The New Zealand Sporting Society: A History

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WIZARDS RALLY NOT ENOUGH

The series shifted down to Dunedin for the next three games. The starting pitcher for the Wizards this time round was Gareth Frawley, ex-Northland player who had made the move South for this season. Unfortunately for Frawley, the Titans used their knowledge of Frawley against him as they picked up some steady runs in the middle innings to give the Titans a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.

Despite a great effort by some of the Otago veterans: Marvin Conrad and Terrence Morris who both hit home runs to get three runs on the board in the final innings. It was too little, too late for the Wizards. Northland back in the lead by 2-1.

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WIZARDS TIE IT UP 2-2

Guus Bertels was back as he put in a man of the match performance to restrict the Titans to one run while his batters slowly gained the upper hand to pick up some runs. Relative unknown Jerry Lyons was a fan favourite for the day with a home run in the seventh innings that bought in three runs. It'll prove too much of a cliff for the Titans to climb. The Wizards were still in this as they tied it back up.

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ACHESON WINS IN STYLE

Carisbrook was chanting the name of Jordan Acheson after this performance as he proved why he deserves to be considered one of the top players of the game. Deep in the 11th inning, he hits a beautiful 433ft 3 run home run to break the deadlock and take home the win.

Northland's Bob Stafford was proving to be a tricky character this day. The Northland star went 4-4 today -- 2 of those hits being home runs and one being a triple. His efforts to keep Northland in the game got him the player of the game award but it was Acheson's 11th inning home run that truly got the fans excited. Otago take the lead in the series for the first time with that win.

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OTAGO WIN PREMIERSHIP

Well, the Titans certainly never gave up. Despite being down by 9-0, the Titans rallied in the final innings of this game but it was too little, way too late. They bought the score to 9-6 but that was enough for the Wizards. That was all they needed to bring a long season to a close: they had won the Premiership.

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POHUTUKAWA CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
Nepia Award (Batting): Jay Mangan (King Country)
Meads Award (Pitching): Meinhard Unterzuber (Counties Manukau)
Brownlie Award (Fan Favourite): Meinhard Unterzuber (Counties Manukau)
Cooke Award (Rookie): Kominiko Likeke (Waitakere)
Mains Award (Manager): Jeff Fransen (Waikato)

Gallaher Award (Fielding)
P: Eneki Kapono (Thames Valley)
C: Ke-huy Ci (North Shore) **
1B: Adam Mayne (King Country) *****
2B: Sheridon McLaughlin (Counties Manukau) **
3B: Daniel Reithoffer (Counties Manukau)
SS: Harvey McDonald (Northland)
LF: Glen Crosland (Bay of Plenty)
CF: Kakelaka Edega (North Shore)
RF: Abia Mearann (Bay of Plenty)

KOWHAI CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
Nepia Award (Batting): Lachlan Baker (Wairarapa Bush)
Meads Award (Pitching): Guus Bertels (Otago) **
Brownlie Award (Fan Favourite): Lachlan Baker (Wairarapa Bush)
Cooke Award (Rookie): Jouo Myllyla (Otago)
Mains Award (Manager): Wanaaonani Iolani (Otago)

Gallaher Award (Fielding)
P: Jaime MacInnes (Canterbury)
C: Benny Nuyten (Central Otago) **
1B: Brendon Haggers (Hawke's Bay)
2B: Reece Heatley (Tasman)
3B: Rod Everheart (West Coast)
SS: Mark Leonard (Kapiti Coast) **
LF: Joe Peden (Hawke's Bay)
CF: Sam McPhail (Hawke's Bay) ***
RF: Evan Cattermole (West Coast)

MINOR LEAGUE WINNERS
Heartland Championship: Coromandel Golden Knights (Thames Valley affiliate) **
Campus Baseball League: Auckland Institute of Technology ****
Scholarship School League: St Peter's College ****

TOP FIVE DRAFT PICKS
1. Tadeu Dordio, SP (Southland - drafted from Gisborne Boys' High School)
2. Manaolanakeiki Yaralla, 2B (Hutt Valley - drafted from Kelston Boys' High School)
3. William Pollock, 3B (Waiheke - drafted from Auckland Institute of Technology)
4. Veli Nevakivi, LF (Thames Valley - drafted from Auckland Institute of Technology)
5. Huirangi Mincarlie, SP (North Shore - drafted from University of Waikato)

LIVERPOOL SHIELD
Wellington set a record with it's string of 13 successful defenses. They'll get another chance to beat that mark next season as they manged to win the Shield back right at the close of the season.

