New Forest Thunder finish national playoff run as runners-up
New Forest Thunder’s remarkable 2026 season came to an end on Sunday as they were beaten 16–9 by London Mastadons in the BBF National Play-Off Division 5 Final. After winning the SWWBL Division 5 Severn title and then progressing through the national playoffs with victories over Plymouth Mariners and Guildford Millers, Thunder arrived at the final looking to cap their season with a national championship. It was the Mastadons, winners of the London Mets Canal League, who made the stronger start, scoring twice in the opening inning before adding five more in the second to establish a 7–0 lead. Thunder responded immediately. Chad Tew and Kieran Jewell both walked to start the bottom of the second, with a combination of stolen bases, errors and disciplined hitting putting pressure on the London defence. Lewis Kelly and Shaun Barrett both brought runners home, while Sam Williams also scored as Thunder turned a difficult start into a three-run inning. The Mastadons extended their lead with two more runs in the third, but the Thunder were continuing to create opportunities on the bases as Mitch Sullivan singled and stole second. Thunder’s defence prevented Mastadons from extending their advantage further, limiting them to one run in the fourth and getting their first scoreless inning in the fifth, leaving the London side with a 10–3 advantage heading into the sixth. Then came the biggest scoring inning of the game. Mastadons put five runs on the board in the top of the sixth, taking their lead to 15–3 and putting Thunder under significant pressure. New Forest, however, refused to go quietly. They needed three runs to avoid losing on the Mercy Rule, but they each came to the plate fired up, determined to play the final inning of the game. Thunder produced a five-run response of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Kieran Jewell walked before Nath Tew reached on an error, and Sam Williams then singled to bring Tew home. Bryan Barry grounded out to bring Williams across, while further defensive errors and aggressive baserunning allowed Lewis Kelly, Shaun Barrett and Mitch Sullivan to score. With the inning eventually ending by the competition’s run rule, Thunder had cut the deficit to 15–8. The final, open inning, saw London add just one final run, but New Forest again showed their fighting spirit as they attempted to score the 9 runs needed to win. The team had scored 9 in an open inning before, and there was a ripple of belief that they could surprise the Mastadons. Kieran Jewell walked and advanced to third, before Nath Tew grounded out to bring him home and make it 16–9. Sam Williams was then hit by a pitch and stole his way around the bases, but Mets closed out the game before Thunder could mount another comeback. The final score was London Mastadons 16–9 New Forest Thunder. It wasn’t the ending Thunder had hoped for, but reaching the national final represents an outstanding achievement for a club that only entered its first season in 2023. From winning the SWWBL Division 5 Severn title, to beating Plymouth Mariners in the regional championship game, then overcoming the Mariners again in a dramatic national quarter-final before defeating Guildford Millers in the semi-final, Thunder’s playoff run took them all the way to the final day of the national competition. They leave the 2026 season as SWWBL Division 5 Severn champions and BBF National Play-Off Division 5 runners-up. A national final. A championship title. A season to remember.
