Category: Headlines

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS STUNG BY RAYS

Braintree Rays at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Braintree Rays 6 1 0 2 2 0 1 1 3 16 9 4
Herts Raptors 1 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 12 10 11

Braintree Rays 16, Herts Raptors 12
Braintree Rays Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 6 3 1 1 Hunter Devine 2b 6 4 3 3
Player 2 c 6 2 2 2 Jake Kikel p-1b 6 0 2 3
Player 3 1b 6 0 1 0 Rob Jones cf-ss 4 0 2 1
Player 4 2b 6 1 0 2 Peter Kikel ss-p 4 1 1 0
Player 5 3b 3 3 1 0 Jonathon Lewys c 3 2 1 0
Player 6 ss 6 1 1 0 Andy Ringrose 3b-cf 5 2 0 1
Player 7 lf 4 2 1 1 Andrew Slater 1b-3b 4 1 0 0
Player 8 cf 3 3 1 1 Robert Crouch rf 4 1 0 0
Player 9 rf 4 1 1 0 Pete Cox lf 4 1 1 2
TEAM TOTALS 44 16 9 7 TEAM TOTALS 40 12 10 10

E: Player 5(3), Player 2, Peter Kikel(5), Jake Kikel(2), Rob Jones(2), Jonathon
Lewys, Pete Cox. LOB: Herts Raptors 8, Braintree Rays 8. 2B: Player 2, Player 7,
Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones, Pete Cox, Peter Kikel. 3B: Jonathon Lewys. SB: Player
5(4), Player 2(3), Player 8(3), Player 4(2), Player 9(2), Player 6, Andy Ringrose(2),
Hunter Devine(2), Andrew Slater.

Braintree Rays IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 10 12 5 6 10
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel 7.00 9 7 2 7 18
Peter Kikel L 2.00 0 9 3 0 0

HBP: by Player 1 (Robert Crouch). . . . . , by Jake Kikel (Player 8). . . WP: Jake
Kikel(4). PB: Player 2(4), Jonathon Lewys. T: 0:00. A: 0.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 1st:
Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home.
Player 2 ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, stole home, 1 RBI.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 flied out.
Player 5 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to home on error.
Player 6 reached on error, batted forward to home.
Player 7 doubled, advanced to 3rd on throw, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 9 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Player 1 reached on fielder's choice, 1 RBI.
Player 2 grounded out.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 struck out looking.
6 runs, 4 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 1st:
Hunter Devine doubled, stole 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball.
Jake Kikel popped out.
Rob Jones struck out looking.
Peter Kikel walked.
Jonathon Lewys struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 2nd:
Player 5 walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 6 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 2nd:
Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted
forward to home.
Andrew Slater walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Robert Crouch hit by pitch, batted forward to home.
Pete Cox walked, batted forward to 3rd, tagged out going to home, 1 RBI.
Hunter Devine doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Jake Kikel grounded out, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones doubled, 1 RBI.
Peter Kikel flied out.
4 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 3rd:
Player 7 reached on error.
Player 8 struck out looking.
Player 9 struck out looking.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 3rd:
Jonathon Lewys tripled, batted forward to home.
Andy Ringrose grounded out, 1 RBI.
Andrew Slater grounded out.
Robert Crouch struck out looking.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 4th:
Player 1 singled, advanced to home on error.
Player 2 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, advanced to home on
wild pitch.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 grounded out.
Player 5 popped out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 4th:
Pete Cox struck out looking.
Hunter Devine reached on error, batted forward to home.
Jake Kikel singled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones singled, forced out at 2nd.
Peter Kikel flied out.
Jonathon Lewys reached on fielder's choice.
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 5th:
Player 6 struck out looking.
Player 7 walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to home on error.
Player 8 walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 9 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error.
Player 1 struck out looking.
Player 2 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, advanced to 2nd on error.
Player 3 struck out looking.
2 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 5th:
Andy Ringrose struck out looking.
Andrew Slater struck out swinging.
Robert Crouch struck out swinging.
Pete Cox grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 6th:
Player 4 popped out.
Player 5 walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
Player 6 grounded out.
Player 7 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 6th:
Hunter Devine grounded out.
Jake Kikel popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 7th:
Player 8 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 9 struck out swinging.
Player 1 grounded out.
Player 2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 3 singled.
Player 4 grounded out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 7th:
Rob Jones walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Peter Kikel grounded out.
Jonathon Lewys walked, forced out at 2nd.
Andy Ringrose reached on fielder's choice.
Andrew Slater flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 8th:
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Player 6 struck out swinging.
Player 7 struck out swinging.
Player 8 grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 8th:
Robert Crouch popped out.
Pete Cox struck out looking.
Hunter Devine reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, batted forward
to home.
Jake Kikel singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI.
Rob Jones reached on fielder's choice.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Braintree Rays – Top of the 9th:
Player 9 reached on dropped 3rd strike WP, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward
to home.
Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 2 struck out looking.
Player 3 reached on error, tagged out going to 2nd.
Player 4 reached on fielder's choice, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on
error, 2 RBI.
Player 5 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, stole 2nd.
Player 6 struck out swinging.
3 runs, 0 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 9th:
Peter Kikel ground rule doubled, advanced to home on error.
Jonathon Lewys walked, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on passed ball.
Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted
forward to home.
Andrew Slater struck out looking.
Robert Crouch struck out looking.
Pete Cox doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Hunter Devine ground rule doubled, 1 RBI.
Jake Kikel popped out.
4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
by AspiDimitrov