Winter Caretaker: Wellington
Longest Defense: Wellington (13)
Successful Challenges: 6

MOST ALL TIME DEFENSES OF SHIELD
1. Wellington 14
2. Canterbury 12
3. Northland 7
4. Tasman 6
5. Waikato 5

NEW SEASON RECORDS
Hits, 222: Conor MacNidder (Rob Docking 219 1923-24)
Stolen Bases, 54: Joe Peden (Conor MacNidder 53 1923-24)
Strikeouts, 190: Yin-Fat Huang (Mikaek Palani 184 1922-23)

Wins 27: Guus Bertels (Yuan Liu 26 1920-21)
Games 106: Jitvan Mangalampally (Berkley Perler 103 1921-22)
Hits Allowed 314: Arnold Eveson (Kapona Kyeema 274 1923-24)
Hits Allowed/9 IP 5.372: Stuart van Lingen (Stuart van Lingen 5.528 1920-21)
Strikeouts/9 IP 13.648 Kealamauloa Abesaloma (Stuart van Lingen 12.017 1922-23)
WHIP 0.772: Stuart van Lingen (Remie Wissink 0.795 1922-23)
Opponents AVG .1701: Stuart van Lingen (Stuart van Lingen .1745 1922-23)
Opponents OBP .2176: Stuart van Lingen (Stuart van Lingen .2176 1922-23)

NEW CAREER LEADERS
Batting Average .346: Sheridon McLaughlin (takes over from Francis van der Woerdt)
Slugging Percentage .664: Adam Mayne (takes over from Riley Candlin)
On-Base Plus Slugging 1.087: Adam Mayne (takes over from Riley Candlin)
Games 779: Jen-djieh Er (takes over from Harry Bruce)
Hits 954: Rob Docking (takes over from Adam Mayne)
Total Bases 1914 Rob Docking (takes over from Adam Mayne)

Losses 83: Calvin Willey (takes over from Koukakala Augutino)
Innings Pitched 1450.1: Guus Bertels (takes over from Simon Gorst)
Home Runs Allowed 178: Taylor Dunbar (takes over from Philip Schop)
Bases on Balls 619: Xavier Rivington (takes over from Miroslav Blicharz)
Hits Allowed/9IP 5.78: Stuart van Lingen (takes over from Liaifi Leonani)
Strikeouts/9IP 13.35: Kealamauloa Abesloma (takes over from Edgar Rotheberg)
WHIP 0.85: Stuart van Lingen (takes over from Remie Wissink)
Opponents Avg 0.1719 Stuart van Lingen (takes over from Liaifi Leonard)

[le receveur]

just catching up.... thanks for the update,,, really appreciate the kakapo and takahe update... (also the wanaka anachronism...)

nice season... congrats to the Wizards well done (and the Saints not in last place woohoo)

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THE NZSS CELEBRATES 5 YEARS!

Five years down and the New Zealand Sporting Society continued to grow. The NZSS had survived the Donaldson scandal (though Auckland fans weren't crazy about the Ducks these days) and looked to move on. Tensions between the team owners and the Song family weren't going away however.

As part of the 5 year celebrations... the Otago Daily Times published its picks for the "All Star team of the first five years" based largely on performance only.

