Day 3 saw the start of the playoffs but when the rain came, changes occurred and instead of playing St Peter’s College Auckland, the reschedule saw Palmy Boys’ take on Napier Boys’. Tre Wihongi started strong on the mound with 3 up, 3 down seeing Palmy into bat quickly. Batters got into their work with Jacahn hitting an auto (out of the park), and 9 further runs followed to complete the bottom of the first.
Tre again ripped through the next 3 batters, 3 up 3 down for another quick change of innings and in Palmy Boys second turn at bat, they secured another run giving a 11-0 lead into the 3rd innings. Napier’s 3rd turn at bat was more fruitful than previous innings getting 3 across home plate. Palmy added a further run in the next 2 at bats securing a 13 - 3 mercy win.
The boys then had to back up straight away and play St Peter’s College who had just beaten Hastings Boys to advance. Once again the boys started in the field. SPC were away strong when they had a runner on base and hit a home run, going 2-0 in their first turn at bat. In reply Cam Scott also hit a home run to start the scoring for Palmy Boys’. Tre also got home from a huge hit by Joe Simpson-Smith who was unfortunately tagged out on home base leaving the score at 2- 2 heading into the 2nd. Neither team were able to add to their scores so headed to the 3rd still 2-2. SPC went up 3-2 in the 3rd innings and were up 4-2 at the bottom of the fourth before Glenn Stringer capitalised on an over throw, going from first base to home avoiding the tag out with a incredible dolphin dive. 4-3 down going into the 5th. Some good pitching from Tre and excellent fielding saw SPC left scoreless at the top of the 5th. At the bottom of the 5th, the Palmy Boys batting lineup ignited, with clean hitting being a feature. With players on base, both Jacahn and Tre hitting home runs each taking the score out to 7-4. Joe also got home and with bases loaded, no outs and time up, the boys secured a well deserved hard fought and exciting 8-4 win.
Friday morning sees the boys play Te Aute College for a place in the final versus Gisborne Boys High soon after.
