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Learning the haka from the Americans
March 23, 2006 --
By:SHANE HURNDELL of Hawkes Bay Today
Former Black Sox softball pitcher Paul Algar couldn't help but laugh when he joined Hawke's Bay champions Tamatea for this week's national men's interclub tournament in Hastings.
"I'm part Maori and the day I arrive the two Americans in the side offer to teach me the team haka," he said referring to short stop Kyle Van Abel and utility Ric Thompson.
"It's all good though. I'm slowly picking it up as I've seen it done twice, once for Jovaan Hanley after he was named in the Junior Black Sox training squad and once for Rhys Scarfe at his 21st.
"It's all part of the tremendous team spirit the side has and it worked for us yesterday," Algar, 41, said referring to the fact Scarfe Builders Tamatea won both of their Day 1 matches at the tournament which continues until Sunday at Akina Park.
Tamatea beat Otahuhu 6-0 in the first game and Miramar 3-2 in their second. "I was impressed with the poise and patience the boys displayed against Miramar," said Algar.
A Black Sox player from 1999-2003, Algar, has been United States-based for the past 15 years. He has played alongside Van Abel with The Farm team in the States and it was Van Abel who suggested he play for Tamatea this week.
"I love playing in the interclubs and I jumped at the opportunity to come home and play," said Algar who has won the interclubs title several times in the past with Wellington club Poneke Kilbirnie.
"With Hone (Hone Mark Sinnott) and Shaun (Shaun Marino) there's plenty of hot competition for time on the mount for this Tamatea side. And that's how I like it," he added.
The other Bay team in the 24-team tournament, Hawke's Bay Harvest, lost 5-2 to Hutt City United and 15-0 to Porirua. Numerous upsets were a feature of yesterday's play with Giants of Wairarapa causing the biggest with a 7-0 win over Auckland Marist.
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St Michael's Magic slays the Giants of Tarewa - despite the rain
March 13, 2006 --
Blake Purcell hit an automatic home run to win Rotorua Softball's Champion of Champions title. Picture: Ben Fraser
By KRISTIN EDGE
Blake Purcell certainly knows when to hit form - and an automatic home run.
The 18-year-old sent the fluorescent yellow softball rocketing over the boundary to secure Marist Saint Michael's third consecutive Rotorua Softball Champion of Champions title on Saturday.
"It's the first one I have hit here in front of a home crowd and it's a great feeling," said the Waikato University first-year student.
"As soon as I hit it I knew it was gone."
Magic managed to head off Tarewa Giants in an exciting 2-0 game that could have swung either way at Rotorua's International Stadium.
Purcell's impressive hit came in the seventh and final innings of the game.
Giants pitcher Vaughan Grey was on the mound and has made the season tough for Purcell.
"He [Grey] has owned me all season. I haven't got one hit against him but today I got bat on ball," Purcell said.
Seasoned Magic player Jason Gerbes said the home run by Purcell was "an insurance run" late in the game.
"You can never think you've got it in the bag against a team like the Giants so to get that run at that stage of the game made it just a bit harder for them to come back at us."
Giants co-coach Tai Tait said his young side were a bit tense and were not used to playing in front of such a big and vocal crowd.
"We were proud to make the final. Apart from the early error it was a tight game to the end. It was one error and one big hit that was the difference," Tait said.
"It's a young side but it's a home grown team."
Argentine import Sebastian Gervasutti managed to put the first run on the board for the defending champions Magic only minutes into the first innings.
A well placed hit hugged the ground to the outfield but two errors by the Tarewa Giants saw Gervasutti jog leisurely across home base.
For the next few innings it was a pitching dual with Gervasutti and Grey stamping their mark squarely on the game with a series of strikeouts.
In the bottom of the fifth innings a heavy rain shower sent the crowd scuttling for shelter in the grandstand and saw the players retreat to their dugouts
But after five minutes with both teams keen to play, the game resumed.
In the sixth innings Marist positioned themselves well with import Santiago Lataire, also from Argentine, poised on third base and Gerbes on second.
But Grey responded to the pressure by striking out Magic's Eric Short.
As the tension heightened the volume from the supporters increased.
