It was a frustrating Sunday on the road for the Northants Centurions. The Gold squad were unable to fulfil their Division 4 doubleheader at Leicester 2sox, conceding both games as forfeits after being unable to field enough players, while the Maroon squad battled hard at the Cambridge Monarchs but came up just short in both games of their Division 5 doubleheader, falling 11–8 and 11–9. Days like this happen across a long grassroots season, and the club will simply regroup and go again next week.

Division 4 — Northants Centurions vs Leicester 2sox

The Gold squad were due to travel to Leicester for a Central-conference doubleheader against a Leicester 2sox side still chasing its first win of the campaign — fixtures the Centurions will have fancied, having beaten the 2sox 14–7 and 20–7 at home back in May. Unfortunately, a shortage of available players meant Northants were unable to put a full squad on the field, and both games were conceded as forfeits.

Game One: NHC 0 – LE2 7 (forfeit)

Game Two: NHC 0 – LE2 7 (forfeit)

There is no dressing it up: forfeiting two games is a disappointing way to spend a Sunday, and it hands Leicester a pair of results that the Centurions would have backed themselves to win on the field. Player availability is one of the hardest parts of running a grassroots club, and a single tough weekend for numbers can catch anyone out. The encouraging news is that the schedule still has the return meetings with the 2sox to come later in the summer, giving the Gold squad a clear chance to set the record straight — on the diamond this time. A big thank-you to the players who did make themselves available, and here’s to a fuller roster next time out.

Division 5 — Northants Centurions 2 vs Cambridge Monarchs

A challenging but highly competitive day on the road for Northants Centurions Maroon, falling 11–8 and 11–9 to Cambridge Monarchs in two closely fought games. Despite missing key players Orlando, McKenzie-Watson, Mistry, Harris and Mobley, the Centurions delivered an impressive offensive showing across both contests.

? Offensive Performance

17 runs from 15 hits across the double-header
14 walks drawn, showing patience and discipline at the plate
Strong contributions throughout the lineup:

Keegan Rigby: 3-for-5 overall, 3 runs, 2 RBI, multiple walks
Max Miller: Reached base 5 times, scored 3 runs, elite baserunning including 7 SB in Game One
Drew Fisher: Consistent presence at the top, 2 runs, multiple walks
CJ Porter: Key Game Two impact with a 2-RBI double
Dylan Devlin: Spark at leadoff, including a triple (Game One) and 3 times on base (Game Two)
Martin Maloney: 1-for-2, RBI, HBP x2 (Game Two)
Jack Gold: RBI in Game Two, plus disciplined plate appearances
Dan Hill: Solid return to action, scoring in Game Two and contributing in his first start of the season

?‍♂️ Aggressive Baserunning
A defining feature of both games:

Miller (7 SB), Fisher (4 SB), Devlin (3 SB) among standout contributions
Additional steals from Rigby, Hill, Burcombe and Porter
Constant pressure applied to Cambridge’s defence, turning walks into scoring opportunities

⚾ Cambridge Key Performers
Cambridge’s ability to capitalise proved decisive:

Andy Chang: Game Two standout, 3-for-3 with 3 RBI, including extra-base hits
James Henderson: 2 hits, multiple walks, strong two-way impact
Brett Edde: Key Game One contributor, 2-for-2 with RBI and strong plate discipline
Cody Keiller: 2 hits and 3 runs (Game One), aggressive on bases
Nicholas Durkan: 3 walks, 3 runs (Game Two), constant threat without needing hits
Silas Lam: Patience at the plate (3 walks, 2 RBI Game One) and starting pitcher in Game One

Across both games, Cambridge showed a clear approach: draw walks, apply pressure, and convert efficiently

⚠️ The Difference

Northants out-hit Cambridge (15–10)
But conceded 24 walks across the two games
Cambridge scored 22 runs from just 10 hits, making the most of free baserunners

? Key Positives

Strong offensive output despite major absences
Clear identity developing: disciplined hitting + aggressive baserunning
Contributions throughout the lineup, showing growing squad depth
Valuable return for Dan Hill

? Looking Ahead
With several key players due to return, and the current lineup already producing runs consistently:

The Centurions are very close to converting performances like these into wins—with pitching control the key factor moving forward.

#Centurions #NorthantsBaseball #KeepBuilding ?

Standings Snapshot

In Division 4, Central Conference, the Gold squad sit third on a 3–5 record, behind a strong Milton Keynes Bucks 2 side leading the way at 7–1 and Birmingham Bats in second at 6–2. Today’s forfeits are a missed opportunity to close that gap, but third place keeps the Centurions in the conversation, and a healthy run of head-to-heads still to come — including the Leicester return fixtures — offers a clear route to climbing the table.

In Division 5, East Conference, Sunday’s two defeats move the Maroon squad to 0–4 (the league table will refresh once the box scores are marked official), keeping them fourth in a tight group now led by the Cambridge Monarchs and Herts Raptors, with Essex Redbacks just above Northants. The margins in this conference remain fine — every Maroon defeat this season has been by single figures — and with the bulk of the season still ahead, the first win, when it comes, could spark a real climb.

Not the Sunday anyone at the club wanted, but the season is long and the response starts now. The Gold squad get the chance to set the record straight against Leicester later in the summer, and the Maroon squad’s two close-run games at Cambridge show a side that is a few plays away from breaking its duck. Thank you, as always, to everyone who turned out and travelled. Onwards.

— Northants Baseball