Lower Hutt, NZ - Auckland teams favoured to win national women's club title in Lower Hutt
Experienced coach Venita Hokai won't be defending her title at the national women's interclub softball tournament in Wellington  this week, but she still expects an Auckland team to take home the silverware.
White Sox pitcher Jennifer Feret will be hoping to hurl Auckland champions Western Magpies to their first New Zealand interclub softball title.
Experienced coach Venita Hokai won't be defending her title at the national women's interclub softball tournament in Wellington this week, but she still expects an Auckland team to take home the silverware.
Hokai led Auckland Marist to last year's crown and also coached Auckland to this year's national representative tournament title.
The New Zealand Junior White Sox head coach said Marist had a young side this season, without last year's pitching ace, American import Blaire Luna. Only former White Sox star Kalala Gabriel had top-level experience.
Auckland Marist, who won last year's national women's interclub softball title.
"I don't think any one team is going to dominate this year but I do think an Auckland team is going to win," Hokai said. "We have a lot more tournaments [in Auckland] than other parts of the country."
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The 13-team tournament starts on Thursday at Lower Hutt's Fraser Park.
Hokai said Hutt Valley Dodgers, with White Sox pitcher Rita Hokianga on the mound would be a threat, but some teams could struggle "if they are going to have to use only one pitcher".
She said Otahuhu had "two decent pitchers" in American Sammi Parks and White Sox youngster Pania Monk. With New Zealand catcher Stefanie Smith leading the batting lineup and Canterbury duo Carly Werahiko and Nicole Baxter as pick-ups, Hokai felt Otahuhu "could be pretty tough to beat".
Senior White Sox pitcher Jennifer Feret hurled Western Magpies to the Auckland club title last weekend, but her understudy, Beth Stavert, has been nursing a shoulder injury. But Magpies should have one of the best defensive outfields with Canterbury stalwart Robyn Hall joining Gillian Wills.
Hokai said Bears had been one of the most consistent Auckland teams this year and have plenty of experience with White Sox sisters Kyla, Rebecca and Tegan Bromhead, promising young pitcher Tyla Morrison and top outfielder Ancelle van Molendorff in their ranks.
Dodgers, the Wellington-Hutt Valley intercity champions, look the most likely side to break any Auckland stranglehold with Hokianga in the middle and White Sox hitters Hailey Breakwell and Mel Gettins.
Hutt Valley Saints could also be a threat with American pitcher Alyson Spinas-Valainis, White Sox outfielder Charlotte Pointon and former Olympian Kiri Shaw in their ranks.
Their Hutt rivals, Te Aroha, have won six national titles and will have plenty of hitting pep in Yvonne Burgess, Charlotte Pointon, Kuraroa Ratu-James and veteran Melisa Tupuivao, but they lack a proven, experienced pitcher.
No Wellington side have won the national club championships since Island Bay in 1984, and it is hard to see that situation changing, although Poneke Kilbirnie are a young side on the rise.
With the White Sox world championships team already named, Hokai believes the players will benefit from "less pressure to impress the selectors" and will be able to focus positively on their performance.
Five former New Zealand Black Sox internationals will coach at the tournament - Donny Hale (Ramblers), Dion Nukunuku (Bears), Fabian Makea (Poneke Kilbirnie), Roman Gabriel (Marist) and Wayne Nichols (Miramar).
SOFTBALL NATIONALS
Teams for the national women's open interclub women's softball tournament in Lower Hutt from Thursday to Sunday.
Section A: Waitakere Bears, Howick, Western Magpies (Auckland), Te Aroha (Hutt Valley), Saints (Hutt Valley), Miramar.
Section B: Otahuhu, Dodgers (Hutt Valley), Ramblers (Auckland), Poneke Kilbirnie (Wellington), Papanui (Canterbury), Auckland Marist, Johnsonville-Newlands.
Titleholders since 2000: 2015: Auckland Marist. 2014: Dodgers (Hawke's Bay), 2013: Waitakere Bears. 2012: Ramblers. 2011: Te Aroha. 2010: Te Aroha. 2009: Te Aroha. 2008: Auckland Marist. 2007: Te Aroha. 2006: Wainui (Hutt Valley), 2005: Te Aroha. 2004: Te Aroha. 2003: Christchurch United. 2002: Christchurch United. 2001: Christchurch United. 2000: Christchurch United.
Most titles: 7-Broadway (Wellington), Monowai (Canterbury). 6-Christchurch United, Te Aroha.
 - Stuff