At the top of the seventh it was Purcell that clinched the title for Magic with an impressive automatic home run.
But the Giants battled on and gave the crowd the sense the game was not over.
With one Giant player out BJ Hohepa slammed a hit into the outfield and and made it to second base. However, the following two Giant's batters Eddie Tait and Shaun Tamai succumbed to the rocket pitches being unleashed by Gervasutti which ended the 2 hour 15 minute encounter.
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Seb slams his way to best at tournament
February 2, 2006 --
Stroy by Kristen Edge @ The Daily Post
Argentine pitcher Sebastian Gervasutti is wasting no time adjusting to softball in New Zealand.
The 22-year-old joined Rotorua's Marist St Michael's Magic side just three weeks ago and already he has played a major part in the club's biggest tournament win to date.
Magic won the prestigious Rehe Joseph Memorial Fastpitch Softball tournament in Hamilton last weekend.
Gervasutti showed his class by collecting the batting, pitching and Most Valuable Player titles after an outstanding all-round performance.
Captain Jason Gerbes said Gervasutti had settled in his New Zealand home and was marking it loud and clear he meant business.
Gervasutti hit an amazing .667 batting average with eight runners batted in on the back of four power home runs, to take out the batting title, which is unusual for a pitcher.
He placed second on the tournament runners batted in list, just behind teammate Wayne Norman.
The great stint with a bat did not distract Gervasutti from his primary job as he fanned 42 batters by way of strikeouts from the pitching mound.
Gervasutti's earned run average, of 0.03, gave him the full wrap of awards as the tournament's top pitcher.
"I felt the team played well this weekend, and I am very happy with my performance.
"I enjoy the chance to bat and show my game in this way," a modest Gervasutti said.
Magic last played this tournament four years ago and produced a disappointing performance with eight straight losses.
Gerbes said the goal was clear this year: "It was to win the title, and re-establish the Marist St Michael's club fine name in softball."
The win came on the back of a bronze medal performance at the Braves tournament in Wanganui, where the team smashed in 40 runs, 11 courtesy of the long ball.
The defence allowed only two runs and 50 strikeouts came from Gervasutti and Shane Hunuhunu.
This Waitangi weekend Magic will compete at Simpson Park in Auckland for the annual Brother Patrick Fastpitch tournament, hosted by Auckland Marist Ball Club.
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December 19, 2005 --
You're out: Marist catcher Blake Purcell stops Falcons player Justin Timoti.
The sun comes out for Eric Short
Story by KRISTIN EDGE and Courtesy of Daily Post
Once the rain clouds cleared it was easy to see Eric Short's two automatic home runs rocket into the Rotorua International Stadium grandstand.
The wet weather of the last two weekends finally eased yesterday allowing a few catch-up games to be played.
Saturday was a washout with all the day's games postponed due to heavy overnight rain.
But lining up for MSM Magic Short was not out of practise with the bat. He smashed his first automatic home run in the first innings which also saw fellow team mate Argentinean import Santiago Lataire scampered home.
Not to be outdone Falcons also scored first up with Justin Timoti firing the ball out over first base to allow Anaru O'Callaghan to dash home.
Timoti also made a determined sprint for home base but was unable to slide past the watchful Magic catcher Blake Purcell.
The second on Short's impressive monster hits came in the fifth innings. Following his side's convincing 10-1 win yesterday. Short said the team had been chomping at the bit to get back out and continue with club games.
"We were keen to get out here on Saturday for a double header but the rain just didn't let up," he said.
Short was surprised by the score line and said he had expected a closer tussle.
"It was one of our better team performances. Defensively we have been good through the season but today it was good to get the bat going."
The fifth innings cemented Magic's win which saw Lee Clarke, Blake Purcell, Dwayne Bishop and Dwayne Tapson all cross home base.
But the increasing score line and occasional shower failed to dampen the spirit of the Falcon side who continued to whoop encouragement every time one of their players stepped up to bat.
Magic pitcher Jason Gerbes faced 26 batters, pitched eight strikeouts and conceded four walks while the pitching duties for Falcons was shared by Stephen and Laurie Winiata.
