Tairawhiti show tiebreak mettle

BRING IT ON: Tairawhiti under-15 softballers Brandi Reihana (middle front) and Jesse Hohepa-O’Keefe lay down the challenge to Manawatu before the opening game in the North Island u15 tournament, which started at Waikirikiri Park yesterday. Tairawhiti won the game 12-2.

SMALL in stature, big on heart and skill, that was the Tairawhiti under-15 softball team who opened their North Island u15 tournament with two sensational wins at Waikirikiri Park yesterday.

After beating Manawatu 12-2 in the morning with a performance that co-coach Ray Noble said was the best his side had produced, Noble and supporters endured a rollercoaster of emotions before their side edged Hawke’s Bay 9-8 after a tiebreaker in the afternoon game.

Tairawhiti looked to have the game in the bag when they led 6-2 at the bottom of the sixth and penultimate inning, and supporters began preparing to head home for an early tea. But Hawke’s Bay — needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive — came storming back to lead 8-7 going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

“Come on boys, you can do it . . . take it to a tiebreaker,” shouted one of a group of women encouraging the home team.

That faith was rewarded when pitcher Jesse Hohepa-O’Keefe, who was outstanding on the mound, levelled the scores. The local supporters went wild with delight as the Hawke’s Bay fans and players held their heads in their hands.

“We always knew Hawke’s Bay were going to be tough to beat and they must have thought they had won it after their comeback,” Noble said.

“But if there is one thing we know about this team (Tairawhiti), they are a tough bunch who never give up. They regained their composure and put Hawke’s Bay under pressure.”

In a tiebreaker, both teams start with a man on second base and Hawke’s Bay were first to bat.

“The key to winning the tiebreaker was the double play, which stopped Hawke’s Bay adding to their score,” Noble said.

“All we had to do was score one to win.”

Tairawhiti under-15 softball coach Ray Noble put his fastest player, Treyson Hikitapu-Wilson, on second base in the tiebreaker as he prepared his four top batters — Brandi Reihana, Chleo Reihana-Davis, Corey Boocock and Brooklyn Kingi.

After Reihana was out, Reihana-Davis was walked to first base, which brought Boocock in to bat. With both sets of supporters and players screaming advice to their teams, Boocock held his nerve and got bat on ball to bring Hikitapu-Wilson home.

“It’s been the perfect start in terms of wins,” Noble said.

“But we face two tough games tomorrow (today) against the current national champions Wellington, and Hutt Valley, who beat Wellington.

“There are always individuals who stand out, but I was proud of all the boys today.

“All the hard work and games against senior men’s teams and older age-group teams paid off.”

Results: Tairawhiti 12 Manawatu 2, Hutt Valley 6 Hawke’s Bay 5, Waikato 9 North Harbour 5, Counties Manukau 9 Whanganui 0, Auckland Development 7 North Harbour 6, Auckland Development 10 Counties Manukau 9, Waikato 16 Whanganui 0, Hutt Valley 3 Wellington 1, Tairawhiti 9 Hawke’s Bay 8.