April 2003: Part Three
25 April, 2003
There are ceremonies before each game to commemorate ANZAC Day.
The Bulls win a low-scoring game. Auckland keeps up pace though and beats the Hawke's Bay Vikings 7-3 to stay one game behind. Otago also lose to Wellington 10-3, so can't take advantage of Northland's loss.
The Hawks take out the Tigers in a 15 innings game. Geelong Green Sox also beat the Sydney City Sharks 11-6 to match their records with Geelong at 77-86.
The Queensland Firebirds beat the Canberra Power 9-4 to keep their slim hopes alive.
26 April, 2003
The Giants strike back thanks to a 4-run blitz in the 9th. Taranaki look on in horror as Auckland beat the Vikings again to bring both teams to 88-76 for that final playoff spot.
Otago get a dramatic walk-off hit victory over Wellington to stay even with Northland for the 2nd and 3rd spot.
In Australia, Queensland continue their campaign for a playoff spot with another win over Canberra. With Tasmania and Geelong both losing today, that brings the Firebirds to within one game of them. These three teams are now fighting for two playoff spots.
27 April, 2003
The Auckland Aces survive a late Hawke's Bay rally to sweep the series. With the Taranaki Bulls winning their game, they are both tied at 89-76. Auckland now heads to New Plymouth for a 3 game series against Taranaki. The playoffs have become early for these teams. Whoever wins this gets to move on.
Otago and Northland both lose their game so are both on 95-70. Otago go to Tauranga to face Bay of Plenty, while Northland will go home to Whangarei to take on the Waikato River Bandits. The same River Bandits that just lost their last two game to Bay of Plenty 18-2 and 12-2. Advantage has to go to Northland.
The Green Sox take the game while the Illawarra Hawks sweep against Tasmania. The Green Sox now have a one game lead over the Tigers for that final spot.
Queensland lose to Canberra. If Queensland want to get into the playoffs then they need to sweep Geelong in the final three games of the regular season. They also need Tasmania to lose to Bendigo when they clash for The Shield.
The Illawarra Hawks are now on a 9 game winning streak and are looking like the in-form team in Australia. Their wins have put them within one game of pipping the Adelaide Zips for that second spot. Adelaide will be taking on Canberra for that final series while the Hawks have the Sydney City Sharks.
