Miramar hit back to avoid upset

Former Black Sox pitcher David Gollan launched Miramar's great escape against Hutt Valley Marist in the men's intercity competition on Saturday.

Marist led 3-1 heading into the seventh inning and were poised for an upset with pitcher Johnson Rahui, a recent recruit from Newlands, on form.

Gollan took over the pitching duties mid-game from his brother Karl who had struggled with a shoulder injury in giving up three early runs.

Miramar tied the game up at 3-3 in the bottom half of the seventh to force the game into a tiebreaker, then scored the deciding run in the bottom half of the 10th to run out winners 4-3.

Gollan said he expected improvement next week against Poneke Kilbirnie.

"We were a bit concerned near the end there," he said.

"Our hitting has been going well until yesterday, but we just had one of those games when we struggled a little bit."

In other games, Giants caused the first upset when they beat Dodgers at South Park in Masterton.

Giants scored three runs in their fifth turn at bat when Terry Waitere came home and Justin Karaitiana hit an automatic home run which also scored Carey Waitere.

Dodgers scored their only run of the game in the third inning when Tyson Burn got home.

Porirua City United made hard work of their win against Cardinals in the late game at Fraser Park, eventually running out winners 4-1.

Poneke Kilbirnie had little trouble against Johnsonville at Alex Moore Park, achieving a 8-1 victory.

Miramar and Te Aroha continue to set the pace in the women's intercity competition with Miramar shutting out Newlands 8-0 at the Polo Ground.

Miramar pitcher Megan Farrell was in outstanding form taking 15 strikeouts in five innings.

At Fraser Park, Te Aroha defeated Hutt City United in another shutout 3-0.

Johnsonville had their first win of the season when they defeated Saints 9-7.

- © Fairfax NZ News