HOROWHENUA SOFTBALL

Chronicle (Levin), 13 January 1949, Page 7

HOROWHENUA SOFTBALL

Two Women Players Reach Dominion Trials

The Horowhenua women's softball representatives have just returned from Wellington where tlie Bensal Cup championship was played over three days. Another purpose of the tournament' was to give the North Island selectors a chance to see all the best of New ' Zealand's talent on one field. The play generally was of very high standard and forecasts well for the Australian tour by the New Zealand | womens' rep. team.* , Although Horowhenua missed re- 1 presentation, two players, Mrs. V. I Skilton and Miss B. Hakaraia wer.e given the opportunity to prove themselves in the trials, which is very creditable for such a small association. Miss Hakaraia was the most popular player at the tournament and received "a hand" every time she went up to hat. Here is a resume of the games , played and some notes on the play- 1 ers: — , Horowhenua 3 v. Manawatu 11: ! An exceedingly poor game, the j main cause being nervousness and| consequently poor throwing and batting. Ihe pitching was just too good. Horowhenua 3 v King-Country 6: In this game the fielding was much better. The opposition scored "four ; 1 of their six runs in the first in- j nings. j Horowhenua 1 v. Auckland 22 : In this game our players were hope- . lessly outclassed. Nervousness was]' again apparent.

Horowhenua 6 v. Wellington 5: Batting was much improved and the opposition more in keeping with the class of our players. This game was the curtain-raiser to the game between the tournament finalists, Manawatu and Wanganui. Horowhenua 11 v. Wellington B 12: This game was played by popular request. as a curtain raiser to the Possible-Probables game. It was very exciting, especially wheni in the last innings the score was 12 1 — 6 and Horowhenua gradualiy j crept up to Wellington's score. The game was more exciting than] the trial game. j The Players Mrs. V. Skilton, as captain ?n pitcher, had a big responsibility, which she took very calmly. Herj pitching was splendid, only giving two walks in all games. Her batting was poor. Miss J. Hakaraia, as catcher, was first class, as was her throwing to second base. At 13 years, she was the youngest player at the tourna-j ment. - , Miss H. Johnson was also a good catcher and' a » reliable hitter, especially when there was a run- ; ner to come home. Miss M. Enoka was a grand first base, but her batting was extremely weak. Mrs. M. Gardiner knows her game very well at second base, but her hitting is. poor. j

Miss T. Warren, at third base, has the capabilities of a good player. She needs more knowledge ofj the game and also quicker move- ! ment in her tagging of base run- 1 ners. Her throwing is splendid. Miss R. Johnson as short stop : player was sound in her position, and she took some good catches j Miss B. Hakaraia, at left outfield, i was the outstanding player of the j team. Her batting and catching | deserved her nomination in thej trials. Miss J. Bird, centre outfielder, and Miss N. Harris, right outfielder, were very weak and undid much of the good work of other j members of the team. Slowness of movement appears to be their main fault.

General Remarks The rep. uniform, worn for the first time in 'Wellington, was commented on very favourably, as was the team's behaviour on and off the field. The team was the most popular in the tournament and this observer heard it mentioned time and again what a good approach the girls had to the game and the wonderful soirit in which their losses were accepted. If the team is to be faulted at all, it was their slowness in taking the field and the captain must take the responsibility for that. It was very obvious that the team had had little practice tiogether, and throwing between bases was not nearly hard enough. Competition games will recommence on Saturday.