The South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) season got underway this weekend, with both Taunton Baseball Club sides returning to action.

The Muskets, defending Double-A champions, began their campaign at Taunton Green against the Exeter Spitfires in the newly rebranded Division 3, earning a split in their double header. Meanwhile, the Pistols travelled to Bristol for their Division 5 Severn debut, where they suffered a pair of defeats against the Bristol Brunels.

At Taunton Green, the Muskets and Spitfires renewed their rivalry for the first time since 2019. Game one developed into a classic pitching duel between Andrés Bianco and Mike Osborn, with both sides showing early-season rust. Defensive errors from the visitors and baserunning mistakes from the hosts kept the contest finely balanced.

Taunton struck first, building a 3–0 lead, but were unable to extend their advantage as Exeter gradually fought back. The Spitfires edged ahead late on and held their nerve to claim a narrow 5–4 victory.

The Muskets responded strongly in game two. After falling behind early, they rallied to take a 4–2 lead in the opening innings and never looked back. Pitcher James Carter, well supported by solid defensive play including a sharp double play and key outfield catches, helped shut down the Spitfires’ offence. Taunton continued to add runs and secured a convincing 9–3 win to earn a split from the day.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: “We were unlucky in game one but showed a lot of character to come back in game two. It was great to be back on the diamond, and our new players, Chris Ostler and David Van Der Poll, settled in quickly and will be great assets this season.”

For the Pistols, it was a challenging introduction to the Severn division. Travelling with just eight players, they faced an uphill task against a well-drilled Brunels side.

Game one saw Bristol take control early, with the Pistols unable to build momentum in a 15–2 defeat. However, Taunton showed significant improvement in game two, racing into a 5–3 lead after two innings and matching their hosts throughout a high-scoring contest.

Despite a strong offensive display — with all eight players recording hits and four hitting doubles — the Pistols were denied in dramatic fashion as the Brunels rallied late to secure a 17–15 walk-off victory.

Pistols manager Connor Colman remained upbeat: “It was a very positive day despite the results. It was difficult with only eight players, but after the first game we really stepped up. There were some great plays from Steve Coles, Dan Brown and Harry Cave, and we pushed them right to the last inning.”

Off the field, Taunton Baseball Club has continued its partnership with Tricky Cider Ltd as MVP sponsor for the 2026 season. Week one awards went to Andrés Bianco and Chris Ostler for the Muskets, and Harry Cave and Chris Worley for the Pistols.

Looking ahead, the Muskets return to Taunton Green next weekend (April 19) to host the Cardiff Merlins, while the Pistols have a bye before travelling to the New Forest to face the Knights on April 26.

After a brief break in the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) schedule, both Taunton Baseball Club sides returned to action on Sunday, May 10. The Muskets travelled to Bournemouth to face the Bears, while the Pistols hosted the New Forest Thunder at Taunton Green.

The Muskets split their double-header against the Bournemouth Bears, winning 16-3 before falling 14-10 in game two. Meanwhile, the Pistols were swept by the New Forest Thunder, losing 22-9 and 18-15.

The Pistols faced a tough challenge against one of the Severn Division’s early front-runners. The Thunder came out swinging in game one, recording 23 hits across five innings on their way to 22 runs. The hosts attempted to mount several rallies, but a couple of big innings from the visitors put the game out of reach as the Thunder claimed a 22-9 victory.

Game two proved far tighter, with both sides trading the lead through the opening four innings before ending level at 12-12. However, the Thunder took advantage in the final inning, scoring six runs, while the Pistols could only respond with three, leaving the visitors to secure an 18-15 win.

Despite the defeats, there were positives for the Pistols. Rookies Holly Way and Vienna Warren both made their debuts, getting on base and recording RBIs, while Sam White impressed with three hits in game one and two tag plays at home plate while catching.

“We showed some great hitting and defence across both games,” said Pistols manager Connor Colman. “They were a strong side and we pushed them, especially in the second game.”

