A mixed but ultimately encouraging Sunday for Northants baseball, with four games played across Divisions 4 and 5. The Centurions Maroon claimed their first win of the 2026 season in a superb away performance against Essex Redbacks, before narrowly missing out on a second in another heartbreaking one-run finish. Meanwhile, the Gold side gave a good account of themselves against a strong Milton Keynes Bucks 2 outfit, going down in two tight games that were closer than the scorelines suggest.

Division 4 — Northants Centurions vs Milton Keynes Bucks 2
The Gold squad hosted Milton Keynes Bucks 2 in a Central Division double-header today, facing one of the early frontrunners in the conference.

Game One: MKA 11 – NHC 10
Another agonising one-run defeat for the Centurions. Northants put ten runs on the board and were right in the contest throughout, but Milton Keynes edged it 11–10. It's the third time this young season that the Gold side have fallen by a single run, and the frustration in the dugout must be building. The talent and fight are clearly there — converting those margins into wins is the challenge ahead.

Game Two: MKA 8 – NHC 6
Game Two was a similarly competitive affair. The Centurions kept pace for much of the game, scoring six, but couldn't find the runs needed to overhaul a Bucks side that looks well-drilled and dangerous. The 8–6 final sealed the sweep for Milton Keynes, who move to 4–0 in the Central standings. Northants sit at 0–4, but the performances continue to show a team that is close — very close — to breaking through.

⭐ Gold MVP — Conor MacGregor
A well-deserved MVP award goes to catcher Connor MacGregor, who was behind the plate for the full duration of both games. Catching a double-header is one of the most demanding jobs in baseball, and Connor led the Gold side from behind the dish all afternoon with energy and commitment. A standout performance on a tough day.

Division 5 — Northants Centurions 2 vs Essex Redbacks (Away)
The Maroon squad made the trip to Essex and returned with a result that will lift the whole club.

Game One: NHC 12 – ESR 5 — FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON ?
The Centurions 2 announced themselves with a dominant away performance, putting 12 runs on the board and holding Essex to just 5. At the heart of it was Alfie Mackenzie-Watson, who went the distance on the mound and delivered a complete game to secure the win. It was a brilliant individual display and the first win on the board for the Maroon side in 2026 — a moment to savour after the tough opening two weeks against Herts Raptors.

Game Two: NHC 10 – ESR 11 — Defeat by one run
The second game will be the one that got away. Northants scored ten runs and had every chance of completing a memorable away sweep, but Essex edged it by a single run, 11–10, to take the split. One run was the difference, just as it has been for the Gold side so often this season. Still, to travel to Essex, win the first game convincingly, and put ten runs up in the second is a hugely positive afternoon's work.

⭐ Maroon MVP — Alfie Mackenzie-Watson
Alfie takes the Maroon MVP award and thoroughly earns it. A complete game pitched in Game One was the cornerstone of the first Centurions 2 victory of 2026 — a performance that set the tone for the whole day. Alfie is already showing up in the Division 5 pitching leaderboards and today's outing will only add to his confidence going forward.

Standings Snapshot
In Division 4 Central, Milton Keynes Bucks 2 and Birmingham Bats share top spot at 4–0. Northants Centurions are 0–4 alongside Leicester 2sox, but the run-differential tells a story of a team that belongs at this level.
In Division 5 East, Herts Raptors lead at 2–0. Northants Centurions 2 move to 1–3 — but with that first win now in the bank and another ten-run game behind them, the momentum is shifting.
Great work today, Centurions. The first win is always the hardest. Keep building.
— Northants Baseball