New Forest Thunder reach National Play-Off Final with 12–9 victory
New Forest Thunder are through to the BBF National Play-Off Division 5 Final after a 12–9 victory over the Guildford Millers in Saturday’s semi-final at Farnham Park. Playing with a place in the Final at stake, Thunder produced another impressive offensive display, scoring in five of the seven innings and holding the Millers for four scoreless innings before holding off a late fightback from the Millers. New Forest made the perfect start, putting three runs on the board in the opening inning. Shaun Barrett and Doug Sutherland both reached base before Mitch Sullivan doubled to centre field to bring both runners home. Sam Williams then grounded out to bring Sullivan home and give Thunder an early 3–0 lead. Guildford responded with a run in the bottom of the first, but New Forest continued to apply pressure. Kieran Jewell opened the third inning with a single before stealing second, and Nath Tew followed with a double down the right-field line to bring him home. Sam Williams then singled to score Tew, before further runs came across as New Forest took advantage of defensive errors and Mitch Sullivan doubled to bring two more home. By the end of the third, Thunder had built a 8–1 lead. New Forest continued to find ways to score. Chad Tew reached on an error and eventually came home, after a pick-off attempt at first he was caught in a run down as he took off for second. Somehow, after what seemed like an eternity of running back and forth, he somehow found himself safe back at first. He then successfully stole second, then third, and eventually scored on another error. At the bottom of the fourth the Millers began to strike back. Joseph Sim also scored after reaching on a defensive error. Ben Burgess then doubled to score Ieuan Carney, followed by Zander Flores’ single to bring Burgess home. That brought the score to 9-4. Guildford threatened to fight their way back into the game, but Thunder’s defence and pitching kept them at arm’s length through the middle innings. New Forest created further opportunities with their aggressive running game. Lewis Kelly and Mitch Sullivan both reached base, with Sullivan being intentionally walked as Guildford attempted to limit his impact. It appeared to be in vain, as they failed to throw him out stealing second, which allowed Lewis Kelly to run home from third. After a scoreless sixth inning, Thunder added two more runs in the seventh inning. Shaun Barrett walked and advanced around the bases before scoring on a throwing error, while Mitch Sullivan added another run on a while pitch. Guildford started the bottom of the 7th inning needing eight runs to force extra innings, or nine to win. Their first batter reached on Catchers Interference, stole second and then got picked off. Joseph Sims popped out and Guildford were down to their final out. The next two batters walked, and the Ieuan Carney hit a 2 RBI single, and was quickly followed by a 2-run double from Ben Burgess and an RBI from Zander Flores. Unfortunately for the Millers, Flores had attempted to go for second after Nath Tew had fumbled the ball in left field. But Tew recovered well and his throw was perfect for Sam Williams at Short to tag the runner and end the Guildford comeback. It was another strong all-round performance from Thunder, with contributions throughout the batting order and plenty of pressure created on the bases. Chad Tew took the win on the mound, continuing an outstanding season for the New Forest ace. The victory sends New Forest Thunder into the BBF National Play-Off Division 5 Final, marking the clubs first ever Championship game appearance. One more game. One more chance to make history. New Forest Thunder 12–9 Guildford Millers
Thunder edge thriller to reach National Play-Off Semi-Final
New Forest Thunder are through to the BBF National Play-Off Division 5 Semi-Final after a dramatic 10–9 victory over the Plymouth Mariners. It was a rematch of the regional championship game, as the Mariners made the trip to Gang Warily this past Saturday. And while the SWWBL Final was a high-scoring affair, this game was much tighter, with both defences on top of their game. After a scoreless first inning, the Mariners struck first in the second, taking a 2–0 lead. Thunder made a strong reply at the plate, scoring five runs and ending the inning by rule for the only time in the game. Kieran Jewell started the momentum. After reaching on a throwing error, he quickly stole two bases and then scored on a single from Nath Tew. Tew scored himself a few minutes later, tying the game. Thunder were two down, but continued pressure led to another throwing error, scoring a third run. Hits followed from Shaun Barrett, Doug Sutherland and Chad Tew, the last of which scored the fifth run. It was an inning that would prove vital later in the game. The visitors responded with two runs in the second and another in the third, before Thunder added two more in the fifth to keep the game finely balanced. Some great pitching from both Thunder’s Chad Tew and Mariners’ Keith Day kept things tight. Day finished with just five earned runs, four strikeouts and only one walk. Meanwhile, Tew struck out an incredible 16 batters, taking him to 68 for the season, the second-highest total in Division 5. Thunder added another run in the seventh, but the Mariners responded with two of their own to leave the game tied at 8–8 at the end of the scheduled seven innings. The game went to extra innings, and the eighth inning produced yet more drama. The Mariners scored once to move ahead 9–8, leaving Thunder needing a big response. They got it. Mariners’ Cameron Donkin came to the plate with a .517 season average, two down and a man on third. After a mound visit from Manager Doug Sutherland and Catcher Mitch Sullivan, Thunder decided to intentionally walk Donkin. It proved a wise move, as Tew struck out the next batter to end the inning. Under WBSC rules, extra innings begin with players on first and second base. When Bryan Barry drew the only walk of the game from the Mariners pitcher, the bases were loaded and the winning run was on second, with nobody out. An unfortunate balk scored Simon Schwarz to tie the game and moved the winning run to third. A tapper of a hit from Leigh Froud saw him sprint for first. In the hectic atmosphere, the Mariners catcher attempted the throw to first. It was wayward, and Sam Williams ran in from third to win the game, securing a 10–9 victory and sending Thunder into the Division 5 National Play-Off Semi-Final. The club wants to thank everyone who came down to support the team, and the Plymouth Mariners for being part of a special occasion. After the game, manager Doug Sutherland commented that it was a tight game and that both teams deserved to progress. Thunder will now face Guildford Millers in the Semi-Final at Farnham Park next Saturday, 19 September, with first pitch at 2:30pm. Another big game awaits.