In Bournemouth, the Muskets were looking to get their season back on track against a Bears side that had struggled during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Game one was closely contested in the early innings, with Bournemouth pitcher Tsz Ming Kung and Muskets pitcher Andrés Bianco both impressing on the mound. Taunton struck first, taking a 6-2 lead into the fifth inning, before adding 10 more runs over the next two innings to secure a 16-3 victory.

The Bears took control early in game two, scoring six runs in the first inning. However, the Muskets battled back with a seven-run fourth inning to tie the game at 10-10. Despite the comeback and opportunities to add insurance runs, Bournemouth responded with four more runs to take a 14-10 win.

There were several standout performances for the Muskets across the double-header, including a triple from Jake Meads, a multi-hit game from Chris Chantrey and a multi-RBI performance from Junior Haywood.

“A strong day on both offence and defence, as well as 18 strikeouts between our two starting pitchers, which is phenomenal,” said Muskets manager Jake Palmer. “We were unfortunate in that second game, but overall it was a great performance.”

The Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Chris Chantrey and Junior Haywood for the Muskets, while Vienna Warren and Scott Morse earned the honours for the Pistols.

Both sides return to action next Sunday (May 17). The Pistols travel to Yeovil to face the Yeovil Whirlwinds, while the Muskets head to Bristol to take on the Bats.

After a brief break in the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) schedule, both Taunton Baseball Club sides returned to action on Sunday, May 10. The Muskets travelled to Bournemouth to face the Bears, while the Pistols hosted the New Forest Thunder at Taunton Green.

The Muskets split their double-header against the Bournemouth Bears, winning 16-3 before falling 14-10 in game two. Meanwhile, the Pistols were swept by the New Forest Thunder, losing 22-9 and 18-15.

The Pistols faced a tough challenge against one of the Severn Division’s early front-runners. The Thunder came out swinging in game one, recording 23 hits across five innings on their way to 22 runs. The hosts attempted to mount several rallies, but a couple of big innings from the visitors put the game out of reach as the Thunder claimed a 22-9 victory.

Game two proved far tighter, with both sides trading the lead through the opening four innings before ending level at 12-12. However, the Thunder took advantage in the final inning, scoring six runs, while the Pistols could only respond with three, leaving the visitors to secure an 18-15 win.

Despite the defeats, there were positives for the Pistols. Rookies Holly Way and Vienna Warren both made their debuts, getting on base and recording RBIs, while Sam White impressed with three hits in game one and two tag plays at home plate while catching.

“We showed some great hitting and defence across both games,” said Pistols manager Connor Colman. “They were a strong side and we pushed them, especially in the second game.”

In Bournemouth, the Muskets were looking to get their season back on track against a Bears side that had struggled during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Game one was closely contested in the early innings, with Bournemouth pitcher Tsz Ming Kung and Muskets pitcher Andrés Bianco both impressing on the mound. Taunton struck first, taking a 6-2 lead into the fifth inning, before adding 10 more runs over the next two innings to secure a 16-3 victory.

The Bears took control early in game two, scoring six runs in the first inning. However, the Muskets battled back with a seven-run fourth inning to tie the game at 10-10. Despite the comeback and opportunities to add insurance runs, Bournemouth responded with four more runs to take a 14-10 win.

There were several standout performances for the Muskets across the double-header, including a triple from Jake Meads, a multi-hit game from Chris Chantrey and a multi-RBI performance from Junior Haywood.

“A strong day on both offence and defence, as well as 18 strikeouts between our two starting pitchers, which is phenomenal,” said Muskets manager Jake Palmer. “We were unfortunate in that second game, but overall it was a great performance.”

The Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Chris Chantrey and Junior Haywood for the Muskets, while Vienna Warren and Scott Morse earned the honours for the Pistols.

Both sides return to action next Sunday (May 17). The Pistols travel to Yeovil to face the Yeovil Whirlwinds, while the Muskets head to Bristol to take on the Bats.

