Cameron leads Wellington to softball title

Thomas Cameron's decision to move to Wellington in a bid to reignite his softball career paid off today at the national fast-pitch championships in Christchurch.

The former Aucklander sparked Wellington to a 7-0 win in five innings over Canterbury in today's final, helping Wellington win their first national provincial title since 2006.

It was not just from the pitching mound, where he gave up only one hit and took six strikeouts, that he did the damage. Cameron picking up three hits from as many turns at bat, including an over-the-fence blow in the third inning.

Cameron was not the only Wellington player to take the easy way around the bases with Thomas Makea, Wayne Laulu and Frank Pointon also hitting home runs.

Meanwhile, in the final of the women's competiton Hutt Valley took their fourth consecutive national title when they beat Auckland 6-0.

Ahead 1-0 after the third inning, it was not until the fifth that Hutt Valley re-opened their run scoring account. But the runs came quickly after that, with Cindy Potae, Katrina Stockford and Alisha Manley all scoring in that inning.

In the sixth, Api Stone and Potae crossed to put the game beyond Auckland's reach.

While the Hutt Valley batters did their jobs well, pitcher Sheree Cartwright was also impressive, giving up just three hits in the final.

Men:

Canterbury 13 Hutt Valley 11, Wellington 2 Canterbury 1, Hutt Valley 2 North Harbour 1. Play-off for fifth: Southern Pride 2 Auckland 1.

Final: Wellington 7 Canterbury 0.

Final standings: Wellington 1, Canterbury 2, Hutt Valley 3, North Harbour 4, Southern Pride 5, Auckland 6.

AWARDS

Top Batter: Scott Cartwright (Southern Pride)
Top Pitcher: Thomas Cameron (Wellington)
Most Valuable Player: Gareth Cook (Canterbury)

Women:

Wellington 10 Southern Pride 0, Auckland 5 Canterbury 1. Play-off for third: Wellington 1 Canterbury 0.

Final: Hutt Valley 6 Auckland 0.

Final standings: Hutt Valley 1, Auckland 2, Wellington 3, Canterbury 4, Southern Pride 5.

AWARDS

Top batters: Tuhi Cooper (Auckland), Brooke Cutting (Wellington)
Top Pitcher: Megan Farrell (Wellington)
Most Valuable Player: Cindy Potae (Hutt Valley)

- NZPA