The Brunels and the Buccaneers shared the spoils of their thrilling Bristol derby SWWBL double header at Somerdale on Sunday.
The Buccaneers won the first game 16-15 with a dramatic walk off after the Brunels had scored 11 runs to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning after being down 13-4.
The Buccaneers got off to a hot start with shortstop Henry Mcnamara going well at the plate with three hits including a rare triple. Pitcher Alex Bright drove in two runs and Phil Midgley drove in three as the team scored consistently during the game.
For the Brunels, Rebecca Cottrell, Charlie Deeks and Rich Evans all drove in multiple runs as the Brunels launched their late comeback. Charlie Turner and Cottrell led the way on the bases, stealing eight between them.
The Brunels started better in the second game and ran out 18-14 winners behind good hitting from Charlie Turner and Declan Ryan who both had multiple hit games. Both drove in multiple runs as did Cottrell and Deeks.
Although home runs by Alex Bright and Eric Hiller threatened to push the Buccaneers to victory, solid pitching by Jake Boyer, Michele Botta and Cottrell for the Brunels was enough to keep the opposition at bay.
“They were two great games and we were delighted to get our first win of the season with the best performance of the year,” said Buccaneers player manager, Josh Williams-Trim. “It is something we can build on as we move onto the rest of the season.”
Rich Evans, player manager of the Brunels said, “We started the first game a bit slowly but the fightback was incredible and showed our commitment to each other. We were quicker out of the blocks in the second and our pitchers were fantastic in limiting the Buccaneers.”
It was a bad day at the office for the Badgers who lost their BBF AAA double header 11-7 and 25-16 to the Bournemouth Bears.
The Badgers started well, scoring five runs in the first inning but a five run burst by the Bears in themseventh put the game just out of reach. Mattia Pappini and Rhod Theaker both had multiple hit games but five errors in the field cost the Bristol team heavily.
The second game was a run fest with 35 hits spread across the two teams. More fielding errors at crucial times cost the Badgers any chance of winning.
“It was our worst performance of the season,” said player manager Rhodri Theaker. “We were slipshod at crucial times and if that happens, it is difficult to come back against a good team like the Bears.”
The Badgers have a chance to make amends next Sunday as they travel to Hertfordshire to play the Cardinals for the first time this season.
The Bristol Bobcats welcome London Mayhem to Somerdale Pavilion for their second fixture in the BBF Women League. The game starts at 12 noon and spectators are welcome.