ThunderKnights Finish Third in BBF Summer Cup Bronze Group
New Forest Baseball’s ThunderKnights finished third in the Bronze Group at the 2026 British Baseball Federation Summer Cup after a weather-affected weekend saw three games squeezed into a demanding Sunday schedule. The combined ThunderKnights squad, bringing together players from both New Forest Thunder and New Forest Knights, travelled to the National Baseball and Softball Complex at Farnham Park for this year’s Summer Cup, looking forward to the opportunity to compete together at a national tournament. Instead, the weekend got off to a distinctly soggy start. Persistent rain throughout Saturday delayed the ThunderKnights’ opening game, with play eventually getting underway at around 4pm. However, after just the first half-inning had been completed, further rain forced the game to be abandoned. The disruption meant all three remaining Bronze Group games had to be squeezed into Sunday, with the ThunderKnights facing games at 9am, 11am and 2pm. The first game saw New Forest make an excellent start to the day’s action, defeating the Great Britain Women’s National Team Development Squad 13-5 in a shortened three-inning contest. The ThunderKnights struck first with four runs in the top of the first, before adding five more in the second. A combination of patient hitting, aggressive baserunning and pressure on the GB defence saw New Forest establish a 9-2 lead after two innings. The Development Squad responded with two runs in the bottom of the second, but the ThunderKnights continued to apply the pressure in the third, adding another four runs to secure a convincing 13-5 victory. Doug Sutherland took the win on the mound, giving New Forest an ideal start to their compressed day. A little over half an hour later, the ThunderKnights were back on the field for their second game, facing eventual Bronze Group winners County Durham Spartans. New Forest again made a fast start, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Darryn Stares opened the scoring before Lewis Kelly, Peter McKnight and Sebastian Chambers added further runs, with Al Galpin also bringing a run home with a walk. The Spartans responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but New Forest restored their four-run advantage in the second when Sam Powell eventually scored on a single from Ben Coxhill. The Spartans then produced a decisive rally in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs to turn the game around and take a 7-6 lead. With the shortened format leaving New Forest just one final opportunity to respond, the ThunderKnights were unable to find the tying run and fell to a narrow one-run defeat. The final game of the weekend came at 2pm against Thames Baseball, who had already defeated GB 15-0 earlier in the day. The ThunderKnights took an early lead once again, with Darryn Stares singling home Doug Sutherland in the top of the first. Thames responded immediately, however, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first before adding another four in the second to establish a commanding 9-1 lead. The ThunderKnights did their best to keep the game competitive, with Ben Coxhill producing two fantastic diving defensive stops. New Forest added a further run in the third, with Stares reaching on an error before eventually scoring on a passed ball after Al Galpin drew his third walk in as many plate appearances. The ThunderKnights were unable to close the gap, however, and Thames completed a 9-2 victory. The result left the ThunderKnights with a 1-2 record and third place in the Bronze Group. Despite the frustrating weather disruption and the demanding Sunday schedule, the Summer Cup provided a valuable opportunity for players from both New Forest teams to come together and compete as the ThunderKnights for the first time since 2023. The squad produced a convincing opening victory, pushed the eventual group winners all the way in a one-run defeat and gained valuable experience against opposition from outside the South West & Wales Baseball League. Most importantly, they had a great deal of fun along the way. Focus now turns back to the Thunder and their National Playoff Quarter Final, set to take place on 12 September. A win there means a return to Farnham Park for the semi-final the following Saturday.
