So it was a big day on Saturday for the Marist Premier Women. Not only was it their first home game on the new diamond but it was the Ellen Kohlhase Trophy game against the current holder's Ramblers Premier Women.

Ramblers started well scoring 2 in the first two innings with an outfield error allowing a triple by Ruby Nola who was brought home with a ground ball to second by Zoe Tolhopf. Their 2nd run was manufactured with Pearl-Marli Waetford hit and then a double from Sapphire Finau. Ramblers wouldn't score again until the 5th.

Marist answered back in the 3rd with two runs of their own. Amy Wells reaching 1st with a copy book left-handed bunt and was too quick for the defence to make a play. Was pushed around to 2nd by Aieesha Hooper. Wells then was driven home with a single up the middle by Hollie Howard. Howard was then taken out at second with a fielders choice ground ball by Nita Hickey. Hickey came home to tie the game with a double by Pania Monk to Centre Leftfield. Marist scored again in the 4th to take the lead with a Brooke Glassie single and was moved around the bases with a single to Ashleigh Foley and some sacrifices by Wells and Hooper.

Ramblers not willing to let this game get away from them answered themselves in the 5th with Brooke Whiteman reaching bases on balls, Waetford again hitting a single to centre field and eventually brought home on a Field Choice hit from Finau.

Going into the 5th and 6th Marist bats finally found some gaps and scored 5 runs taking the lead to 8 to 3 into the top of the 7th. Hits from Edna Hickey, Hollie Howard, Milla Glassie and Tessa Abraham all contributed to stretch away from the tough Ramblers team. Ramblers got 1 run back in the top of the 7th with Tolhopf reaching base again and Leilani Andrews bringing her home with a hit over second base Hoopers head.

Was good pitching performances by Glassie and Monk for Marist and the same for Ramblers battery team Justine Taku-Bedwell and Finau.

Marist claiming the prestigious Ellen Kohlhase trophy for 2020/21 season with an 8-4 win. Looking forward to another battle next season.

Game two proved to be a battle of hits as both teams slugged it out with Marist winning a tight one 10-8.

Most players picking up at least a hit each in this game but standouts had to be for Ramblers Brooke Whiteman 3 hits, Rebecca Fogel 2 and for Marist Tatiana Rouru 3 hits, Hollie Howard 2 hits, Nita Hickey 2, Monk 2 and Tessa Abraham 2.

On the mound for Ramblers was Megan Sneddon who did a great job for her team with Taku-Bedwell coming on in the 6th to help her out. Monk went the distance for Marist which should set her up nicely for the Bev Smith this weekend where these two teams meet again on the Friday night.

Both teams then shared a meal to celebrate and acknowledge Ellen Kohlhase for all she has done over the years for not only Marist but for the softball community in general.