HERTS LITTLE LEAGUERS OUT OF BBF PLAYOFFS WITHOUT A SINGLE SWING OF THE BAT

The British Baseball Federation has issued a press release confirming that the planned Youth Wild Card Playoffs involving teams from the Herts, Horsham and Plymouth Little Leagues have been cancelled.  This comes as a big disappointment for everyone connected with the Herts Little League as everyone was looking forward to this opportunity to go head-to-head with the best teams from around the country. 

The Herts Little League Commissioners are considering options for the staging of alternative events and the Herts Baseball Newswire will keep you informed about any further news.

The following is the official press release from the British Baseball Federation.

Baseball Youth Final 4s Playoffs CANCELLED

The Baseball Youth Playoffs previously scheduled for September 6 & 7 have been CANCELLED. The decision was taken for a number of practical reasons. The Youth Final 4s will still take place on September 13 & 14 at Cartmel Valley in the Lake District.

The September 6 & 7 date was the only realistic one available but threw up clashes for the GB Juvenile Tour and for Pony age players who would then be unavailable to in the National Baseball Championships with their senior teams.

It was not possible to move the playoffs earlier in the season as scheduled games are planned. At this stage the BBF was unable to make the planning and logistical arrangements for a good quality event for young players, coaches and families.

The BBF apologises to those clubs and participants who had expected to take part in the qualifiers on route to the Final 4s. The Final 4s revert to its most recent format. In both Pony (Under 16) and Bronco (Under 13) brackets the first and second placed regular season teams, both north and south, will make the four teams. Eight teams in total will make the trip to Cartmel Valley, four in each bracket.

Looking ahead, the planned introduction of the new Little League structure for 2009 will be an exciting development within the youth baseball community. It will bring together all those who work for the promotion and enjoyment of the youth game and enable a broader base of post season activities for participants.

by AspiDimitrov

SATURDAY’S HERTS LITTLE LEAGUE SCHEDULE WIPED OUT BY EXPECTED RAIN

The Herts Little League Commissioners have frantically been looking from one weather report to another in the hope of some good news.  Unfortunately, the weather forecast is so bad that the Commissioners have reached the decision that it is best to postpone tomorrow’s Little League games. 

 

Tomorrow was to be  the penultimate Saturday of the league schedule and the League Commissioners are exploring options of extending the Little League season in order to allow all games to be played out, especially these exciting final games of the season.

 

One option is to use one of the available Saturdays in August (23 or 30 August).  The decision is complicated slightly by the fact that the BBF Wild Card Playoff game, which was originally scheduled on 6 September, may be switched to another date to avoid the clash with the British National Championship Final 4 for the adults which takes place on the same weekend.

