Women’s Softball Tour Adds Lustre To Tournament

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 7

Women’s Softball Tour Adds Lustre To Tournament

Selection for the New Zealand women’s softball team to compete in the world series in Australia will be the aim of those taking part in the national championship, beginning in Christchurch on Monday. The New Zealand selector, Mr G. Marshall, and coach, Mr H. Atkin, will be present during the tournament.

Canterbury will defend its title for the third time against the other senior A teams, Auckland, Hutt Valley, Wellington, Waikato and Otago. Canterbury has nine of last season’s winning team available under the captaincy of H. Johnson.

The experience of B. Makinson (pitcher) and N. Beale (catcher) will form a dangerous combination. The basewomen, L. Milligan, T. Lutters and the former Auckland representative, B. Turbott, combine speed with safe catching and will give adequate support to the batting. The speedy, M. Hapuku, is expected to show her usual agility at short stop and is another strong batter, as are the outfielders, C. Brown, W. E. Low and L. Leask. Brown’s backing up, Low’s steadiness and Leask’s sense of anticipation will worry the other teams’ stronger hitters. The utility players are C. Mullally and J. Phillips. Of the other teams, Auckland does not appear as strong as in recent years and several of the players will be making their tournament debut. More opposition can be expected from Wellington,

which will capitalise mainly on experience. The return of several experienced players will help Otago to regain some of its strength and Hutt Valley will be led by its New Zealand trialist pitcher, P. Quarterly. Waikato will be captained by the New Zealand second base representative, G. Bezzant. In the B section Canterbury will be attempting to regain the title it lost to Auckland last year.