C Kieron Critchley (Counties Manukau)
In a team that has seen a bunch of superstars through its ranks it'll be easy to forget Catcher Kieron Critchley and his contribution to the success of the Counties Manukau Steelhounds in the last five years. Critchley was a young 24 year old when the league was established in 1920, thrust into the role of Starting Catcher right from the word 'go', Critchley seized the oppoturnity with both hands and never looked back: maturing finely as the seasons passed. Apart from his running, (terrible - there's a reason that he's never stolen a base or even tried), Critchley is a very well rounded player -- defensively and offensively. He's been to the All-Star game four times.
Other contenders: Burt Hall (West Coast), Roogan O'Neary (Wellington), Benny Nuyten (Central Otago)

1B Adam Mayne (King Country)
Trophy cabinet makers love this guy. Let's list of the achievements: 3 time Batter of the Year, 1 time winner of the batting triple crown, 5 time Fielder of the Year in his position, 5 time All-Star, and the All-time leader in slugging percentage and On-Base plus slugging percentage. It was largely by his own sheer will that he was able to turn the King Country Volcanoes into one of the most feared teams out there in the early days of the competition (though the fact that they haven't been to the playoffs in the last two seasons shows that one man can't do it all on his own). Expect him to be with the Volcanoes for some time -- he's signed a contract to take him to the end of the 1928-29 season.
Other contenders: Harry Bruce (Central Otago/Bay of Plenty/Otago)

2B Sheridon McLaughlin (Counties Manukau)
McLaughlin is one of the key members of the most exciting batting lineup that this tournament has seen. The Steelhounds from the 1921-22 season to the 1923-24 season were an outstanding force (and still are) but this was their peak and holding it all together was Sheridon McLaughlin. McLauglhin was the consistent team leader in Batting Average and On-Base Percentage. Ensuring that the full impact of the home run machines that were Acheson, Candlin, and Critchley would be fully felt. McLaughlin was one of the hardest workers in the game and the most disciplined. He's been to the All-Star game three times, and won the Fielder of the Year award twice.
Other contenders: Kuan-Yew Zhao (Hutt Valley/Wellington), Tika Mafileo (King Country/Wairarapa Bush/Hutt Valley/Bay of Plenty), Shawn Skyner (Manawatu)

3B Rob Docking (Wairarapa Bush)
This was the toughest pick. Rob Docking has been an absolute rock for the Fighters over the first five seasons -- they haven't been great (only two playoff appearances in that time) but no fault can be laid at the feet of Docking. His main competition for the spot was Jordan Acheson, who was one of the key players in Otago's recent Premiership win. Believe us, it was very tempting to just stick Acheson there and call it a day but at the end of the day, we have to follow the numbers: Docking has won the Batter of the Year twice, 5 time All-Star, the batting Triple Crown in 1923-24, he's the all-time leader in hits and RBI's, and his 68 home runs in the 1923-24 will probably remain a record for some time. We expect the Docking vs Acheson debate to continue for some time. It'll be interesting to see the result if we were to do a "best of the twenties" list in another 5 years time.
Other contenders: Jordan Acheson (Counties Manukau/Otago)

SS Enoka Kakieleka (East Coast)
This choice may stir a bit of controversy -- many consider Andy Fray to be the best Shortstop in the country, and that may be true -- if he ever actually plays. Year after year Andy Fray comes down with something or other and misses half the season. No, to make this list you actually have to play games to prove yourself the best Shortstop in the country. Kakieleka is a disciplined high contact hitter that's been largely ignored by baseball experts. He's only managed an appearance in two All-Star games -- one hopes that he's given an opportunity to shine in his new home of Otago this season.
Other contenders: Paul Brandon (King Country), Atoni Kimo (Waitakere), Paulie Ebbutt (Canterbury/Wellington/Hawke's Bay)

LF Riley Candlin (North Shore/Counties Manukau)
Candlin's best years may be behind him -- the fact that the Southland Saints just acquired him in a trade for practically nothing speaks volumes about how far his stock has plummeted in the last season. But at his peak, Candlin was dynamic. 3 time All-Star and a constant fixture in the batting statistics.
Other contenders: Aiden Brann (Wairarapa Bush), Kaaleppi Huhtanen (Waikato), Bob Stafford (Northland)

