Six in women’s softball

Press, 22 October 1976, Page 28

Six in women’s softball

The well-performed Canterbury teams, Bumside, Monowai and United, will be opposed by Wrightcar Royals (Nelson), Great Outdoors (formerly Ellis Park, from Dunedin) and South Canterbury in the Burnside Motors women’s softball tournament at Isleworth School this week-end. Bumside won the first tournament a season ago, with Monowai the runnerup. Without the services of Robyn Storer, Bumside will be relying on the batting strength and experience of Kathleen Noonan, Ranui Hapi, Susannah Carroll and Kerry Rickard. The performances of the promising Valerie Richards, Bernadette Straker and Anthea Feaver will be watched with interest.

United has a balanced side, its attack being headed by Lynette Wilson and Margaret Cormack. They should receive solid backing from Barbara Clark, Heather Craig, Winnie Luke and Heather Thyne. The unbeaten Monowai team continues to benefit from the very experienced pitching of Bev. Makinson and catching of Nancy Beale. They will be supported in the field by Ann Wansbrough, Margaret Machirus, Valerie Keenan, Wicki Martin, Alison Coffey, Sue Dixon, Phillipa McLean and Kathryn Eiffi. The generally young squad. South Canterbury, is expected to perform creditably under the guidance of Ann Crabbe, Valerie Jardine and Norma Loomes. Wrightcar Royals has a

I number of players with repl resentative experience. Jane ■ Miles was chosen for the I New Zealand team to play i Canada last season, but had ■ to withdraw because of inI jury, and Sandra McKenzie, Heather Batchelor, Elizabeth I Seager (who is also a former t Canterbury player), Karen I Connen and Gaile French i have appeared for Nelson. It r is the defending Nelson club ■ title-holder. The Great Outdoors side t also has a national represen- , tative, Ngaio Clyma, and the • successful softball sisters, i Christine and Margaret Hocking. Molly Robson is 5 the coach, and the team also i includes her daughter, Tania, ’ and Judy Irving and Kay , Pilcher, who was in exceptional batting form last i week-end.