After the week off following the lockdown, Black Storm, Purple Haze and Teal Tornadoes were all back in action at Knox for Round 5 of the 2020-21 Peta Edebone Cup on Wednesday night.

By Giacomo Bruno

GAME 1 – PURPLE HAZE V BLACK STORM

The Purple Haze’s undefeated streak came to an end in the opening game of the night, with the Black Storm pulling off a shock 10-2 victory. The Storm put the runs on early scoring three runs in the first inning, after Tania Puketapu ran home to open the scoring.

By the bottom of third inning the lead had stretched to nine runs. The Haze who had been the side getting the runs, unusually found themselves needing 10 runs in the final innings to win the game.

Though the side managed to hit the scoreboard in the third inning, they couldn’t get the runs to follow, eventually going down 10-2.

GAME 2 – BLACK STORM V TEAL TORNADOES

In search of their first win of the tournament the Teal Tornadoes made several player and tactical changes, but would ultimately come up short going down to the Storm 8-7 in a gallant effort.

The Storm picked up from where they left off scoring five runs in the opening inning, and were in a commanding position defending an 8-1 lead at the bottom of the second inning.

The Tornadoes would then come to life at the top of the third. Hannah Scott hit long to send two teammates home, before Kylie Steemers’ home run got the side within a single run.

The Tornadoes would be struck out ending any hopes of a comeback, going down by a single run and still in search of that illusive first win.

GAME 3 – TEAL TORNADOES V PURPLE HAZE

The Haze go into the final round on Sunday as the team to beat, returning to their winning ways in a dominant 15-4 display.

Having lost their first game of the season, stand-in Haze coach Shane Goodall would be relieved his side ended the night with the biggest win of the round.

The Tornadoes were in the game early, having concede three runs in the first inning the side responded with three of their own, before the Haze began to break away in the second inning.

Having gone scoreless in the second inning, Tornadoes encountered more hiccups after pitcher Teraize Bonner was forced to come off with a foot injury at the top of the third inning, opening up the floodgates for the Haze who led 15-3 at the bottom of the third.

Once again, the Tornadoes needed to go on a roll in their last inning, and it proved to be too much of a mountain to climb, as they fell 15-4.

Results and ladder:

The Peta Edebone Cup concludes this Sunday morning at Waverley with the final round, followed by the Grand Final.

You can find updated results and ladders, livestream replays, player profiles and tournament information by heading to the dedicated Peta Edebone Cup webpage here:

Header image: Change of Focus Photography