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Daily Post - MSM Magic swings into action
November 21, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Courtesy of The Daily Post - www.dailypost.co.nz
Defending club champions MSM Magic picked up where they left off last summer when the penultimate round of the Rotorua softball competition swung into action on Saturday.
Magic emerged as victors at the Rotorua International Stadium following an 8-3 win over Tokoroa Shotz and will now meet an unbeaten Fordlands side in this weekend's final for the Round One men's trophy.
Magic enjoyed a strong start to their game on Saturday notching up three runs in the opening innings thanks to Austin Gear, Duane Bishop and Eric Short - the latter who came home following strong batting by Lee Clarke.
Shotz endured a scratchy second innings - being shut down by strong Magic fielding, but hit their straps in the third when Steve Petley came home taking the score to 3-1. Shotz continued to counter any opposition attacks until Short smashed the ball onto the roof of the Stadium recording the first of his team's two automatic home runs for the day.
Seventeen year-old right fielder Blake Purcell, who has played most of this season as catcher, put the finishing touches on his team's victory when he hit the ball into right field to advance Clarke home for his team's eighth and final run of the day.
Gerbes faced 27 batters, pitched six strikeouts and conceded two walks and three runs while Shotz pitcher Rob Wiki faced 26 batters, pitched six strikeouts and conceded four walks and eight runs.
Magic will now face off against Fordlands at 11am on Saturday morning - but the competition is expected to be fierce. Firstly Fordlands, who recorded a convincing 8-0 win over Waiohau at the weekend, are in top form this season having won all their games - including a 7-5 win over Magic - in both the RSA club competition and the Super Six Tournament. Secondly Magic will be determined to win the trophy back after being pipped 2-1 by Waiohau in last year's nailbiting round one trophy final.
Meanwhile round one of the women's competition came to a close at the weekend with Waiohau enjoying a 7-3 victory over Ngati Hinekura to take the round one winner's trophy. On points Mitchells finished second overall and Hinekura third.
Tokoroa team Shooters won the division two women's trophy with Strikers second.
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Daily Post - Buzzards blitzed
November 15, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Courtesy of The Daily Post - www.dailypost.co.nz
Buzzards blitzed.
Waiohau softball team used their hard hitting superiority to stunning effect on Saturday when they beat Buzzards 12-2 at the Rotorua International Stadium.
The red and blacks won the battle up front in the round four premier women's clash leading 8-0 at the top of the fourth innings thanks to strong batting and swift running by Megan Kino, Shelley Pene, Elaine Savage, Valerie Natana and Sarah Natana.
The shell-shocked Buzzards struggled to fire on attack after being kept in check by strong fielding from their opposition until pitcher Paritia Temoana and Lillian Thomas came home in the bottom of the fourth putting valuable points on the table.
Temoana and catcher Junette Puturanui tried in vein to nullify Waiohau, but the 2003 champions made the most of every scoring opportunity and clocked up a further four runs in the fifth innings - taking their final score to 12.
Temoana faced 30 batters and conceded two walks while Waiohau pitcher Valerie Natana faced 17 batters, pitched two strikeouts and conceded one walk.
Meanwhile 2004 premier one runners-up, Ngati Hinekura, enjoyed a convincing 13-2 win over Waikite. The win, along with Waiohau's, earns them a three-way top of the table tie with Mitchells.
Last year's men's club champions MSM Magic continued their good run of form on the diamond after beating Tarewa Giants 10-5 while Fordlands also kept their unbeaten winning streak in check with a 13-1 victory over Panahome. MSM Magic and Fordlands are now the only two unbeaten men's teams in the competition.
* See tomorrow's Daily Post for the latest on the Super Six Tournament.
* Round four of the Rotorua Softball Association's senior club competition.
Women's premier one:
Waikite 2, Ngati Hinekura 13; Buzzards 2, Waiohau 12; Mitchells v Hakuna Matata - no score recorded.
Women's premier two:
Pikiao v Fordlands - no score recorded; Shooters 4, Strikers 0.
