It’s a big day on the diamond for Giants, with two home semifinals in the Intercity championships being played at South Park this afternoon.
The action gets underway at 1pm with Giants Blue taking on Poneke-Kilbirnie [PK] in the premier two semifinals, and a close tussle is likely.
The game is the third time in their last four games the two teams have met, and the honours have been shared. PK won their round-robin clash played at Hataitai Park 8–4, the only defeat the Blues have suffered defeat, while the Blues turned the tables with a 3–0 win in the preliminary final a fortnight ago at South Park.
Giants spokesman Chris Feary is predicting a tight game and believes it could come down to one or two crucial plays.
“PK have a really good pitching staff, and they have the batters that can hit the ball, but Giants have been really consistent with the bat and ‘Chunky’ [Justin Karaitiana] has been going well on the mound,” Feary said.
“These are the two best teams, and it’s a semifinal, but it’s pretty much the final, I think. The winner of this will be near unbeatable in the final.”
Giants Red will then take to the diamond at 3.30pm in their premier three semifinal against Dodgers White.
Although the Reds easily won 15–4 in their previous encounter, Feary expects a tougher game with a place in the final on the line.
“We’re going in there with a lot of confidence, but they’re a tricky team, and their player-coach has played us plenty of times, and I’m sure he’ll put together a game plan to get us over the line.”
The Reds will be without big hitter Gordon Wilmshurst for the semifinal, but despite his absence, Feary said there is still plenty of batting depth, and he is confident of a victory.
“The key for us is bat on ball, to play to our strengths, get in there and bat well, and Tony Nixon will do well on the mound, and we just need to back him up with our bats and good defence.”
The Giants women have the bye in Hutt Valley Premier Three. The U13s play Demons at Fraser Park, Lower Hutt.