Thunder Crowned SWWBL D5 Champions After Dramatic Final Win
New Forest Thunder are SWWBL Division 5 champions after a dramatic 20-15 victory over the Plymouth Mariners in today’s Championship Game. The title caps a remarkable season for Thunder, who entered the final having won their last six regular-season games to clinch the Severn Division. Their reward was a championship meeting with Plymouth, winners of the Wessex Division, with the regional Division 5 title at stake. The Mariners made the stronger start, racing into a 5-0 lead in the first inning, but Thunder hit back immediately. Kieran Jewell’s two-run single got them on the board before Mitch Sullivan and an error brought Thunder level at 5-5. Thunder moved ahead 8-5 in the second, only for Plymouth to level the game again in the third. The Mariners then regained the lead in the fourth, going 11-9 ahead, before Lewis Kelly’s RBI single cut the deficit to one. Then came Thunder’s biggest offensive burst of the afternoon. Shaun Barrett’s triple tied the game before RBI hits from Doug Sutherland and Mitch Sullivan, a Chad Tew double and a wild pitch helped Thunder score five runs and take a 15-11 lead. Plymouth answered immediately, scoring four in the top of the fifth to level the game at 15-15. Thunder’s defence then held firm in the sixth, setting up one final offensive charge. Lewis Kelly was hit by a pitch before Sam Williams beat out a bunt and Simon Schwarz singled him home. Barrett and Sutherland followed with RBI singles, Mitch Sullivan brought Barrett across on a fielder’s choice, and Kelly returned to the plate to drive home Chad Tew and complete another five-run inning. The five-run rule ended the inning, and the time limit meant Plymouth had no opportunity to respond. Game over. Championship won. New Forest Thunder are SWWBL Division 5 champions, securing the club’s first regional title just weeks after claiming the Severn Division championship. Manager, Doug Sutherland, said after the game “Both pitchers put in great performances today, and I don’t think the final score does either of them justice. Every player played their part and contributed to a fantastic team performance.” He went on to highlight Kieran Jewell as Player of the Day, while Shaun Barrett’s triple was awarded Play of the Day. And the season may not be finished yet. Thunder now face the possibility of a rematch with Plymouth in the BBF National Playoff Quarter-Finals, with a place in the national semi-finals at stake.
Knights Continue Winning Run with Sweep in Taunton
The New Forest Knights continued their late-season surge on Sunday, sweeping the Taunton Pistols to record a fourth consecutive victory and move above .500 for the first time this season. Fresh from last weekend’s dramatic double-header sweep in Yeovil, the Knights travelled to Taunton full of confidence and produced two of their most complete performances of the year, winning 11-4 before following it up with an emphatic 20-6 victory. Knights take control in Game One After conceding an early run, the Knights quickly settled into the contest. Ben Coxhill ignited the offence with a leadoff triple as the Knights combined aggressive baserunning and disciplined hitting to steadily build their lead. Ian Tiffen enjoyed an excellent afternoon at the plate, collecting two doubles and driving in two runs, while Darryn Stares and Andy Bashforth each added two hits. The decisive moment came in the fourth inning as New Forest exploded for five runs. Consecutive extra-base hits from Tiffen and Coxhill sparked the rally before Jake Mills and Stares drove in further runs to put the game beyond Taunton’s reach. Joe Wood delivered a composed performance on the mound in only his second appearance as a pitcher, throwing all four innings to earn the win as the Knights claimed an 11-4 victory. Offence erupts in Game Two If Game One was controlled, Game Two was explosive. The Knights wasted little time taking command, with Jake Mills opening the game with a triple before Ben Coxhill blasted an inside-the-park home run to hand New Forest an early 3-0 lead. From there the offence never let up. New Forest amassed an astonishing 24 hits, scoring in every inning before putting up eight runs in the fifth to put the game beyond Taunton’s reach. Jake Mills starred with a perfect 5-for-5 performance, scoring four runs, driving in two and notching five stolen bases. Mills was equally impressive on the mound, striking out seven across four innings before handing over to Coxhill to close out the victory as the Knights completed a convincing 20-6 win. Luke Callum also went 5-for-5, with four RBIs. Coxhill finished with four hits, including his home run, and drove in five runs, while Darryn Stares crossed the plate four times. Momentum Building The double sweep means the Knights have now won four straight games, the longest winning streak in the team’s history. After back-to-back sweeps over Yeovil and Taunton, the team continues to build momentum heading into a crucial home fixture against the Bristol Brunels next weekend, knowing another strong performance could further strengthen their position in the Severn Division standings.