Men's:
Waiohau v Mitchells - no score recorded; Waikite 7, Falcons 4; Fordlands 13, Panahome, 1; Shotz 5, Matata Stirling 0; Whakarewarewa v Tarewa Giants - no score recorded; Tarewa Giants 5, MSM Magic 10; Buzzards 4, Mavericks 3; Whakarewarewa 8, Falcons 10
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NZ Herald - Seasoned pro Wilson returns to the Black Sox
November 7, 2005 --
Former Black Sox and professional baseball player Travis Wilson has returned to the national softball fold.
Wilson's inclusion in the 25-man training squad named by coach Eddie Kohlase yesterday was the main feature after Wilson ended a stint with the Atlanta Braves last year.
He spent seven years with the Braves but did not break into the major league.
Wilson, 27, last played for the Black Sox when they won the 1996 world championships, but he returned to New Zealand last year and started playing club championships.
It was proving increasingly difficult for foreign players to get international visas to play in the United States.
While that killed his baseball dreams, the return of the hitter has been welcomed by Kohlase.
"Travis is a seasoned professional and he has been involved in professional sport for nearly a decade," Kohlase said.
"We will be keen to utilise all his experience and knowledge. Travis is keen to be involved in softball again and being part of the Black Sox is something he would dearly love to contribute to again."
The squad also features four new players in Todd Grego, Corey Matakatea, Bernard Hale and Vaero Hagai (all from Wellington) and experienced hands such as captain Jarrad Martin and Marty Grant were also included.
The squad have a training camp in Upper Hutt from October 13 to October 16.
In early December they face Samoa in four matches before heading to Australia in late January for the six-team Commonwealth Cup tournament.
Black Sox training squad
Pitchers: Marty Grant (Nelson), Thomas Cameron (Auckland), Tane Richardson (Hutt Valley), Vaero Hagai (Wellington), Jarrad Martin (Wellington).
Catchers: Patrick Shannon (Auckland), Lyndon Andrews (Auckland), Bevan Martin (Wellington).
Infield: Rhys Casley (Hutt Valley), Nathan Nukunuku (Auckland), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Craig Wallace (Wellington), David Butler (Manawatu), Travis Wilson (Canterbury), Stephen Ratu (Wellington).
Outfield: Thomas Makea (Wellington), Stacy McLean (Wellington), Chris Eden-Huria (Wellington), Damian McCulloch (Wellington), Daniel Milne (Canterbury), Bernard Hale (Auckland), Taifau Matai (Auckland), Fabian Makea (Wellington), Todd Grego (Wellington), Corey Matakatea
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Daily Post - Fordlands determined to shrug off bridesmaid tag
November 7, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Fordlands have sent a clear warning to their opponents this year - they mean business.
After finishing runners-up in their respective grades in the Rotorua Softball Association's senior club competition for the past three years, Fordlands are determined to shrug off their bridesmaid tag.
And so far their plan is working.
The Colin Unuwai coached side notched up their third win in the club competition - and their fifth for the season - on Saturday following a spirited 6-4 performance over Buzzards at the Rotorua International Stadium.
Battling blustery but warm conditions, Fordlands scored five of their six runs in an action packed first innings while pitcher Shane Hunuhunu was impressive on the mound facing 21 batters, pitching nine strikeouts and conceding only one walk.
In comparison Buzzard's Quinn MacDonald faced 26 batters, pitched four strikeouts and conceded one walk and one intentional walk.
Buzzards put an early two points on the table when MacDonald and Jake Green both slid home, while Fordlands endured a shaky start to the opening innings when their opening batsman were struck and caught out respectively.
However it didn't take long for Fordlands to spark into action thanks to the lively performance by Hori Jolley who ran bases with ease, and finally came home thanks to a hard hitting drive by catcher Neville Blackmore. Blackmore also brought home Vic Reihana, before coming home himself, followed by his speedy teammates - taking the score to 5-2.
Strong fielding by Buzzards kept their opposition scoreless until the bottom of the third when Hunuhunu dramatically slid into base, much to the delight of the small but vocal crowd.
However Buzzards never gave up - notching up a run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings - and in the process making the orange and blacks work overtime on defence. Fordland's 6-4 victory, came off the back of an impressive hit out two weeks ago when they beat Waikato team Melville 2-0 and fellow Sulphur City side MSM Magic 7-5 in the opening round of the Super Six Tournament in Tauranga.