 

The Herts Little League will confirm details as soon as a decision is reached.

by AspiDimitrov

SINGLE-A LEAGUE LEADERS TOO STRONG FOR RAPTORS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, ROB JONES

Grovehill Ballpark, Hemel Hempstead

 

The new boys of Herts baseball always knew they were going to face a tough task against the surging Croydon Pirates, and so it turned out. The visitors set out their stall straight away. They hit a string of singles in the top of the first inning, then stole second base, then stole third base. Three runs crossed the plate, and it was a lead they would stretch steadily throughout the game.

 

Raptors couldn’t get their bats going against the consistent Croydon pitching, and when they were able to manufacture runs through walks, steals and errors, it was only one run at a time. When the most feared Herts hitters did make contact, the ball somehow found a fielder. In the end, Croydon took the game 17-3 in 7 innings, and moved to the top of their division.

 

The weather over Grovehill was mainly cloudy, with some heavy showers and just the odd burst of sunshine. That was reflected in the game for the Herts Raptors. They now hope that their hard work and improving defense gets better reward in the last few games of the season.

 

Croydon Pirates III at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Croydon Pirates III 3 1 2 2 4 3 2 0 17 15 1
Herts Raptors 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 3 3

Croydon Pirates III 17, Herts Raptors 3
Croydon Pirates III Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 2 5 2 1 Hunter Devine cf-2b 2 0 1 2
Player 2 c 4 2 2 2 Andrew Slater 3b 3 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 3 2 2 2 (t7) Carlos Casal 3b 0 0 0 0
Player 4 2b 4 1 1 1 Andy Ringrose c 3 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 5 1 3 2 Rod Ariss ss-p 3 0 0 0
Player 6 ss 4 1 0 0 Pete Cox rf 1 0 0 0
Player 7 lf 4 1 1 2 (t6) Robert Crouch rf 1 0 0 0
Player 8 cf 5 2 3 1 Jonathon Lewys 1b-cf 3 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 3 2 1 1 Dave Hamilton lf 2 0 0 0
(b5) Tim Elkins lf 1 0 0 0
Rob Jones 2b-ss 2 2 1 0
Mark Hoffman p-1b 2 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 17 15 12 TEAM TOTALS 23 3 3 2

E: Player 3, Andrew Slater(3). LOB: Herts Raptors 6, Croydon Pirates III 8. 2B:
Player 1, Player 5, Player 7. SB: Player 1(4), Player 5(4), Player 2(4), Player 3(4),
Player 6, Player 4, Player 8, Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones(3), Mark Hoffman(2), Andy
Ringrose, Carlos Casal.

Croydon Pirates III IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 7.00 3 3 3 6 9
Herts Raptors            
Mark Hoffman L 6.00 12 15 10 10 7
Rod Ariss 1.00 3 2 2 1 1

HBP: by Player 1 (Andy Ringrose). . . . . . , by Rod Ariss (Player 7). . WP: Mark
Hoffman(2). PB: Player 2. T: 0:00. A: 0.
by AspiDimitrov

WIN, T.K.O. FOR FALCONS AS KNIGHTS WAVE WHITE FLAG

Herts arrived early to the field in Richmond-upon-Thames for an extended warm-up and batting practice.  It was just before game time that the Knights announced they had nine players and no one to umpire the game.  Fortunately, the Falcons are stocked with sluggers willing to step up in whichever capacity… and Greg “The Motion” Bochan performed a yeoman’s service calling balls and strikes from behind the dish.

Nic Goetz – pitching on three weeks rest – earned his seventh win of the season with a confident return to the mound.  He pounded the zone with five different pitches, all of which he threw consistently for strikes, and the only Richmond run to score came in the first inning on a sacrifice fly.

Two notable defense plays kept the Knights off the bases.  Aspi Dimitrov made his Falcons debut at third base and lunged far out to reel in a screaming line-drive.  Then, with a runner at third base, shortstop Andy Cornish made an incredible diving catch for the final out of the inning.  The Richmond batter – standing wide mouthed at home plate – was overheard to mumble, “Wow.  That’s a damn fine play.”

It was with disappointment in their eyes that Richmond forfeited Sunday’s second game.  Unable to keep all nine players at the field – and still without an available umpire – there were simply not enough Knights to carry on.  The Falcons glumly packed up their belongings and headed to the pub, content to celebrate their uncannily successful tour of the AAA… and to strategize for their presumptive post-season appearance.

