PK off the canvas to deny Auckland in Classic

LINDA WOOD

A script writer could not have put it any better as tournament hosts Poneke-Kilbirnie came from behind to beat Auckland United 12-11 in the final of the inaugural men's softball Classic at Hataitai Park yesterday.

It was the only time PK had the lead in a game that went to eight innings.

However, for the side to even be in that situation was a tribute to their never-say-die attitude and self-belief.

It was two over-the-fence hits that decided the game.

"We just had to hit our way out of it," Poneke-Kilbirnie coach Warren Stoddart said. "We had to hit the ball and they came through and did it."

Down 8-4 going into what many thought would be their final turn at bat, PK showed anything was possible, and with national representatives Jerome Raemaki at third, Thomas Makea on second and his younger brother Campbell, on first, into the batting box stepped Thomas Cameron, who until then had had a game he would rather forget. The international had started the afternoon on the pitching mound, but was replaced in the third innings after conceding five runs.

On his previous three visits to the batting box he had failed to hit safely, but that was all forgotten as he delivered his second pitch over the right outfield fence to give his side hope and force the game into a tie-breaker.

However, Auckland United showed they were not prepared to relinquish their advantage without a fight and promptly scored three runs in the eighth inning before being retired.

As the PK batters came out many wondered could the side repeat the previous innings, and when a safe hit from Raemaki scored the tie-breaker supporters again began to believe that ... just maybe.

Again with Tyrone Bartarillo on third, Ramaeki on second, this time it was Thomas Makea who lobbed the ball over the outfield fence to be mobbed by his team-mates as he finished his run around the bases.

"He [United pitcher Bayley Hoani] just made a mistake with the pitch," Makea said.

"I was pleased with the comeback. We just stuck at it."

Just reaching the final had been a mission for the Auckland United side.

Needing three wins to book their place in the final they did just that, first they beat Stoke 9-8, backed that performance up with a 2-1 win over Porirua and then beat Miramar 2-1.

"It was tough on the boys and they just didn't have any fuel left in the tank," Auckland United coach Duncan Enoka said.