A quieter Sunday than most on the diamond, but not one without a silver lining. The Northants Centurions "Gold" squad picked up two wins in Division 4 without a pitch being thrown, as Leicester 2sox were unable to field a side at St Crispin's Park and both games of the scheduled doubleheader were awarded to Northants as forfeits. Over in Division 5, the Northants Centurions 2 "Maroon" side had no fixture this weekend and were not in action — but they don't have long to wait, with a real test coming next Sunday.

Division 4 — Northants Centurions vs Leicester 2sox

There isn't much to write from a purely baseball point of view when the opposition doesn't turn up, but the record books don't much care how the runs go on the board. With Leicester 2sox unable to raise a team for the trip to Northampton, both games of the doubleheader were declared forfeits in the Centurions' favour, each recorded as the standard 7–0 result.

Game One
LE2 0 – NHC 7 WIN (forfeit)
The first game of the day was awarded to Northants when Leicester were unable to take the field. No innings were played, so there are no pitching or hitting lines to report — the win goes down as a forfeit.

Game Two
LE2 0 – NHC 7 WIN (forfeit)
The story was the same in the second game, with the visitors again unable to field a side and the result awarded to the Gold squad. Two forfeits, two wins, and two more entries in the win column at a stage of the season when every game counts. It's never the way any player wants to collect a victory, but the professional thing is to bank the points and move on — and the wins nudge the Centurions to 8–10, firmly in third place in the Central conference.

Division 5 — Northants Centurions 2

The Maroon were not in action this Sunday, with no Division 5 fixture scheduled for the side this week — an off weekend to rest and regroup. What comes next is a proper marker: Northants Maroon return on Sunday 26 July, hosting East-conference leaders Herts Raptors (14–2) in a home doubleheader. A tough assignment, but a great chance to measure themselves against the best on home turf.

Standings Snapshot

Division 4 — Central Conference
Birmingham Bats lead on 14–4, with Milton Keynes Bucks 2 second on 11–7. Today's two forfeit wins lift the Northants Centurions to 8–10, holding third. The Gold squad are still in the hunt for a strong finish.

Division 5 — East Conference
Herts Raptors sit clear on 14–2, ahead of Cambridge Monarchs (9–9) and Essex Redbacks (5–11). The Northants Centurions 2 sit fourth on 4–10 — and host those very Raptors next weekend.

A slightly unusual Sunday all round — points banked for the Gold and rest in the legs for the Maroon — but both Northants sides head into the coming week in good heart. Thanks, as ever, to everyone who came down to support the club. Onwards.