Knights First Season Sweep, Thunder Stay on Top
There has been plenty of baseball since the end of June, with both the New Forest Thunder and New Forest Knights continuing to produce exciting games as the South West & Wales Baseball League season heads towards its conclusion. For Thunder, it has been another strong spell that keeps them sitting top of the Severn Division, while the Knights have shown their resilience with a pair of dramatic victories that have pushed them back to .500. Thunder Complete Derby Double The second series of the ThunderKnights Classic (TKC) took place on 28th June, with Thunder completing a second clean sweep over the Knights. Despite two competitive contests, Thunder edged both games, winning 15-11 before claiming an even tighter 10-9 victory to guarantee the TKC win for 2026. Honours Shared in Yeovil The following weekend saw Thunder travel to face the Yeovil Whirlwinds. The offence continued to fire as Thunder claimed Game One 15-9, but the Whirlwinds responded in the second game to earn a split, holding on for a 13-11 victory. Taking one game from the road trip ensured Thunder maintained their place at the top of the standings. Brunels Narrow the Gap This weekend brought arguably Thunder’s toughest challenge yet, with second-placed Bristol Brunels visiting Gang Warily in a clash that could have major playoff implications. Game One was a tightly contested affair. Thunder struck first before Bristol produced a four-run second inning that ultimately proved decisive. Despite battling back to within two runs thanks to RBIs from Kieran Jewell and Simon Schwarz, Thunder fell 6-4. The second game followed a similar pattern. Bristol jumped out to an early lead before Thunder mounted an impressive comeback, scoring five runs in the third inning through aggressive baserunning and timely hitting from Mitch Sullivan and Lewis Kelly. However, the Brunels responded each time they were challenged, eventually taking the game 11-6 to complete the sweep. The defeats reduce Thunder’s lead at the top of the division to just one game, setting up a fascinating finish to the regular season. Knights Sweep Wild Series in Yeovil While Thunder endured a difficult afternoon, the Knights produced one of the most entertaining days of the season away at Yeovil, whilst only travelling with 9 players in the scorching heat. Game One turned into an offensive explosion, with both teams combining for an incredible 47 runs. The Knights appeared in control, notching 13 funs at the top of the fourth, before Yeovil erupted for 15 runs in the bottom of the inning. New Forest withstood the rally and secured a remarkable 25-22 victory. If that wasn’t dramatic enough, Game Two delivered another thriller. After trading big innings throughout, the Knights exploded for eight runs in the top of the fourth to seize control before surviving a furious Yeovil comeback to claim an 18-16 win and complete the sweep. Across the two games, the Knights scored an astonishing 43 runs, with contributions coming right through the lineup as they showed the determination and resilience that has defined their season. Co-Manager Ben Coxhill said “not the prettiest of wins, and plenty of room for improvement, but we won those 2 games with pure determination, toughing out the heat”. The Knights other Co-Manager, James Knight, echoed that sentiment, saying “We had absolutely no right to win either of those games – 9 of us with no subs on a baking hot, completely exposed Yeovil ground. Pulling together to win two games, each nearly 3 hours long.” Playoff Race Tightens With just a handful of games remaining, the Severn Division table could hardly be closer. Thunder remain top of the standings with a 13-5 record, one game clear of the Bristol Brunels (11-5). Only the division winner earns an automatic place in the National Quarter Finals, while the runners-up will face a wildcard playoff. The Knights’ sweep over Yeovil lifts them to 6-6, firmly in third place and still building momentum after another impressive team performance. Every game from here carries enormous significance, with both New Forest teams still having plenty to play for as the 2026 season heads towards its conclusion. Thunder are off for the next two weeks, while Knights travel to Taunton to face the Pistols and then host the Bristol Brunels.
