Softball: City teams to challenge Whanganui

SHORTSTOP: Auckland'sDillan McLean towers over Whanganui second baseman Kevin Rennieduring yesterday's clash in the national under 15 softball tournament. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The pack leaders are beginning to emerge after day two of the National Under-15 Boys Softball Tournament in Whanganui yesterday.

Auckland now leads division A and Wellington division B with both sides unbeaten. Auckland, however, are looking sharp and have not had a run scored against them.

After dispatching the traditionally strong Hutt Valley 9-0 on Thursday, Auckland took on Whanganui and monstered them 13-0 yesterday, while Wellington beat Hawkes Bay 9-3 in a crucial match in the morning session.

Tournament convenor Grant Clark said both Auckland and Wellington were made up of large lads standing head and shoulders above many of the boys in opposition.

"These two teams are looking very strong with possibly Auckland having the edge at this stage with no runs scored against them. Hawke's Bay is possibly the best of the rest of the 12 teams competing,' Clark said.

"Whanganui will be learning heaps from these games and shouldn't feel bad about being beaten by teams like Auckland.

"They may have been beaten 13-nil, but to put it perspective Hutt Valley was beaten 9-nil and they are usually very strong."

Play begins from 9am this morning to find who goes through at the top of the respective divisions.

"Unless there's a massive upset Auckland and Wellington look the ones," Clark said.