Sunday was the Falcons’ quickest outing of the year.  They tightened their grip on the league pennant and bumped their win-loss column to 19-3.  Now, with only four games to play, the Falcons are one win away from the best AAA record of 2008 and a guaranteed spot in the Final 4.

Herts Falcons at Richmond Knights
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 6 5 1
Richmond Knights 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4

Herts Falcons 6, Richmond Knights 1
Herts Falcons Richmond Knights
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jim Hyde lf 3 1 0 0 Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 4 1 0 0 Player 2 c 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 2 2 1 Player 3 1b 3 0 0 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 1 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 1 1 0 0 Player 5 3b 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward dh 2 0 0 0 Player 6 ss 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov 3b 2 0 1 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 1 0 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 6 5 3 TEAM TOTALS 24 1 3 1

E: Aspi Dimitrov, Player 1(2), Player 6(2). DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons
2, Richmond Knights 3. 2B: Jason Greenberg. SB: Jason Greenberg(2), Jim Hyde, Player
4, Player 2, Player 9. CS: Jim Hyde, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Marty Cullen, Player 4,
Player 9.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 3 1 1 0 2
Richmond Knights            
Player 1 L 7.33 5 6 2 5 7

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Player 9). . , by Player 1 (Dan Kerry). . . WP: Nick Goetz,
Player 1(2). PB: Player 2(2). T: 2:05. A: 26.

by AspiDimitrov

YANKEES GAIN 2 GAMES ON CUBS, BOTH TIED IN FIRST PLACE

 

With only two weeks remaining, the Herts Little League season is heating up.  The Herts Cubs have been setting the pace from the very start and for the first time this season they have lost their lead in the league standings.  The Herts Yankees have managed to put together a 4-game winning streak in the most crucial time of the season.  They are now tied at the top with the Cubs.  Pitchers Michael Davis and Marty Cullen Jr combined over the course of the day allowing no runs and shutting down their opponents with two magnificent pitching performances.

 

Heavy downpours could not dampen the enthusiasm of the Herts Baseball Little League players and fans in week 6 of the league schedule.  To start the day first placed Herts Cubs met their nearest rivals the Yankees and they found it difficult to get their offensive game going against Marty Cullen Jr who pitched a complete game shutout for the Yankees to win 7-0.

 

But the real game of the day came later in the day.  The Blue Jays find themselves bottom of the table but in spite of this they have been playing terrific baseball and have been unfortunate to be on the losing end of four closely fought one-run games.  This turned out to be a real classic pitching duel.  Zack Longboy was pitching a gem putting up zero after zero on the scoreboard but his Yankee counterpart, Michael Davis, was matching his zeros inning-after-inning.  With the game going into extra innings, it was Yankees pitcher, Michael Davis, who delivered a crushing blow driving in the winning run for the Yankees.   Another heartbreaking one-run loss for the Blue Jays, but they deserve credit for the amazing courage and determination which they have shown week-in-week-out.

 

The attention turned to Field 2 where the Cubs and the Red Sox were also into extra innings.  The news of the Yankees win was filtering through and the pressure was on the Cubs players.   Finally, the Red Sox came through in the bottom of the 5th to win it 15-14 and that meant that the Cubs’ lead on top of the Little League is gone.  They now share first place with the Yankees.

 

The scene is set for a thrilling last two weeks of the Herts Little League season.  While the Cubs and the Yankees are wearing themselves out at the top, the Red Sox are making a late push for the title.  The League action continues next Saturday at 12pm with 4 more exciting matchups.

 

The Player of the Week award went to Herts Yankees’ hero of the day, Michael Davis.

 

League Scoreboard and Standings

by AspiDimitrov

VENUE FOR BRITISH YOUTH FINAL 4 DECIDED. WILL THE HERTS LITTLE LEAGUERS QUALIFY?

The British Baseball Federation has confirmed the venue for this year’s National Youth Baseball Championships.  It will be the Cartmel Valley Baseball Club, which is located in the Lake District.

