Nelson’s leading softballer, Josh Kelly, has pitched in to help Marlborough at the annual Jefferies Cup tournament in Christchurch.
With Nelson not sending a senior men’s team, Josh was a welcome addition to the side over the hill for the interprovincial South Island competition.
But the 25-year-old logger was quick to point out, he hasn’t turned his back on the province. Josh, who made the Black Sox development squad last year, is again playing his club softball in the strong Canterbury competition and he came up against some very familiar faces in the cup final.
When former Black Sox hurler Kurt Schollum was injured during the tournament, Josh had to pitch all five innings against the Red Sox. And there no favours from some of his clubmates as Canterbury won 9-0. “I was pretty sore afterwards,” confirms Josh.
But he will be back for Marlborough next month for a tournament in Palmerston North. The break is timely though, as it is a busy time for the family logging business.
