A mixed afternoon for the Jaguars as they split twin bill with the A’s

THE clouds finally parted for the Halton Jaguars on a sunny Sunday as they roared past the Manchester A’s 13-1 in the first game of a double-header.

Halton had struggled in their recent contests as their developing side could not compete against the sides occupying first and second place in the AAA North League, the Liverpool Trojans and Cartmel Valley Lions, who beat them across their last four games.

Halton started strongly behind pitcher Mitchell Cross who struck-out two batters in the first inning and ended the scoreless stanza with a ground out to short.

Halton’s defence also played their part, with strong plays in the infield on hard hit ball.

Manchester finally got the measure of Cross’s pitching later in the game, squaring the ball up well on multiple at-bats, but running fullstretch catches from Nick Bustin in deep centre field kept them to just one run.

Halton’s offence was just as sharp, staying patient against Manchester’s starter, Cameron Waddelow, who struggled to find the strike-zone.

Multiple walks in the first inning gave Halton an early lead that would prove to be enough.

Halton added runs throughout the game, staying patient against the struggling Manchester bullpen, who made multiple pitching changes to no avail.

Flashes of brilliance also lay within Halton’s offensive onslaught as Ian Blease’s towering two-run homer and Ewan Williams’s triple put the game beyond Manchester.

Game two of the doubleheader did not start as well and proved disheartening for Halton both defensively and offensively.

Anthony Hulme was inconsistent on the mound for Halton, allowing Manchester to find their feet and score three early runs.

Halton’s offence equally struggled as early baserunners could only be converted to one run in the bottom of the first.

Manchester added four more to their run tally in the second inning, and kept Halton at bay.

Cross returned to pitch for Halton in the third inning to stem the tide of runs and give his team a chance to get back into the game.

However, Halton’s offence was not up to the task despite a comeback of three runs in the fifth frame.

Manchester kept the pressure on Halton keeping a three run lead into the final inning.

The game quickly got away from a rallying Halton as Manchester added seven runs in the final inning.

Carl Heesom, Sam Burchall, and Nick Bustin worked together in the seventh inning all taking on pitching duties to record the final outs.

Halton tried their best to come back again, but the deficit was too great losing the game 16-9 to an invigorated Manchester squad.

Halton visit the Nottingham Rebels this Sunday, a new team to the Northern League, and a whole new challenge for the Jaguars. ● The Jaguars train on Wednesday evenings at John Mills Ballpark in Murdishaw Avenue from 6.15pm until dark. Games are played on Sundays both home and away starting at midday. Players and volunteers aged over 14 are more than welcome to get involved with the ballclub and no experience is needed.