Terry Butson top batter for Southland Softball in 1976.......

Terry Butson managed to be the top batter in the Southland senior men's softball league in 1976.  Second was Russell Frisby and third was P. Killen.

It was ironic then that Butson still won even though he did not play in the last game of the season through injury.  With an average of .404 - 19/47 He was well clear of Russell Frisby who had an average of .352.
The Marist pair of Pat Killeen and Kerry Grace were consistent for their club througout the season.
Panther's Ian Ellis had his best season for some years.
The batters were listed in the following order:
Terry Butson, Russell Frisby, Pat Killeen, Kevin Grace, Ian Ellis, John Purdue, Jock Williamson, R. Smith, Graeme Stevens, John Pankhurst, Ken Rewcastle, Dave Madden, Jamie Campbell, John Egan, Trevor Anderson, Noel Eade, Peter McDougall.

Cardinal's Roger Keith was the most successful pitcher for the season with a running average against him of only 1.685.
Jamie Campbell earnt an average of 1.931 - he shared the duties with Rex Pankhurst.
Campbell was one of the hardest pitchers to hit away and was the perfect man when things got tight in a game.
Paul Hogan, a newcomer to the major league was ahead of his team mate Barry Patton.


Women
The most value women's player was Bridget Cullen, from Marist.  She not only batted well with an average of .447 21/47 but she was a consistent and reliable pitcher.
Other to feature were:  Anne Rainbow, Karen Robinson, Julie Dyer, L. Smith, Anne MacAskill, J. Lee, Barbara Ottley, P. Robinson, M. Craig, R. Ryan, Denise Stevens, Marie Corkery, R. Troon, S. Kapo, C. Schins, D. Frew.
Other pitchers to feature were:   Sue Hammond, Lovey Te Awhe, D. Frew.

Reference:   Latta, G., Butson is Top Batter.  The Southland Times April 1976.