ThunderKnights Heading to Berlin for Historic International Friendly
The New Forest ThunderKnights are delighted to announce that we will be making our first-ever overseas trip this autumn, travelling to Germany to take on the NSF Roosters in a special international friendly. The game will take place on Saturday 10th October in Berlin, marking a major milestone in the club’s short but remarkable history. Founded in 2022, the ThunderKnights have grown from a brand-new baseball club into a thriving community with two adult teams, a dedicated home field, and now an opportunity to represent the New Forest on the international stage. This trip is another exciting chapter in our journey. Our opponents, the NSF Roosters, are one of Berlin’s longest-established baseball clubs. Based in the Neukölln district of the German capital, the Roosters have been part of the Neuköllner Sportfreunde organisation since 1990 and boast a proud history within Berlin and Brandenburg baseball. The club is known for its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to growing the game, values that closely align with our own. A group of ThunderKnights players and coaches will be making the trip to Berlin for what promises to be a fantastic weekend of baseball, friendship and international competition. Beyond the game itself, the visit provides a unique opportunity to strengthen connections between two growing baseball communities and celebrate the global spirit of the sport we all love. More details, including travel updates, team news and more, will be announced in the coming months. For now, one thing is certain: on 10th October, the ThunderKnights will be taking New Forest Baseball overseas for the very first time. Berlin, we’re coming.
Thunder maintain charge with Double win over Taunton Pistols
New Forest Thunder completed a dominant double-header sweep, defeating their opponents 26-8 and 25-6 in two shortened contests. The Thunder bats were in full voice from the opening innings of Game One. After falling behind 4-3 in the first, the visitors quickly took control, scoring five runs in the second and adding three more in the third. Mitch Sullivan provided one of the standout moments of the game with a three-run inside-the-park home run, while Bryan Barry drove in three runs with a bases-clearing triple. Thunder continued to pile on the pressure throughout the middle innings. Shaun Barrett, Simon Schwarz, Chad Tew and Nath Tew repeatedly reached base and caused havoc on the bases, while Ben Martin contributed a two-run triple and finished with multiple RBIs. A five-run fourth inning stretched the lead before a huge ten-run fifth put the game beyond doubt. Despite some bright moments from the opposition, including RBIs from Scott Morse and Connor Colman, Thunder’s offence proved relentless. Martin earned the win on the mound as Thunder secured a 26-8 victory. The second game followed a similar pattern as Thunder once again overwhelmed their opponents with a balanced offensive display. After edging ahead 1-0 in the opening frame, Thunder exploded for five runs in the second inning. Ben Martin, Shaun Barrett, Doug Sutherland and Nath Tew all contributed as the visitors combined patient hitting with aggressive baserunning to build an early advantage. The opposition responded with three runs in the second and added two more in the third, but Thunder never allowed them to get closer. A three-run third inning and five-run fourth restored complete control before an eleven-run fifth inning ended any hopes of a comeback. The top of the order once again led the charge. Chad Tew drove in multiple runs and scored several more, Simon Schwarz collected key RBIs, while Paul Edgson, Mitch Sullivan and Doug Sutherland all made significant offensive contributions. Barrett also delivered a two-run single during the decisive fifth inning rally. Chad Tew picked up the win as Thunder completed the sweep with a 25-6 victory. Across the two games, Thunder scored 51 runs, collecting contributions throughout the lineup and showing impressive discipline at the plate. The sweep continues a strong run of form and provides plenty of momentum heading into the next fixture. Elsewhere, New Forest Knights’ scheduled home double-header against Yeovil Whirlwinds was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. The Knights remain third in the Severn Division with a 3-3 record. The Thunder travel to face second-placed Bristol Brunels next Sunday in a fixture that could have a major bearing on the division title race, while the Knights host Taunton Pistols. Photos from Holden Reeves Photography.
