Softball: United Devils triumph

Christchurch United Devils raced through the Dean Schick Memorial softball series at Rosedale Park unbeaten in five games against New Zealand's strongest teams, beating Auckland Metro 4-2 in the final.

The Devils downed Auckland champion side Ramblers 6-4, then the Schick and New Zealand titleholder Hutt City United 3-2 and Metro 6-0.

In the semifinals Christchurch inched past Wellington side Poneke-Kilbirnie 5-4 and Metro beat off a determined Northcote side 8-4.

Ramblers lost all but the plate semifinal, falling 3-2 to Hutt in that final. Christchurch is now the form side for next month's national championship, in Christchurch.