CF Glen Crosland (Bay of Plenty)
One of the quiet achievers of the NZSS. Crosland (like Kakieleka in the SS position) has been picked more for his unbending consistency rather than a tendency towards superstardom. Only one All-Star appearance for him and one award for best fielding.
Other contenders: Marvin Conrad (Otago)

RF Lachlan Baker (Wairarapa Bush)
At 28, Baker is the youngest batter on the list and looks set to dominate his position for some time to come -- Baker winning the Batter of the year last season signifies the passing of the baton from Rob Docking to Baker as the principal batter of the side. Baker's only weaknesses are his lack of running game and his low work ethic and desire to win. He could turn out to the dominant batter of the twenties if he uses his immense talent to the fullest. He's been to 4 All-Star games.
Other contenders: Jay Mangan (King Country), Sofronio Pispinis (Waitakere), Francis van der Woerdt (Canterbury/Counties Manukau)

SP Juhani Jokinen (Bay of Plenty/Wellington)
Picking just one pitcher was not an easy decision: let us say that. There's a lot of great talent in the league but picking Jokinen over a guy that's won two pitcher of the year trophies, the only pitching triple crown, and the only pitcher to ever pitch a perfect game (we're talking about Otago's Guus Bertels) is a pretty bold one. The thing about Jokinen has been that he's consistently great. Bertels has started to dominate the league in the last two seasons but he can't match the year-in-year-out consistency of Jokinen. Jokinen has been in the All-Star game four times and was a key member of the Wellington squad that won the Premiership in 1921-22.
Other contenders: Guus Bertels (Otago), Remie Wissink (Bay of Plenty/Waikato), Meinhard Unterzuber (Counties Manukau)

Alternate Team Based on Best Individual Seasons
C Burt Hall (West Coast) 1923-24 (45 home runs, .322/.418/.648, 169 hits, 105 runs, and 105 RBI's in 525 AB's)
1B Adam Mayne (King Country) 1921-22 (59 home runs, .353/.457/.736, 208 hits, 135 runs, and 158 RBI's in 590 AB's)
2B Sheridon McLaughlin (Counties Manukau) 1924-25 (22 home runs, .373/.461/.546, 214 hits, 116 runs, and 79 RBI's in 573 AB's)
3B Rob Docking (Wairarapa Bush) 1923-24 (68 home runs, .358/.441/.737, 219 hits, 126 runs, and 176 RBI's in 612 AB's)
SS Paul Brandon (King Country) 1922-1923 (8 home runs, .336/.391/.439, 209 hits, 94 runs, and 72 RBI's in 622 AB's)
LF Bob Stafford (Northland) 1920-21 (56 home runs, .297/.403/.622, 177 hits, 108 runs, and 140 RBI's in 596 AB's)
CF Glen Crosland (Bay of Plenty) 1920-21 (24 home runs, .321/.403/.495, 196 hits, 94 runs, and 83 RBI's in 610 AB's)
RF Lachlan Baker (Wairarapa Bush) 1923-24 (49 home runs, .357/.477/.674, 204 hits, 137 runs, and 107 RBI's in 571 AB's)
SP Stuart van Lingen (Kapiti Coast) 1922-23 (21-7, 1.69 ERA, 385 Ks, 0.8 WHIP)

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For le receveur...

An update on the Saints first round draft picks (these all happened to end up as a Saint or be one of their top prospects) for you at the start of the 1925-26 season.

In the 1920 draft, the Saints used their second overall pick for Yin-Fat Huang. He was a university boy so he's already 27 now. He spent a couple of seasons playing with the Gore Ice Cats until he cracked the Saints squad in 1922-23. He is now one of their top players, earning an All-Star appearance last season.

One notable accomplishment has been a 5-5 performance against the West Coast Gold Sox, he got 2 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBI's and 2 runs from that game.



