BEATEN IN PLAY-OFF

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30946, 30 December 1965, Page 11

BEATEN IN PLAY-OFF

Canterbury Relegated

"The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON.

Brilliant softball and many upsets were the order for the third day of the men's national championships at Wellington yesterday. Hutt Valley’s wins over Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui and finally the undefeated Wellington team has left Wellington and Hutt Valley tied In first place, with Auckland one game behind. Canterbury scored two wins, but late in the day was beaten, 2-1, in a play off by Marlborough after the two teams had tied for third place in their section.

Canterbury has now been relegated to the third division, to play for the Ed BanCup, for which it must be rated number one seed.

In its first game, Canterbury gained a 12-0 victory over West Coast, the match being completed in five innings. R. Lewis was in brilliant pitching form, taking seven strike-outs while giving away one walk and no safe hits. A. Mansfield drove a fine home run while B. Waine, M. Napier and T. Smith all batted well. Canterbury also revealed its best fielding form in the tournament.

In its second game Canterbury downed R.N.Z.A.F., also in five innings, 10-0. K. Smith took four strike-outs while giving away one walk and three save hits. Waine, I. Pollock and T. Smith all batted well, with Waine collecting a fine home run. Pollock has proved the most consistent batter in the tournament and probably has the top batting average. Results:

Section A.—Hutt Valley 12, Wanganui 10; Wanganui 6, Hawke’s Bay 2; Otago 4, Auckland 3; Wellington 13, Manawatu 2; Hutt Valley 15, Hawke’s Bay 4; Manawatu 6, Otago 3; Auckland 2, Wanganui 1; Hutt Valley 3, Wellington 1. Section B— Canterbury 12, West Coast 0; Southland 15, Marlborough 5; Army 13, Walrarapa 9; Waikato 10, R.N.Z.A.F. 0; Marlborough 13, Wairarapa 2; Army 14, West Coast 4; Canterbury 10, R.N.Z.A.F. 0: Southland 7. Waikato 6; Marlborough 2, Canterbury 1.