Bristol Buccaneers will play the Cornish Claycutters next weekend in the final of the BBF/South West and Wales Championship after beating Cardiff Merlins A 21-19 on Sunday.
The Buccaneers got off to a great start, at Somerdale, taking a four run lead through disciplined batting and aggressive base running. Although the Bristol side kept scoring, the Merlins gradually began to reduce the deficit with five runs in the top of the fourth inning to cut the lead to just one and then bringing the scores level by the end of the fifth.
Relief pitcher Sam Kaiser then kept the Merlins to one run before the Buccaneers responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Infielder Harley Jones singled to drive in Ting Hin Kui before a Cardiff error allowed Jones to score. Another fielding error scored Kaiser before Tom Rowe drove in outfielder Jamie Hartley on a groundout.
Kaiser starred with the bat, with five hits and three runs driven in. He also got the win as pitcher to round off a successful afternoon. Shortstop and team manager Tim Clough hit a triple and drove in two runs. Hartley and Rowe were also in good form driving in six runs between them.
“That was a tough game, but we really pulled it together especially at the end when we applied pressure onto Cardiff,” said Tim Clough. “The win was well deserved and we look forward to the final and the chance to bring more silverware back to the club.”
The Bristol Bats celebrated being crowned BBF AA Division D champions and joined the Buccaneers and Badgers in the national playoffs, though sadly had no game as their opponents were unable to field a team. The Bats have just two regular season games against Guildford Mavericks on Sunday at Somerdale, but cannot be caught.
“Its been a great season so far and we are delighted to make the national playoffs in September,” said Bats manager, Tim Singiser. “We will be concentrating on getting the two wins next weekend and then focus on making a run to the final.”
Next Up: As mentioned the Buccaneers travel to Truro next Sunday for the SWWBL Championship Final. The Badgers, already assured of a play-off spot, travel to Cardiff to take on Merlins AAA. Two wins could improve their post season seeding and they will want to take the success into September. The Bats will be at Somerdale – the last Bristol home game of the year – taking on the Guildford Mavericks.
Photo credit: Ed Smith.