Essex Arrows 14 Enfield Spartans 20

Essex Arrows 9 Enfield Spartans 28

(British Baseball League Premier Div South)

ON A day when all pre-match predictions went completely out the window, top-of-the-table Enfield Spartans ran out comfortable winners in Sunday's double-header against local rivals Essex Arrows.

Arrows have built up a reputation this season for tight pitching backed up by impeccable work in the field, but all their good practices seemed to desert them on this occasion.

The first game started with Spartans taking an early lead, but poor pitching left them 7-2 down. Chris Trea then took advantage of a dropped catch to score three runs to set up the win. Towards the end, the Arrows pitcher tired badly and the away team were able to take full advantage. Liam Bath scored five hits before Ian Linario's pitching won the game for Spartans.

The second game victory was even more emphatic as Spartans filled their boots against an inexperienced pitcher. In a slugfest that played into Enfield's hands, all their hitters contributed.

Spartans do not possess an experienced pitcher so they rely on outhitting their opponents, a tactic that has worked extremely well this season.

Spartans are currently top of the league with a record of seven wins and one defeat. They are next in action on Sunday June 6, when they are away to Croydon Pirates.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.