Softball: Hutt Valley bat on for softball title

An all-out batting assault helped Hutt Valley to claim the national under-19 women's softball title at Lower Hutt's Fraser Park yesterday.

In what turned out to be something of a local derby, Hutt Valley downed Wellington 8-2. Hutt Valley were always in control after opening up a two-run lead early in the game.

The decisive blow came from the bat of Ngahuia Kapene, who smashed a home run with one runner on base to put the home team ahead by four runs.

Hutt Valley were the form team in the tournament, suffering just one loss during round robin play.