Giants show their mettle

HEAVY HITTER: Contrary to his slight built, Blair Thompson is fast becoming a heavy hitter belting two home runs for Giants at the weekend.

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A young-looking Giants side wasted little time shaking off their underdog status, scoring a win in the Intercity Softball Competition in Masterton.

And with the home advantage again this Saturday, the Masterton club will be aiming to make it back-to-back victories which will put them on course for another strong showing in the top ranked competition.

Having lost the earlier (Hutt Valley Premier One) match 8-6 against highly fancied Hutt Valley Dodgers, Giants balanced the ledger winning the all-important Intercity clash 3-1.

Pitcher Richard Clarke said given the quality of opposition and testing circumstances, it was a top result for his side.

Giants have arguably the youngest team in the competition with two players  Campbell Gaunt and Danny Brown  16 years of age and several others hovering around the 20-year mark.

But age proved no barrier against the heavyweight Dodgers, who, in controversial circumstances, went 1-nil ahead in the fourth innings. Giants hit back in the sixth when Danny Brown worked his way to second after cashing in on a wayward throw. Terry Waitere then hit one into the outfield to bring Brown home and level the scores.

With Waitere on second base, Justin Karaitiana stepped up and belted Reagan Manly over the fence to make it 3-1. Clarke pitched three strike outs in the final innings to wrap it up.

Earlier, Blair Thompson hit two home runs, including a three-run hit, as Giants lost 8-6.

Giants lost their opening match in the competition the previous weekend 3-2 to Porirua. They host Johnsonville on Saturday, arguably the weakest side in the eight team competition. Johnsonville were beaten 8-1 by Poneke Kilbirnie on Saturday.

The premier one side's victory capped off a "fantastic day" for the club with four of the other five sides winning. The under-13s won 22-2, under-15s 7-3, under-18s 17-0, and women 10-nil. The Presidents were the only side to lose, going down 10-nil.

This week's match Giants v Johnsonville, 3pm Saturday, November 14, South Park Masterton.

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