Hutt Valley Marist's Terrence Davidson bunts during their 3-1 win over the Stoke Eagles on day two of the national open men's club softball champs at Saxtion Ball Park.

ORIGINAL STORY by Wayne Martin

Johnsonville slugger Cameron Croft set the tongues wagging with a spectacular three-run homer to knock tournament top seeds Ramblers off their perch on day two of the national open men's club softball championships.

Auckland's Ramblers had entered their section one contest on Thursday unbeaten after three straight victories, including their tight 2-0 morning win over Miramar at Saxton Field in Nelson.

They'd also held a 1-0 lead over 16th-seeds Johnsonville heading into the fourth innings. But with two runners on base, Croft cleared the fence to give the Wellington club a staggering 3-1 win which saw them finish top of their section ahead of Ramblers.

While Croft grabbed the spotlight, it was the pitching of Black Sox wider squad member Josh Pettett that proved just as influential. Pettett faced 27 batters for six strike outs, one earned run and just one walk.

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Ramblers' surprise loss has now placed them in what's being tagged the "pool of death" alongside Auckland Marist, Auckland United and Poneke-Kilbirnie as the top eight teams now split into two pools of four.

Joining Johnsonville in what's deemed to be the easier pool are Christchurch club Albion, Eden-Roskill and Hutt Valley Dodgers.

Eden-Roskill, seeded 15th, had also secured a tight 4-3 upset win over seventh seeds Papanui to knock the Christchurch club out of title contention and relegate them to the second tier of competition.

Johnsonville's win left only three teams, Albion, Auckland United and PK, unbeaten after section play.

Seeded second in section four, PK leap-frogged Hutt Valley Dodgers as section winners, primarily by virtue of Wednesday's impressive 10-2 fourth round win over Dodgers.

Having already handed home team Nelson United a 16-0 hiding in Wednesday's opening game, PK completed section play on Thursday with wins over Parklands Christchurch United Devils (6-0), Otahuhu (2-0) and finally over North Harbour side Roosters.

Auckland United also went through unscathed to the top eight round robin series following second day wins over Hawkes Bay's Vikings (8-0) and Hutt City United (9-2).

Local team Stoke Eagles couldn't back up Wednesday's 5-4 win over Porirua with second day losses to Hutt Valley Marist (3-1) and Auckland Marist (7-0). Nelson United couldn't arrest their losing streak, going down 10-0 to Dodgers and 6-1 to PCU Devils.

At a glance

Day two - round one: Hutt Valley Marist 3 Stoke Eagles 1, Poneke-Kilbirnie 6 PCU Devils 0, Papanui 4 Hutt City United 2, Johnsonville 12 Fairfield Otorohanga United 6, Eden Roskill 5 Vikings 2.

Round two: Ramblers 2 Miramar 0, PK 2 Otahuhu 0, Dodgers 10 Nelson United 0, Albion 5 Porirua 1.

Round three: Auckland United 8 Vikings 0, Auckland Marist 7 Stoke Eagles 0, Dodgers 8 Roosters 3, Waitakere Bears 14 FFOU 7.

Round four: PCU Devils 6 Nelson 1, Albion 10 HV Marist 0, Eden Roskill 4 Papanui 3, Johnsonville 3 Ramblers 1.

Round five: Auckland Marist 4 Porirua 0, PK 2 Roosters 0, Bears 9 Miramar 1, Auckland United 9 HCU 2, Dodgers 6 Otahuhu 0.

 - Stuff