Mixed success for Schollum, Hayes

Marlborough's two players at the national open men's softball championships in Christchurch, Kurt Schollum and Dylan Hayes, had mixed success yesterday.

Playing for Nelson's Stoke Eagles, Schollum batted one from one, making first base in their 0-9 loss to Auckland United. In game two, he brought two runners home with a first-base hit in a 5-2 win over Demons from Invercargill. A knee injury has prevented Schollum from pitching.

Playing for Hutt Valley Cardinals, Hayes' highlight was a home run in a 9-0 win over Dodgers from Dunedin. Cardinals lost to Canterbury's Richmond Keas 6-2 in their tie-breaker.

Black Sox player Nathan Nukunuku's late innings heroics broke Richmond Keas' hearts in the playoffs yesterday.

Richmond needed just two outs to win the game in the bottom of the seventh but Ramblers rallied when Michael Cameron beat out a throw to first base for an infield single. Then up stepped Nukunuku. The Ramblers' leadoff slammed a triple to right field to score Cameron and take the game into extra innings.

Nukunuku again made the difference, nudging a two-base hit to drive in both runners for a thrilling 6-5 overtime win.

Ramblers are bidding to equal a record of four consecutive national club titles. The PCU Devils are Canterbury's great hope and remain unbeaten after ending pool play with a crushing 11-1 win over Northcote.

Three Auckland clubs, Ramblers, Waitakere Bears and Auckland United, qualified for the top eight NZCT Plaque section along with Canterbury's PCU and Richmond, Hutt Valley sides Dodgers and Marist and Wellington champions Miramar.

- The Marlborough Express