It also places them top of the men's leaderboard with MSM Magic after the latter recorded a 5-2 victory over Waikite on Saturday.
In other men's section one games Shotz went down 5-3 to Whakarewarewa and 5-0 to Tarewa Giants in their season double header.
After being narrowly beaten 5-3 by Mitchells in a tiebreaker last weekend, Ngati Hinekura bounced back to top form with an 8-3 victory over Hakauna Matata while Mitchells continued their winning form notching up a close 2-0 victory over Buzzards.
While round four of the senior club competition continues this Saturday, round two of the Super Six competition will be hosted by the Sulphur City on Sunday.
The three-round tournament has attracted the top two men's and women's teams from the Western Bay, Waikato and Rotorua.
* Round three results from the Rotorua Softball Assocation's senior club competition.
Men: Waiohau 6, Panahome 0; Waikite 2, MSM Magic 5; Shotz 0, Tarewa Giants 5; Mitchells 7, MSM Mavericks 2; Whakarewarewa 5, Shotz 3; Fordlands 6, Buzzards 4; Falcons 7, Matata Stirling Sports 0.
Women Premier One: Mitchells 2, Buzzards 0; Waiohau 3, Waikite 4; H/Matata 3, Ngati Hinekura 8.
Women Premier Two: Strikers 7, Pikiao 0; Shooters 10, MSM Maidens 4.
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Daily Post - Softball magicians are turning to computers
October 7, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Courtesy of The Daily Post - www.dailypost.co.nz
Marist St Michaels Magic are going high tech this summer.
The 2004 Rotorua men's softball club champions, who begin their season campaign at the Rotorua International Stadium tomorrow, have established their own website and are looking forward to sending their team spirit into cyber space.
Second base Austin Gear, who has a degree in computing systems, worked alongside team-mate and catcher Jason Gerbes on developing what is believed to be New Zealand's only softball club website. They have made sure all club members and fans can keep up to date with weekly results, player statistics and profiles, photos and the team's schedule.
There is also an online voting poll for fans to nominate who will hit the most home runs this season.
In the last six weeks the site has received 1500 hits and inadvertently become a recruitment tool for potential imports.
"The website provides a portal for international players to get an inside feel for what the team is about," said Gerbes. "We've found it to be extremely useful and it's helped us save a lot of time marketing."
It's also helped the team spark into life ahead of tomorrow's opening club round which will see MSM Magic take on competition newcomers Matata. MSM Magic will be spearheaded by a number of seasoned performers including pitcher Phil Ngawaka, second base Gear, first base Lee Clark, catcher Gerbes, centre field Eric Short and infield Duane Bishop. Also returning to the fold is 17-year-old right fielder Blake Purcell, who made his debut for the team last season, and third base Dwayne Tapson.
Gerbes said one exciting new inclusion in this year's line up is Rotorua-based Richard de Graaf - a former baseball player - and negotiations are underway for two imports. Gerbes said the team has received interest from players in Canada, the Czech Republic, United States and Argentina, as well as bites from last year's imports Jordie Gagnon and Santiago Lataire.
"We're still weighing up our options and will make sure our imports add value to the team and to the local competition," he said.
While MSM Magic has set themselves two goals this season - an unprecedented three-peat in the Rotorua competition and a top ten finish in the New Zealand club nationals - they are aware competition will be fierce on the diamond. This year's slightly modified men's league has been broken into two sections of six teams featuring a mixture of 2004 premier one and two teams.
Rotorua Softball Association operations manager Junette Putaranui said with only three returning teams entered in premier two, the association decided to "make it interesting" for all men's teams and have one division.
Included in this are 2004 runner-up Fordlands, Tarewa Giants, Waiohau, up-coming team Waikite, returning teams Falcons, who will be captained by Laurie Winiata, and Mitchells, new comers Matata, 2004 division two champs Buzzards and runner-up MSM Mavericks, Whaka and last year's surprise team of the season Tokoroa Shotz.
"It will be interesting showcase of old and new teams this year," said Putaranui.
