Waimea Eagles hitter Derryn French reaches for the ball at Saxton Ballpark on Saturday. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.

Stoke sneak home in thriller

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A heavy-weight clash between the region’s two top softball teams was marked for its lack of heavy-hitting.

Stoke Eagles and Waimea Eagles battled to a 0-0 draw after 7 innings at Saxton Ballpark on Saturday, forcing the game to a tie-breaker.

The tie-breaker starts an inning with a runner on second base, Stoke was able to convert the head-start by batting in a run.

Waimea couldn’t match them and lost the game 1-0.

Despite the quality of the game, the two Eagles teams are the only two competing in this year’s Nelson premier grade.

This weekend both teams will travel to Marlborough to compete with its premier teams in a mixed competition.

Derryn French says it’s a shame that numbers aren’t higher.

“But we seem to have these cycles. Our reserve grade and womens competition are ok but, while the quality is good, the numbers aren’t so good for the premier mens competition.”