A Strong Start for New Forest Baseball in 2026
The 2026 season is now fully underway for New Forest Baseball, and the opening month has already delivered plenty of memorable moments across both the Thunder and Knights. From debut appearances and first wins to dramatic innings and strong team performances, the club has continued to grow both on and off the field, with new players stepping into games, contributing immediately, and embracing the spirit of baseball in the New Forest. Opening Day Delayed by Weather The Thunder were due to begin their season on 12 April away at Yeovil Whirlwinds, but heavy rain forced the postponement of the fixture. While disappointing for players eager to get started, it only added to the anticipation ahead of the following weekend’s opening games. First Ever ThunderKnight Classic Baseball finally arrived on 19 April with the first ever ThunderKnight Classic, as the Thunder and Knights faced each other for the first time in league competition. While the Thunder came away with victories in both games, the day was a huge milestone for the club as a whole, with a large number of players making their debuts and taking their first steps into competitive baseball. In Game One, father and son Chad and Nath Tew both made their debuts for the Thunder and both recorded hits in a memorable family moment. Chad also impressed on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings with five strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Kieran Jewell delivered a strong offensive performance with five RBIs, while Shaun Barrett’s aggressive baserunning helped set the tone for the Thunder throughout the game. For the Knights, Darryn Stares, Leon Negus-Roman, Kevin Lau, Seb Chambers and Joe Wood all made their debuts, with Darryn and Leon both recording hits. Darryn also made his pitching debut and struck out three batters. Game Two brought even more debut appearances across the club. Chad Tew continued his excellent start to the season by going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, while Ben Martin made his pitching debut for the Thunder. Shaun Barrett continued to create opportunities at the top of the lineup with four walks and several stolen bases. The Knights welcomed another group of debut players, including Ben Weeks, Owen Hatch, Cameron Houghton, Peter McKnight, Taylor Symonds-Price and Jake Turner. Owen Hatch impressed with two hits and three runs scored, while Peter McKnight and Taylor Symonds-Price also collected hits in their first appearances for the club. Luke Callum also made his pitching debut for the Knights. Beyond the results, the day highlighted the continued growth of New Forest Baseball, with experienced players and newcomers sharing the field together in a positive and competitive atmosphere. Knights Record Their First Wins The Knights were due to return to action on 26 April against the Taunton Pistols. Unfortunately the game was cancelled, however the Knights pick up two wins by forfeit. Thunder Continue Strong Start in Taunton The Thunder travelled to Taunton on 10 May and produced another pair of strong offensive performances to secure a double-header sweep. In Game One, Thunder pulled away late with seven runs in the final inning to secure a 22-9 victory. Sam Williams collected four hits and scored four runs, while Kieran Jewell drove in six runs during another productive performance at the plate. Mitch Sullivan also contributed heavily, finishing with four RBIs and four runs scored. Game Two proved much closer, with the teams level at 12-12 after three innings. Thunder again finished strongly, scoring six runs in the final inning before holding Taunton’s response to secure an 18-15 win. Leigh Froud led the way offensively with three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, while doubles from Shaun Barrett, Sam Williams and Mitch Sullivan helped keep the pressure on throughout the game. Froud also started on the mound, with Mitch Sullivan delivering an important relief outing to help close out the victory. Knights Earn Split Against Bristol The Knights travelled to Bristol Brunels on the same weekend and earned a well-deserved split across two competitive games. Game One featured another debut, with Kyle Flaherty recording his first RBI for the club alongside two walks. Ben Coxhill claimed his first pitching win, striking out three batters during a composed performance. One of the standout moments of the day came on a well-executed double play, as Joe Wood made a catch in centre field before combining with James Knight at first base to complete the play. Darryn Stares continued his impressive start to the season, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs as the Knights secured an 11-9 victory. Although the second game ended in a narrow defeat, there were still several positives for the Knights to take away. Darryn again contributed strongly offensively, while Leon Negus-Roman stepped up to make his pitching debut as starter before Darryn moved to the mound in relief and struck out three batters. The continued willingness of new players to take on different roles has been an important part of the Knights’ early-season development. Thunder Split with Bristol Brunels On 17 May, the Thunder hosted Bristol Brunels in another entertaining double-header. Game One saw Thunder secure a 10-5 win behind a complete game performance from Chad Tew, who struck out six batters across five innings. Simon Schwarz created constant pressure on the bases with six stolen bases, while Mitch Sullivan and Kieran Jewell both recorded two hits, including doubles. The second game remained closely contested through three innings before Bristol produced a big fourth inning to take control. Thunder continued battling throughout and added four late runs, but ultimately fell short in a 17-10 defeat as rain began to approach the field. Sam Williams and Doug Sutherland both drove in three runs during the game, while Ben Martin struck out four batters in his pitching start before several players combined in relief. Building Something Special One month into the season, there is already a strong sense of momentum around New Forest Baseball. Across both teams, experienced players and newcomers alike have contributed in important moments, while the club