In the 1921 draft, the Saints used their third overall pick on Conor MacNidder from High School. I've already mentioned him before when he got selected for the 1923-24 All-Star game at age 21. Last season he was the Kowhai Championship leader in hits and triples, the season before that he lead the Championship in stolen bases.

He has had two 5-hit games in the last two seasons plus enjoyed a 20 game hitting streak.



Southland failed to sign their 1922 pick, but got two in 1923. Terry Ziersch was picked with the 3rd overall pick after a dominant season in High School that saw him win best batter and best fielder. He's currently still in the Gore Ice Cats - OSA still rates him as a 5 star potential but he's only slowly improving in the minors. The pundits are losing a bit of faith in him, after being named the #3 prospect in the league last season -- they've downgraded him to #6.



Southland used their 5th overall pick on Dana Kuali, a second baseman fresh from University. The Saints were so impressed with him that they put him straight a starting position. Still has a bit of room to grow though.



Finally, last season Southland used their first overall pick on pitcher Tadeu Dordio. He got a bit smashed around in the Heartland Championship last season but he's still been ranked the #1 prospect. It's the Stuff that makes the pundits excited. Stuff that high is rare in this league. Could be fantastic.

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FRAY SAYS GOODBYE TO CHRISTCHURCH!
ALSO OUR PRIME MINISTER DIED

The country's obsession with the game of the baseball continued to grow. A prime minister died in office and could only manage a secondary headline.

I mean William Massey, who had been the Prime Minister since 1912 -- through a World War, industrial strife, an influenza epidemic, and an economic slump had died from cancer and The Press was more concerned about the 41 year old Shortstop that had decided to test his luck on the open market. Really?

Andy Fray may be considered the best Shortstop in the league but it was only in a hypothetical best -- Fray consistently missed half the season each time; his last season with Canterbury (131/162 games) the exception rather than the rule. He is the career leader in on-base percentage and has the distinct honour of being (maybe) the only player to be in two Premiership winning sides (Tasman 1921-22 and Canterbury 1923-24).

End of the day, he ended up with the Counties Manukau Steelhounds. The Steelhounds are one of four teams who have been the playoffs every season (along with Canterbury, Northland, and Wellington) but unlike the other teams in that club the Steelhounds have never won the Premiership. In order to end up in the winner's circle they turn ruthless -- they dump star Riley Candlin (his 1924-25 season was terrible) in a trade with Southland for some prospects (a trade that turns how badly for the Saints as Candlin eventually gets demoted to a pinch-hitter-only-if-the-pitcher-is-right-handed and they get stuck with his superstar salary for this season and the next).

So, along with Fray -- the Steelhounds also sign up Kalifetona Benga to head up their starting rotation -- Benga is a former Tasman/Hawke's Bay pitcher who's been to the All-Star game two times. He signs a massive 6 year contract which will take him to age 35. The Steelhounds hope that he can be the pitching anchor the team needs to get them the Premiership.

The Waikato Spartans also make a big signing with Shawn Skyner as they locked the 30 year old up to a 5 year contract. Skyner is a pretty consistent leader in On-Base Percentage, Triples, and Walks and will take a spot at the top of the lineup for the Spartans. After making the playoffs for the first time last season, the Spartans definitely appear as one of the fastest improving clubs out there.

The defending champion Otago Wizards won't be seen resting on their laurels. While they lost some pitchers who were integral to their Premiership win last season they just went out and signed better ones. Including Wellington player Dietmar Seidler -- a quality player to back up Otago's Ace Guus Bertels. The Wizards also acquire East Coast Shortstop Enoka Kakieleka in a trade (though he'll end up playing Left Field) to add some steady hands to the top of their lineup to complement the big hitting of Harry Bruce and Jordan Acheson. The Wizards are definitely keen for the repeat.

East Coast also traded their pitcher Herman Myhre to Southland for a collection of prospects. On the strength of that and the development of some of their draft picks throughout the seasons, the Saints were predicted to have their first winning season ever.

In one final note, the Kapiti Coast Kings made a big signing with pitcher Andre Sorenson. Only to lose him to a career-ending injury on the first day of spring training. The Kings are having terrible luck with their pitchers and injuries.

