For 17 years Fast Pitch Softball Club stalwart Craig Waterhouse had produced a "friendly" draw for his club in the annual North Island Men's Classic, but his troops failed to bring home the bacon.
Waterhouse again delivered a kind draw for the 18th edition of the Classic at the weekend and the Fast Pitch Giants capitalised, pipping the other previously unbeaten team, Poneke Kilbirnie, 5-4 in yesterday's final at Akina Park, Hastings.
In addition to collecting most of the prizemoney in the Just Softball-sponsored event, Giants utility Cameron Willis was named top batter with an average of .689 and former Black Sox hurler Regan Manley shared the top pitcher award with former Hawke's Bay rep Jovaan Hanley, who is one of several former Hawke's Bay reps playing for Poneke Kilbirnie.
Willis, who hit two home runs on Saturday, was thrilled with his and the Giants' form.
"Our whole team batted well," said Willis, 22, who has played for the team for five years.