Softball: Bay coach misses winning finale

SHATTERED TROOPS: Hawke's Bay players and coaches display their disappointment after losing yesterday's final. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Heads were bowed, arms were folded and disappointment enveloped their faces.

The Hawke's Bay under-19 boys softball team were a shattered bunch after losing the final of their national tournament 10-4 to Auckland at Akina Park, Hastings yesterday.

They were eager to give their coach Paul Woon a winning farewell as it was his final outing as a Bay coach, before he retires from all coaching in the province at the end of the summer, and for six of the squad it was their final opportunity to win an age grade title.

But Woon, who has coached at rep level for more than 10 years and at club level for almost three decades, had every right to be proud of his lads who finished the four days with seven wins and three losses.

"It was still a bloody good effort. This team was just as good as the 2008 Bay team which won the last under-19 tournament we had here in Hastings. The only difference is they won," Woon said.

An indication of how well they performed was the fact three players, 2016 Junior Black Sox pitcher Adam Woon, second baseman Xavier Herrick and utility Tridan McClutchie, were selected for the tournament team.

Catcher Sam Coldicutt and manager and scorer Lisa Ferguson were selected in the rest side.

McClutchie, Adam Woon and first baseman Manaaki Aranui all hit automatic home runs in the third inning of the final. Their fourth run came in the seventh when Aranui got on base and was hit home by McClutchie.

In their first game yesterday, which Hawke's Bay had to win to reach the final, the hosts beat Wellington 8-5.

Wellington were coached by Hawke's Bay's multiple national titleholder Tom Makea Snr who coached the 2008 Bay team. Herrick and Adam Woon smashed automatic home runs in this victory.

On Saturday Hawke's Bay lost 9-8 to Auckland and 5-0 to Wellington before beating Canterbury 3-1 in another must-win clash. Auckland won all eight of their games.

"Auckland were a class team but we still got to hit the ball against them," Woon added.

Coach Woon and Adam Woon both missed Saturday's loss to Wellington as they were suspended for one game after swearing during the previous game against Auckland.

Members of the New Zealand White Sox Women's training squad played in the tournament in an attempt to experience tougher matchplay as they prepare for the qualification process for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The side, which was coached by Hawke's Bay's Kevin Gettins and included Bay players Rita Hokianga and Melanie Gettins, beat Tairawhiti 8-1 in their last game and finished the 12-team tournament with seven wins and one loss.

Hawke's Bay's under-15 boys team begin their North Island tournament in Gisborne on Thursday. It will continue until Sunday.