This week Yeovil Whirlwinds faced a visit from the Exeter Spitfires for the first in a series of “Double Headers” where the teams play each other twice.
On what was a blustery afternoon in Bradford Abbas both teams arrived in good spirits, Exeter beat Yeovil earlier in the season and twice last season, however all our recent encounters have been close affairs.
Kicking off the first innings in game one Jack Amphlett was pitching for Yeovil, after an impressive debut at Newton a couple of weeks ago.
Both teams came out guns blazing, Exeter notching up 5 in the first innings, Yeovil scored 4 in reply, Tom Richards also took an acrobatic catch down the foul line which unfortunately did not count, however his Yeovil team-mates voted it their play of the day.
This was the story of the first game, both teams batting really well, but Exeter just edged it out. A couple of Umpire’s decisions either way and the score could have looked very different for either side.
A change of pitching for Yeovil in the 5th inning saw the Whirlwinds reduce Exeter’s lead, but this was to no avail and the Spitfires ran out 24-17 winners in game one, a tightly contested game that could have gone either way in the end.
Game two saw slight changes to both lineups and Toby Richards took the mound to pitch for Yeovil in this one.
A really bright start with some inspired pitching and batting saw Yeovil seize the early initiative and take the lead.
Exeter rallied and the game really looked as if it could head either way, getting closer and closer to Yeovil’s score with each passing innings, but some stubborn work in the field from Yeovil and some battling batting displays saw the Whirlwinds maintain their small lead.
Heading into the final innings Yeovil only lead by 5 runs, Exeter battled bravely and scored 3, then in the final play of the day Jack kept his cool and got the out at second base and the game was over.
Yeovil had finally managed to win their first game of the season, all members of the Yeovil squad were elated and it was a fantastic display in both games.
In my last match report I said a win was just around the corner and I’m so glad to be proven right, the whole squad has trained so hard and fully deserved this win, I think it’s fair to say every player batted well, fielded well and gave 110% a really good result for Yeovil.
As always Exeter were great opponents and we look forward to heading down to Exeter next month to play them again, humble in victory and gracious in defeat, well played Spitfires!
Yeovil Whirlwinds return to training Tuesday evening at 6:45pm at Bradford Abbas sports and recreation club, all are welcome. Whirlwinds next game is a double header away to Plymouth Mariners, Sunday 19th June, first pitch is at 11.
Jess Cullen (23/06/22)
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