For the final time the Black Storm, Purple Haze and Teal Tornadoes were in action at Waverley for the 2020-21 Peta Edebone Cup on Sunday morning.

It was Black Storm causing a major upset in the Grand Final over the formidable Purple Haze to take out the championship.

Words: Giacomo Bruno

GAME 1 – BLACK STORM V PURPLE HAZE

The Purple Haze went into the Grand Final as the team to be beat, starting the morning with a 14-4 victory over the Black Storm. The Haze hit the ground running scoring three runs in their opening inning.

The Storm then responded with three of their own, Amelia Mercuri’s ground ball double sent two teammates home to level the scores.

It would be one-way traffic from thereafter, the Haze showing why they were the danger team going from level at three runs a piece, to take home a charging lead.

GAME 2 – BLACK STORM V TEAL TORNADOES

Having lost by 10 runs in the opening game, the Storm would go into the Grand Final with some momentum, defeating the Tornadoes 13-4.

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the first, the Storm wasted little time reversing the deficit. Jess Chomley ran home off the first hit of the inning, before putting on another five runs to take a five-run lead.

Desperate for their first win of the season in their second last game, the Tornadoes rallied back to trim the margin to three runs, but the Storm once again answered the challenge.

The lead would be pushed to nine runs at the top of the third, the Tornadoes could only register one run before going out, the storm taking out a convincing win.

GAME 3 – TEAL TORNADOES V PURPLE HAZE

Though gallant throughout the season, the young Tornadoes outfit would go the season without a win, defeated by an inform Haze side 13-6.

The Haze got off to the ideal start scoring five runs in their opening inning. Tamar Hutchitson’s ground ball would clear the cones, two runners would make it home, setting the tone for the game.

Trailing by 12 runs in the final inning, the Tornadoes would come to life scoring five runs. Kylie Steemers who had been a standout performer for the Tornadoes all season would provide once again, her home run helping trim the margin to seven runs, but it would be too late.

The Haze ran out strong winners and went into the Grand Final as the favourites.

GRAND FINAL – PURPLE HAZE V BLACK STORM

The Storm caused a major upset in the Grand Final, taking out the Peta Edebone Cup 7-4 over the Purple Haze.

Having been on the losing end of the previous two Grand Finals, the win was a fairytale ending to the season for the side.

The Haze opened the batting but were unable to find their usual groove, the Storm defended well only conceding one run, Tania Puketapu stood up with a solid inning pitching.

At the bottom of the second with the scores levelled at 2-2 the game was up the grabs – and with the Storm up to bat – a flurry of five runs to close their inning would ensure they had one hand on the title.

It was Katherine Laemmle who started the wave, her long shot to right field would result in two runs, and when a fielding error followed seconds later, a third run quickly followed opening the lead to three runs.

Emily Pateras hit a home run not long after, putting the Haze in an unusual position of having to score five runs to at least force the Storm to bat again.

The Haze would swiftly score two runs to trim the margin to three runs, Puketapu stepping up once again on the mound, striking Haze players out as her side ran out 7-4 to emerge as champions of the Peta Edebone Cup.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

Pitching Award – Nicky Martin (Haze)

ERA 2.92, 15 strikeouts, gave up 5 earned runs for the tournament.

Batting Award – Alys Young (Haze)

Average 571, 6 RBI, scored 14 Runs.

MVP Award – Tania Puketapu (Storm)

Batting Average 500, 7 RBI, 1 Home Run, ERA 2.47, 24 Strikeouts, gave up 4 earned runs.

Results:

Image: Change of Focus Photography