[le receveur]

Saints fan spirits are up as the new season approaches. we might get our first winning season. now if only we could go somewhere in town for a drink... well there is always the basement of mr.wang's sundries..but don't tell anyone ;-)

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ACHESON HITS 300 HOME RUNS!

Everyone knew it was coming -- when the 1925-26 season started, it was clear that Acheson was pretty close to the 300 home run mark. Finally, 22 days in the season he hit the milestone home run in a game against the Kapiti Coast Kings.

He was the first player to the mark but certainly wouldn't be the last.

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ROB DOCKING: THE STEELHOUND

It was news that shocked the small region of Wairarapa Bush. One of their star players, Rob Docking had just been traded to the Counties Manukau Steelhounds for a bunch of young guys that were unlikely to amount to anything.

Rob Docking had been a member of the Wairarapa Bush Fighters since day one. In that time as a Fighter he had won:

16x Player of the Week
6x Player of the Month
2x Batter of the Year
5x All-Star selections
1x Triple Crown (1923-24)
2x Leader in Hits
5x Leader in Total Bases
3x Leader in Home Runs
5x Leader in RBI's
1x Leader in Runs
1x Leader in Batting Average
3x Leader in Slugging
2x Leader in Runs Created
2x Leader in Isolated Power
2x Leader in On-Base Percentage+Slugging
2x Leader in VORP
2x Leader in WAR

The Otago Daily Times had also named him as the best Third Baseman in the NZSS's first five years. Narrowly pipping Otago's own Jordan Acheson for the spot.

The Wairarapa Bush and New Zealand public as a whole (apart from the Manukau fans) were opposed to the trade. Fighter fans were shocked that the team would trade away one of their top players due to his age (Docking was 38) and saw the management's actions as writing off their entire season. They may have been seven games behind the lead but the season still had a long way to go. Giving in at the halfway point hardly seemed productive.

A movement to ban trading was initiated after the trade -- the practice was considered not worthy of New Zealand.

Docking would become the second member of the 300 Home Run club two months after the trade as a Steelhound.

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116 WINS FOR WIZARDS!

Times were good for the Otago fans. Fresh from their Premiership victory last season, they looked keen to be the first team in the NZSS to secure themselves a repeat. They definitely made their stamp on the season with a massive 116 wins -- a record for either Championship. This was also their first Mountain Division title.



The Southland Saints celebrated their first winning season ever with their first appearance in the post-season. Their hording of top picks over the years was beginning to pay off -- 23 year old Conor MacNidder had emerged as the marquee player of the side and 27 year old Yin-Fat Huang as a reliable hitter. Rounding out the trio of star batsmen was 32 year old Riley Syrett who lent his experience throughout the season.

The Auckland Ducks surprised many, the financial restrictions placed on them after the execution of their owner Jamie Donaldson (by his brother Roger Donaldson who had taken over the team) meant that the team could barely afford the salaries they had; let alone any new ones -- with the public unwilling to support the side it was looking like it was going to be very lean times for the side. They shocked all when they managed a 23-5 record in the opening month -- the wins didn't last but they still achieved their first winning season ever. They still finished the season as one of the top hitting sides in the Pohutukawa Championship -- this did win back some of the affection of their lost fans but most Auckland fans continued to shun them after Jamie Donaldson's murder conviction.

After five straight Mountain Division titles, the Canterbury Bulls were way off the pace this season as they were bundled down to third place behind the dominant Otago side and resurgent Southland Saints. Their 82-80 record wasn't good enough for a playoff spot as they missed their first playoff spots ever.

The Waiheke Voodoo continued their unlikely rise through the ranks as they outgunned the Northland Titans and Counties Manukau Steelhounds to the top spot in the Sky Division: their first ever Sky Division title.

The Kapiti Coast Kings continued the trend of first titles. Their dominant starting rotation the key to their 95-67 record and Capital Division title.

