Halton Trojans vs Sheffield Cubs —06/06/21

On Sunday the Halton Trojans made their long-awaited debut on an away trip to another new team the Sheffield Cubs.

Game 1 started off very promising for the Rookie Trojans side with the first two batter’s going down, Callum Abel singled over 3 rd base and stole 2nd then up stepped James (Twiggy) Williams who hit a hard-line drive double to left field driving in Abel to give the Trojans a 1 to 0 lead, before a groundout ended a chance of more runs.

The Trojans then Looked to promising starting Pitcher, Jordan Griffiths on the mound to shut down the Cubs offense and his debut couldn’t have got off to a better start, with a 3 up 3 down inning with some strong defense of the Trojans, Starting with Jordan throwing out the first batter with a bunt straight back to him followed by Dan Meekin with a great play at 3rd throwing out the runner at first, then one of the plays of the game happened, Twiggy who after smashing in the lead run made a full stretch diving catch at 2 nd base, giving the Trojans growing confidence.

With the Trojans back up to bat, Jack Jones got on with a lead off walk, stole 2nd and Cameron Millar dropped the perfect bunt moving Jack up to 3rd. Up stepped Jordan Griffiths with a line-drive single to left field to give himself and the Trojans a 2-0 lead, unfortunately, the next 2 batters striking out leaving bases loaded which would come back to hurt the

young Trojans.

The Cubs came to bat with the intention to punish the Trojans With Jordan walking the first two batters followed by a double from Guy French to level the game. The pressure kept building the Trojan’s defense started to make errors and a balk to give the Cubs the lead. The Trojans nearly got out of the inning with a play any 1 st base major leaguer would be proud of! Callum Abel took a hard-hit line-drive with a diving play and tagging first to get the double play only for 2 nd base and 3 rd base shouting for the ball with Callum unaware of the chance of a triple play was just a throwaway. After that came a string of singles giving the Cubs a comfortable 9 to 2 lead and an end to Jordan Griffiths game on the mound, the Veteran Chris Gary took to the mound hoping his experience would get them out of a tough inning, which went straight to plan with a pop up to 3 rd ending the inning.

In the 3rd inning, the Trojans knew time was running out and started off promising. Dan Meekin walked then stole 2nd followed by a single from Sam Pendlebury followed by a throwing error which scored Dan and moved Sam up to 2nd, Sam got to 3 rd on a pass ball, another pass ball followed and Sam tried to get home but was tagged out at home plate. The next two batters for the Trojans popped out and struck out leaving the Trojans with an uphill battle.

With Chris Gary going back to the mound a dropped 3 rd strike got the Cubs a baserunner on followed by a walk, the next batter flew out to left field with Sam Pendlebury making the catch and the runner on 2nd not tagging up, Sam threw the runner out turning the double play, Chris then ended the inning with a ground ball back at him then throwing the runner

out at first.

The Trojans went out to bat with Chris leading of the inning with a single, then moving to 3 rd and 2 consecutive wild pitches and Cameron driving in his 2 nd RBI of the day with a single and moving round the bases with a stolen base and a pass ball, the next two batters would strike out leaving the Trojans hanging on. A wild pitch saw Millar come home to make it 9 to 5 and A dropped 3 rd Strike got Twiggy to 1 st then with him feeling adventurous stole 2nd, Dan Meekin then drove in Twig with a Bullet of a line-drive double giving the Trojans hope of an incredible comeback, a wild pitch saw Dan get to 3 rd with the Trojans on their feet Sam connect well with the ball only to be caught out by 2

nd base ending the comeback.

Kirsty Wright took the Win with Jordan Griffiths taking the loss.

Game 2 Started off bright again for the Trojans 1 st inning Saw the Trojans take a 3-0 lead with 4 walks an Error and an RBI, single from Alan Gordan which took a toll with him pulling up with an injury, but once again the Trojans would come to pay for leaving bases loaded.

Joshua Deakin took to the mound for the Trojans but after walking the first 3 batters and up in the count on the 4th batter would pull up with a back injury cutting his day short of baseball. Sam Pendlebury would then take to the mound, a few pass balls and wild pitches had the game level followed by 2 walks, Sam then struck out the first out only for the next 3 batters to reach base the and the trojans down 8 to 3, Chris Gary came back to the mound apart from this time wouldn’t go as smooth as the game before a walk and a single to the first 2 batters The Trojans got a little relief with a pop up to Chris on the mound, only for errors to kick into the Trojans Defence, Chris struggling to get them out of the inning he was then replaced by Jordan looking a lot more composed on the mound though walking the first batter he struck out the next leaving the Trojans 14 to 3 behind.

A couple of walks in the 2nd inning and a wild pitch saw the Trojans pull a run back, but once again left 2 baserunners on come to the end of the inning.

Jordan in the 2 nd inning was a lot calmer on the mound and the Trojans Defence looking stronger started the inning with a flyball to CF, a walk, stolen base and a single drove another run in for the Cubs but a flyball to Jordan and a Ground ball to Matt Robinson ended anymore damage being done.

With a long 1 st inning coming back to bite The Trojans went into the 3 rd inning knowing it would be their last chance 15 to 4 down but the Trojans could only get two men on but could do no more.

WP: J Pritchard LP: Sam Pendlebury

For their first competitive game every player can hold their head high, both games came down to one bad inning, The Trojans showed some great Defensive display and can build on from the first game and come back stronger against the Sheffield Bladerunners III next Sunday.