Positives for NZ selectors despite no final spot

[Al Doran]

Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2006 20:44:59 +1300
From: Vance <vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: Positives for NZ selectors despite no final spot



Positives for NZ selectors despite no final spot
Monday February 6th 2006

There was a distinct lack of New Zealand representation in the final of the 
Trans Tasman International Women’s Series at Resthills Park, Hamilton this 
afternoon but that fact is not a major concern for New Zealand Community 
Trust White Sox coach Mike Walsh.

The four team series saw Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand Red and 
New Zealand Black contest a double round robin ahead of the playoffs this 
afternoon. Australia took out the final over New South Wales 5-3 to claim 
the trophy and maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament.

With two New Zealand selection sides taking to the diamond over the four 
day tournament the series has been something of a trial with the world 
championships in China in August in mind.

Despite having no New Zealand teams in the final NZCT White Sox coach Mike 
Walsh who also coached the New Zealand Black team this weekend believes 
there are positives to take out of the series.

Both the Red and Black teams picked up two wins each in the series 
including victories over New South Wales. Also today the New Zealand Black 
side pushed eventual title winners and Olympic silver medallists Australia 
hard.

The New Zealand team were three outs away from claiming victory over 
Australia and booking a place in the series final before a seventh inning 
revival saw Australia score three runs to turn around a one run deficit and 
win the game.

The series saw 31 of New Zealand’s best female players out on the diamond 
getting some international exposure and testing themselves against the 
best. Included in the two teams were a number of junior players getting the 
first taste of international softball.

“The depth is starting to come, the experienced players are starting to get 
even better and the young ones are there pushing for the future. Some young 
players have stood up during the series,” said NZCT White Sox coach Mike Walsh.

Looking ahead to the world champs and the naming of a 17 person squad in 
April Walsh says the selection process is going to be difficult with a 
number of players pushing hard for inclusion.

“We are going to have 17 quality players and as selectors we are going to 
have to make some tough decisions on the team to go to the world champs. It 
will be the toughest selection since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.”

The campaign for success at the world champs this year began back in the 
2002/03 season and Walsh says it has been a long process with a number of 
tough results along the way but now it is all starting to pay dividends.

“When we started out there was a little light at the end of the tunnel and 
now the light is getting bigger,” said Walsh.

All Australian final in Trans Tasman Series

The final of the Trans Tasman International Women’s Softball Series at 
Resthills Park, Hamilton this afternoon will see Australia taking on New 
South Wales.

Australia won their way through to the final on the back of their unbeaten 
record during the opening three days of the tournament while New South 
Wales secured their place with the comprehensive 11-1 win over New Zealand 
Red this morning.

Going into this morning’s final round robin games three teams New South 
Wales, New Zealand Black and New Zealand Red were all in contention for a 
place in the title game.

New Zealand Black went closest to upsetting the Australian party when they 
went down 5-3 to the Olympic silver medalists Australia. In a heartbreaking 
result for the Black team the Australians came from behind to win the game.

Going into the top of the seventh inning New Zealand Black held a one run 
advantage and only needed three outs for the game however the Australians 
showed their class and applied pressure to load up the bases and then 
convert their chance and scored three runs.

New Zealand Black had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh inning 
but they couldn’t get any runners on base. Victory over Australia in the 
game this morning would have secured New Zealand Black a place in the final 
but it wasn’t to be.

Day 4 results – New South Wales 11 New Zealand Red 1, Australia 5 New 
Zealand Black 3, New Zealand Red 11 New Zealand Black 5.

Final - Australia 5 New South Wales 3.

Tournament top batter – Natalie Titcume (Australia), average .522 
Tournament top pitcher – Tanya Harding (Australia), era 1.17 Tournament MVP 
– Tracey Mosley (Australia).

Day 3 results - New Zealand Red 2 New Zealand Black 0, Australia 6 New 
South Wales 0, New Zealand Black 2 New South Wales 0, Australia 12 New 
Zealand Red 0.

Day 2 results – New South Wales 13 New Zealand Black 1, Australia 13 New 
Zealand Red 1, New Zealand Red 8 New South Wales 4, Australia 4 New Zealand 
Black 0.

Day 1 results – Australia 3 New South Wales 1, New Zealand Black 5 New 
Zealand Red 3.

By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
*  mailto:kelly.mitchell(at)xtra.co.nz

http://www.softball.org.nz/
* mailto:snz at softball.org.nz


Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
*   mailto:vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz

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