The Waikato Spartans were the only Division champion to actually claim a second title this season. The River Division continued to be a weak division overall -- the Spartans the only team able to put together a winning record.

Finally, the Counties Manukau Steelhounds, Northland Titans, and Wellington Mad Hatters continued their impressive ability to make the playoffs. With Canterbury out this season -- these three teams remained the only ones to make the playoffs each season.

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Six years in and we have a collection of sides who have never managed to make it to the playoffs. When will they get their chance?

Sky Division
Auckland Ducks (top market team!)
North Shore Sea Dogs

River Division
Thames Valley Miners

Capital Division
Hawke's Bay Vikings
Hutt Valley Demolition

Mountain Division
Central Otago Cowboys

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ALL DOWN TO GAME FIVE!

The qualifier round turned out to be one of the more exciting of recent memory. Of the four series's -- three of them required five games to conclude. The only exception was the Waiheke Voodoo's sweep of the Northland Titans.

Waikato Spartans (96-66) vs Counties Manukau Steelhounds (101-61)
With the Voodoo confirmed as the first team in the Pohutukawa Championship, that left the Spartans and Steelhounds to battle it out for the second spot. Both sides had made some big accquisitions for this season. The Steelhounds had signed Andy Fray as a free agent and picked up Rob Docking in a trade. While the Spartans had picked up Shawn Skyner on the market. Both sides exchanged wins in the first four games until the final match in Waikato's home city: Hamilton.

The bookies were having a hard time trying to pick a winner for this one. Both sides had fought four even battles in the previous games but the defensive efficiency of the Spartans turned out to be the difference as the Spartans ran away with a 4-0 win despite giving up the same amount of hits and walks.

Otago Wizards (116-46) vs Wellington Mad Hatters (88-74)
There was a sense of déjà vu in the air. These two sides had played out this fixture before last season. Back then, the Mad Hatters entered as favourites but Otago was able to upset them en-route to their first Premiership win.

This time the roles are reversed, the Wizards are strong favourites but the Mad Hatters are able to take them to a game five -- to the shock of the Otago fans -- who are already accustomed to the idea of the unbeatable team. The big hitting of Wellington Left Fielder Reinhold Sundermann acts as an ominous sign for the Wizards as he hits a home run in all of the first three games to let the Mad Hatters take a 2-1 lead over the defending champion. The Mad Hatters nearly clinch the series in game four -- the only thing holding them back is a solitary run from Otago in the ninth innings to tie the game. Fast forward to the tenth innings and relative unknown Otago Right Field Daragh Pyne is sent in to pinch hit. He hits a home run that nets the Wizards three runs, the win, and a chance to take out the series.

Game five goes right down to the wire. The score is tied at 4-all in the ninth innings but neither side can get any runs on the board until we hit the 15th innings, yikes. Even then, both sides continue to match each other. It then goes down to Otago pinch hitter Aiden Chattan to finally hit the home run that gives the Wizards the win. Finally, after a game that lasted four hours and 42 minutes. The Wizards survive the test and move on to the next round.

Kapiti Coast Kings (95-67) vs Southland Saints (90-72)
The Saints were the only side in the playoffs to have never made it this far before and were naturally nervous. In recent years, teams making their first appearance were often knocked out in the first round, while the Saints were keen to avoid that club -- they weren't confident though as they had lost one of their top players Riley Syrett to injury.

They especially weren't confident when they lost the first two matches.

At that point, the series moves to Invercargill -- the home city of the Southland Saints. In about 40 years, Mick Jagger will say some rather unsavory things about Invercargill but today the Saint fans come out in force to support their team and they are treated to a thriller as the game goes into extra-innings. Yin-Fat Huang broke the deadlock with a sneaky run to home. The Saints pick up win number one.

No overtime needed the next day for the Saints as they pick up the runs in the late innings to take home game number four 4-2 to tie the series up and force a game five. This one is a battle of the pitchers -- very few hits and very few runs but it's Southland's Anakale Reihana who ends up winning over the Coast's Stuart van Lingen. The Saints survive and will battle for the Kowhai Championship against the Otago Wizards.

