Softball BEATTY CUP

Press, Volume C, Issue 29707, 28 December 1961, Page 11

Softball BEATTY CUP

Two Unbeaten Teams (N.Z Press Association) WANGANUI, Dec. 27 Hutt Valley and Wellington. two perennial rivals in men’s softball, were the only unbeaten teams after the second day’s play in the national Beatty Cup interprovincial tournament today. Wtllington advanced in favouritism for the title by convincingly beating Auckland. 4The holder erf the trophy, Auckland, was no match for the superior all-round form erf the Wellington team. Hutt Valley maintained its winning form with a decisive 5- victory over the previously unbeaten Wanganui side. In both key games the winners took firm control and impressed as much better teams. Auckland, however. had its chance in the fifth innings. When trailing. 0-2. it had the bases loaded with only one out. With smart fielding. Wellington got itself out of trouble and once having stopped this Auckland threat picked up two further runs. In spite of the good conditions the standard of play was disappointing because of the large number of errors. It is significant that the two teams making the fewer errors, Wellington and Hutt Valley, are in the lead. Results were’— Fourth Round.—Wanganui 4. Canterbury 3: Waikato 14. Otago 2; Hutt Valley It. West Coast 0: Auckland 11. Rotorua 1; Wellington 12. Southland 0. Fifth Round —Hutt Valiev 5. Wanganui 0; Otago 21 West Coast 7: Canterbury 6. Waikato 3. Manawatu 3. Southland 1; Wellington 4. Auckland 0. Sixth Round. —Wanganui 9. Rotorua 2: Southland 3. Otago 2. Manawatu 13. West Coast 19: Wellington S. Waikato 2; Auckland T, Canterbury 4.