Devils in the detail of a successful dynasty

The PCU Devils' proven ability to peak in the playoffs delivered another premier men's softball title and cemented their reputation as one of the most successful dynasties in Canterbury club sport.

Their 2009-10 Eureka Trust Cup triumph was their 26th title since their first under the United banner in the 1972-73 season.

PCU trailed arch-rivals Richmond Keas for most of the regular season but beat them convincingly twice during finals weekend in a fine dress rehearsal for the national interclub tournament in Christchurch tomorrow.

The Devils dumped Richmond 5-1 in yesterday's final at Mainland Foundation Ballpark to follow up Saturday's 3-1 win.

Japanese pitcher Ryota Tanaka was PCU's hero, holding Richmond to four safe hits on Saturday and six in the final. The diminutive but deadly hurler bounced back from a couple of round-robin routs against the Richmond batters.

He took six strikeouts on Saturday and five yesterday in his farewell appearance on the Canterbury diamond.

Darren Davies slugged an automatic home run and batted in another run in Saturday's win over Richmond and Daniel Milne put one over the fence in a 20-0 rout of Papanui.

The Devils put a stranglehold on yesterday's decider, with Davies, Brad Annandale and Gareth Cook scoring in the top of the first inning after a safe bunt by Annandale and hits from Cook and Paul deLatour. Milne doubled in the third inning and scored after a bunt by Cook and another centrefield single swatted by deLatour.

PCU leapt out to a 5-0 lead when Scott Dale thumped a three-bagger in the fourth inning and scored on a Davies drive. Matt Holmes hit safely to score a consolation run for Richmond in the bottom of the fifth. The Devils outbatted Richmond 10 hits to six with deLatour batting two from four for a 1.000 average and Blair Murphy supplying two rightfield singles at No7 in the order. Phil Mountford (with a double) got Richmond's only extra-base hit. Canterbury Red Sox senior pitcher Nathan Taikato gave up seven hits for Richmond before making way for Aiden Cocker.

PCU are seeded third in the 24-team national competition which kicks off tomorrow at Mainland ballpark. Defending champions Ramblers and Miramar are the top seeds. Richmond Keas are ranked fifth. Richmond qualified for the Canterbury club final with a 5-0 win over Papanui. Papanui beat Albion 6-0 and Richmond shut out Albion 9-0.

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