While the women's competition is without last year's premier one champions All Stars, who disbanded this season, it features six division one and two teams including 2004 runner-up Ngati Hinekura and premier two champs Hakuna Matata. Waiohau A and Mitchells will take to the diamond at 10am in the opening women's P1 match while Shooters and Waiohau Development will slug it out in P2.
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Daily Post - Softballers poised for league action
October 14, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Courtesy of The Daily Post - www.dailypost.co.nz
It will be a case of take two for the Rotorua Softball Association's senior club competition tomorrow.
After last weekend's season opener was cancelled because of poor weather, a repeat of the opening round draw will be played at the Rotorua International Stadium from 10am tomorrow.
Rotorua Softball Association operations manager Junette Putaranui was hoping for fine weather to ensure the first pitch of the season could officially get under way. She was also interested in seeing how this year's slightly modified men's league would shape up.
Putaranui said the league had been broken into two sections of six teams featuring a mixture of 2004 premier one and two teams.
She said with only three premier two teams returning to the fold this year, the association decided to "make it interesting" and include these teams in division one.
Included in the line up are: the 2004 Rotorua men's softball club champions Marist St Michael's Magic; last year's runner-up Fordlands; Tarewa Giants; Waiohau; youthful side Waikite; new comers Matata; 2004 division two champs Buzzards; runner-up MSM Mavericks; Whaka; last year's surprise team of the season Tokoroa Shotz, and Falcons and Mitchells who will return to the league after not fielding a team last season.
"It will be interesting showcase of old and new teams this year," said Putaranui.
MSM Magic will aim for an unprecedented three-peat in the Rotorua competition this year as well as a top ten finish in the New Zealand club nationals.
Meanwhile the women's competition has been left wide open after 2004 premier one champions All Stars opted not to field a team this season.
Instead some of their players will take to the diamond representing other teams and potentially bolster their chances of taking the title.
Instead premier one will feature Waikite, 2004 premier two champs Hakuna Matata, Buzzards, 2004 runner-up Ngati Hinekura, Waiohau A and Mitchells. Premier two will include Shooters, Waiohau Development, Strikers, Fordlands, Pikiao and MSM Maidens.
Waiohau A and Mitchells will take to the diamond at 10am in the opening women's P1 match while Shooters and Waiohau Development will slug it out in P2.
Meanwhile the Rotorua Softball Association's junior competition gets under way at the Westbrook fields tomorrow morning. The popular competition caters for children from 10 years of age.
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Daily Post - Big hitout for softballers
October 21, 2005 --
By KATIE FARMAN Courtesy of The Daily Post - www.dailypost.co.nz
Marist St Michaels Magic catcher Jason Gerbes will take to the diamond for Poneke Kilbirnie in this weekend's Doreen Doltan softball tournament in Wellington.
Gerbes will be hoping to put in some early season form for the Wellington based team who are looking to topple defending champions Mirimar in the four-day tournament, which is celebrating its 10th year in the current format. Gerbes, who is starting catcher, will be joined by Stacy McLean, Craig Wallace and veteran Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant in the team but faces tough competition from 2004/05 national club champions Ramblers of Auckland, Hutt Valley Cardinals, Porirua and Johnsonville in their section.
While Miramar has drawn the same section as Hutt City United, Northcote, Hutt Valley Dodgers, Giants and Stoke of Nelson.
Gerbes said with the Rotorua Softball Association's senior club competition not being played this weekend it was important to get in some valuable game time.
Host team Hutt City United open the tournament tonight at Fraser Park when they take on Hutt Valley Dodgers.
Hutt City's Brent Dalton said while the tournament was early in the season it was a good early hit out for the teams and with some of the best club sides in the country attending, high quality softball is expected.
Some of the stars expected to be on show over the weekend include New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox captain Jarrad Martin turning out for Northcote along with fellow international Brad Rona. Leading the way for Ramblers will be Black Sox pitcher Thomas Cameron along with Nathan Nukunuku and Travis Wilson while Porirua is expected to be strong with experienced internationals in their line-up such including Thomas and Fabian Makea, Gene Lutton and new Black Sox pitcher Tane Richardson.
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Marist St Michael Magic
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