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There was a lot of new blood in the Championship Finals. Waikato, Waiheke, and Southland are all in their first Championship. The only familiar face was the Otago Wizards -- though admittedly this was only the second team they had gotten this far.

Kowhai Championship: Otago Wizards (116-46) vs Southland Saints (90-72)
After narrowly surviving the Mad Hatters. The Wizards continued to struggle a bit -- while the Saints had gotten one of their best players back from injury in Riley Syrett they still lacked the killer instinct to grab the wins from the Wizards. Game one ends in a frantic flurry of runs in the ninth innings. First Southland picks up 6 runs to grab a nice 8-4 lead but the Wizards strike back in the bottom of the ninth by picking up 5 runs -- three of them coming from a Home Run by Jordan Acheson to finish the game. Otago take the lead.

The second game follows a similar pattern with Otago again picking up the win. The Saints win the third game but that will be the end of their success. The fourth game is a scoreless affair until the 7th innings when the Otago batsmen score smash four home runs over five at-bats to destroy the hopes of the Southland fans. Game five sees Otago seal the deal with a 5-2 win. The Wizards had picked up their second straight Kowhai Championship title and will be looking to defend their Premiership title (and possibly become the first side to win back-to-back titles).

Waiheke Voodoo (103-59) vs Waikato Spartans (96-66)
No matter what, someone was going to win their very first Championship. Fans of both teams were excited. The opening game on Waiheke Island was a careful and tense affair. Neither side able to claim an advantage on the scoreboard until the 12th inning when a series of singles gives the Voodoo the opening win.

The next game also went to extra innings but the Spartans were able to get the benefit there to tie the series up. The series shifted to Hamilton and the Spartans continued their streak of winning games in the final innings to grab a 3-1 lead in the series. The Voodoo were able to claim game 5 but the Spartans were able to prevail in the next game to win the series.

The Waikato Spartans win their first Pohutukawa Championship. It'll be a battle between Otago and Waikato for the 1925-26 Premiership title.

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The Waikato Spartans arrive at the Dunedin Railway Station for the first game of the Premiership.

The city of Dunedin was absolutely buzzing at the thought of another Premiership battle. Though there was a lot of uncertainty in the air. The Wizards hadn't exactly set the world on fire in the last two rounds: they escaped with some lucky wins against Wellington and Southland's lack of killer instinct allowed the Wizards to come out on top easily.

The Spartans had just survived two tough rounds. They weren't the prettiest squad out there but they had managed to get the job done throughout the season.

It should be an interesting fight.

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WIZARDS UP 1-0!

Otago pitcher Guus Bertels picks up player of the game in the opening match as he wins this duel with Waikato pitcher Remie Wissink. The key moment comes in the bottom of the sixth when the Spartans have a slim 1-0 lead over the Wizards. Otago Left Fielder Enoka Kakielekea gets a tidy single before Shortstop Benton Green gets out there to hit a homer for the two runs and the lead. Neither side gets a decent scoring oppoturnity for the rest of the game as Otago takes the win.

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SPARTANS SHUT OUT. WIZARDS UP 2-0

Otago's number two pitcher Dietmar Seidler could possibly be the number one pitcher on a bunch of other squads. He proves his worth to the Wizards here by pitching a shut-out. He did give up nine hits but the Otago defense was completely solid here.

Otago shortstop Benton Green continues his form from the last game and gets a home run in the second innings.

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WAIKATO WIN TENSE GAME

The series moves north to Hamilton as the Spartans hope the home crowd can get them the win they need.

Both teams grab a sneaky single in the first innings of the match but the runs dry up after that. The Wizards have sent out number one pitcher Bertels again while the Spartans continue to work down the order and throw Halola Farakiko out there. Farakiko matches up well against the two-time pitcher of the year, Waikato pinch hitter Robert Holton is the one who gets the solo home run off Bertels to grab the lead -- and eventually the win. Otago are still up though 2-1.