 

After the end of the Herts Little League season in August the focus will turn to this event, which is the British equivalent of the Little League World Series.

 

Herts Baseball Club will look to reward the most dedicated, hard working and talented Little Leaguers by selecting them to represent Herst Baseball Club at this prestigious National event.  The decision, which players will be selected, will be a very difficult one for the coaches to make.   With three weeks still to be played in the Herts Little League every player still has the opportunity to earn the honour of playing for the Herts Little League All-Star Team.

 

But before the Herts players start to make their travel arrangements they will have to overcome a tough opponent in a one-off Wild Card playoff game.  The opponents are yet to be confirmed but are likely to be either the Horsham or the Plymouth Little League All-Star teams.  This deciding game is scheduled for Saturday, 6 September.  The Wild Card playoff venue is yet to be confirmed and the hope is that Herts will win home field advantage which will mean that the team can count on its many loyal supporters.

 

Herts Baseball Club’s AAA adult league team, the Herts Falcons, is on course to reach the AAA Adult British National Championships, which is also scheduled to take place over the weekend of 6-7 September.  Herts Baseball Club wants to ensure that these two events do not clash and have submitted an official request to the British Baseball Federation with the hope that a clash can be avoided.

 

The following is the official press release issued by the British Baseball Federation with more details about the eagerly awaited National Youth Baseball Championships – Final 4.

 

OFFICIAL BBF PRESS RELEASE

Cartmel Valley to host National Youth Baseball Championships this September

 

Cartmel Valley Baseball Club will be the hosts for the British Baseball Federation's National Youth Baseball Championships on September 13-14. The top four teams from each of the Pony and Bronco age category leagues will play out to be crowned National Champions in their age group.

 

The Cartmel club can offer a stunning setting for this year's finals. It is an idyllic South Cumbria village with the baseball diamonds on the local secondary school field and many pubs and restaurants within walking distance, not to mention the famous ‘Sticky toffee pudding’ shop.

 

The club has arranged the option of accommodation/breakfast with the YMCA Lakeside on the shore of Lake Windermere with rooms, cabins and ready-erected tents for visiting teams to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Lake District. It should make for a memorable weekend away for both the players and their parents.

 

Spectators are welcome and parking is free. Food and drink will be available on the field.

 

The first-placed teams from the North and South divisions of the Pony (Under-16) and Bronco (Under-13) leagues will qualifying automatically for the National Championships.

There will be playoffs on the weekend of Sept 6 for the remaining places between the second-placed North and South teams and teams from the Plymouth, Horsham, and Herts leagues (venue to be confirmed).

 

Related links: www.britishbaseball.org

by AspiDimitrov

HAWKS IMPRESSIVE AGAINST STAGS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

The Herts Hawks continued their dominance over division rivals the Brentwood Stags last Sunday with a 9-3 victory in blazing hot sunshine at Brentwood. This victory lifts them to third place in the AA division, with a clash against second place Bournemouth their next fixture.

 

Despite their comfortable victory a week earlier, the Hawks were under no illusions they would be in for an easy game, and so it proved, with the first two innings being scoreless. The Stags pitcher breezed through the Hawks order the first time around, with only catcher Dave Westfallen having any success as he smashed a booming double to right center field.  However, the Hawks took the lead in the third with a critical two out rally that produced four runs, helped by an RBI single from stand in manager John Oliver.

 

The Hawks then extended their lead in the fourth, as the pitcher struggled for control, a two run double from Louie Hare being the highlight. Further runs were to follow from the Hawks, while in the field Hare was producing a pitching masterclass, as the Stags barely threatened to score. 

 

Both teams were helped by some dazzling defensive plays, with shortstop Luis Concalves athleticism for the Hawks being matched by his Brentwood counterpart.

 

Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 9-0 lead, unfortunately Louie was unable to complete the shut-out he so richly deserved. Unsurprisingly tired after pitching in such oppressive heat, he conceded three hits in the inning which, together with a fielding error led to three consolation runs for the Stags. 

 

Overall though, Herts produced a very professional performance, and will be looking to carry the form from this performance into their next game against the Bournemouth Sharks. And having now played in a full range of conditions over the past few weeks, the Hawks will be ready whatever the weather on the south coast!