Last hit out for White Sox players ahead of Olympic qualifier

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 1/17/07 2:18:37 PM 
From:  Vance <vanf(at)ihug.co.nz> 


 
Subject:  Last hit out for White Sox players ahead of Olympic
qualifier  
    

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Last hit out for White Sox players ahead of Olympic qualifier
Wednesday January 17th 2007

The opening round of the NZCT Women’s National 
League will be a final hit out for some of the 
NZCT White Sox squad before they set off for 
Chinese Taipei and their bid for Olympic qualification.

While the focus will be on Norana Ave Ballpark, 
Mangere this weekend the thoughts of many may 
drift to the challenge ahead at the Olympic qualifier early next
month.

The opening round of National League this weekend 
will provide a good warm up for the NZCT White 
Sox touring squad as it will give them some game 
time under pressure against other elite players.

There will be six franchise teams battling it out 
in Auckland this weekend with the home team 
holding the title of defending champion. Since 
claiming the title last season there have been a 
number of changes at the Auckland franchise with 
Wayne Roper coming in as coach while on the 
playing side they have lost experienced 
international players Fiona Timu and Carina Hale.

Going into the first weekend Roper says the 
Auckland team has had little time together due to 
the players having commitments with other 
representative teams in recent weeks. However 
despite a lack of build up time Roper is 
confident he has a team that can compete with the 
best and challenge for the title.

Roper believes one of the real strengths of the 
Auckland team this season will be depth on the 
pitching mound as they have two quality pitchers 
to call on in the form of Megan Farrell and Michal Tangaroa.

In a new format for the National League this 
season each team will play each other twice over 
two weekends of round robin play before the top 
three finals series in early March.

On paper Hutt Valley and Canterbury look to have 
the strongest teams in the competition as both 
teams have class on the mound, hitting power and 
strength in the field. The last place in the top 
three finals weekend could come down to a race 
between the remaining franchise in the league 
Auckland, Central Vikings, Wellington and Southern Pride.
Teams:
Auckland – Megan Farrell, Michal Tangaroa 
(Pitchers), Whitney Brown, Mereana Joseph, 
Rebecca Bromhead, Amanda Preston, Jacqui Graham, 
Kyla Bromhead, Tegan Bromhead, Ngamoko Hiku, 
Shannon Lockton, Sina Hunkin, Lisa Hau, Kayle Clark.
Coach – Wayne Roper.

Canterbury – Ali Arnold, Elisha Smith (Pitchers), 
Shar Mitchell, Christina Paul, Emma Frost, Oriana 
Hesp, Andreana Duncan, Alysha Metuatini, Melanie 
Hulme, Carmelle Sorensen, Te Awhina Hewer, Lisa 
Kersten, Okawa Priest, Kereana Harris.
Coach – Dave Pouaka.

Central Vikings – Carina Hale, Rachel Kairau 
(Pitchers), Melanie Gettins, Missy Ngawhika, Pare 
Tangaroa, Maria Rawhiti, Liana Conder, Liani 
Samuels, Rise Kato, Amelia Rika, Lisa Arkell, 
Lydia Isaacs, Jackie Rameka, Paula Hokianga.
Coach - Israel Nukunuku.

Hutt Valley – Sheree Cartwright, Yvette Brits 
(Pitchers), Kiri Shaw, Cindy Potae, Zavana 
Aranga, Kylee Young, Shirley Povey, Lici Hina, 
Katrina Stockford, Talilotu Tonu’u, Upu Lote, 
Lara Andrews, Atsu Tanaka, Togi Lote.
Coach – Naomi Shaw.

Southern Pride – Courtney Maihi, Victoria 
Reyland, Pitchers, Heidi Leathart, Lisa Matheson, 
Carol Harwood, Kiymoi Kitagawa, Bridget Milne, 
Alice Telfer, Angela-Maria Taylor, Pauline 
Tahuri, Courtenay O’Donnell, Aria Haeata, Lisa Pohatu.
Coach – Kath McGilbert.

Wellington – Helen Packer, Lisa Such (Pitchers), 
Mereana Tobenhouse, Alison Boys, Nicole 
Stevenson, Rachel Warren, Betsy Bishop, Rebecca 
Noble, Kimberly Nukunuku, Megan Tasker, Mereana 
Stack, Brooke Cutting, Sanita To’o, Hope Weber.
Coach – Wayne Nichols.

Draw:
Saturday 20th Janaury –
11am Canterbury Red Hawks v Wellington
11am Central Vikings v Southern Pride
1pm Auckland v Central Vikings
1pm Southern Pride v Hutt Valley
3pm Auckland v Canterbury Red Hawks
3pm Wellington v Hutt Valley
5pm Central Vikings v Canterbury Red Hawks
5pm Southern Pride v Wellington
7pm Auckland v Hutt Valley.

Sunday January 21st
9am Hutt Valley v Canterbury Red Hawks
9am Central Vikings v Wellington
11am Southern Pride v Auckland
11am Central Vikings v Hutt Valley
1pm Auckland v Wellington
1pm Canterbury Red Hawks v Southern Pride  

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