Taunton Baseball Club endured a difficult weekend in the South West and Wales Baseball League, with both senior sides suffering defeats on the road.

The Muskets travelled to Bristol, where they were swept 12-2 and 13-9 by the Bristol Bats, while the Pistols battled both the weather and the Yeovil Whirlwinds before losing a dramatic first game 19-18. The second fixture in Yeovil was abandoned due to rain.

Despite worsening conditions, both the Pistols and Whirlwinds produced an entertaining, high-scoring encounter. The teams combined for 29 hits across four innings, including two Yeovil home runs and three doubles.

Connor Colman and Harry Cave both recorded three-hit games for Taunton, while Steve Coles drove in four runs. However, the hosts edged the contest in the fourth inning with a walk-off score to seal a 19-18 victory.

Pistols manager Connor Colman said: “Unfortunately the rain broke our rhythm a bit, but we battled until the end in that first game.”

In Bristol, the Muskets faced a strong Bats side which proved clinical in key moments.

Game one began evenly before the hosts broke clear in the second inning with six runs from a series of well-placed hits. Taunton’s highlight came through Andrés Bianco, who hit a two-run home run — his first of the season — but the Bats secured a 12-2 mercy-rule win in the fifth inning.

The Muskets responded strongly in game two after falling 6-1 behind early on, scoring six runs in the next inning to briefly take control. Bristol, however, regained momentum and pulled away to complete a 13-9 victory after six innings.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: “We faced a good team today and, while I feel we played well, they were a bit more clinical when it mattered. We’ve got a few weeks until our next game, so we can regroup and go again.”

The club’s Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Holly Way for the Pistols and James Carter for the Muskets. Carter struck out nine batters in a strong pitching display, with his curveball causing Bristol significant problems, while Way scored two runs and added an RBI in only her second game for the club.

Both teams now have a break for the bank holiday weekend as Taunton Baseball Club hosts its first youth event of the season — an open youth session on Saturday, May 23, from 1pm to 3pm at Taunton Green.

A brief break in South West and Wales Baseball League action ended on Sunday as the Taunton Pistols hosted New Forest Thunder at Taunton Green in the Severn Division.

League leaders New Forest completed a double-header sweep, winning 26-8 and 25-6, as the Pistols continue their search for a first victory of the season.

The opening game began brightly for Taunton, who led after the first inning. However, the visitors responded strongly, scoring five runs in the second to move 8-6 ahead before adding a further 18 runs over the next three innings. Mitch Sullivan starred for New Forest with a three-run inside-the-park home run.

Despite recording several hits, including a triple from Scott Morse, the Pistols were unable to capitalise on their opportunities as Thunder secured a 26-8 victory.

The scoreline did not reflect an encouraging pitching debut from Dan Adams, who struck out five batters while giving up just four hits.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with both sides closely matched in the early stages before New Forest gradually pulled away. The teams combined for 32 hits, but the visitors again made the most of their chances to claim a 25-6 win and complete the sweep.

Pistols manager Connor Colman praised his side's attitude despite the defeats.

"Very proud of everyone today," he said. "We kept our spirits up and had a very positive approach to our game, which showed in our batting."

The team's Tricky Cider MVP awards were presented to Dan Adams for his pitching debut and Stuart Cook. Cook impressed defensively, making a diving play in left field to catch a runner at second base and adding several important catches.

Both Taunton teams return to action next Sunday. The Muskets host Bristol Bats at Taunton Green, while the Pistols travel to Southampton to face New Forest Knights.

Taunton Baseball Club's two senior sides were both in action in the South West and Wales Baseball League on Sunday, June 14, with mixed fortunes for the club.

The Pistols secured their first win of the season by splitting a double-header against the New Forest Knights, while the Muskets were swept by the Bristol Bats at Taunton Green.

The Pistols travelled to face the Knights in the Severn Division and, after several competitive performances without reward this season, finally recorded a breakthrough victory.

The opening game followed a familiar pattern as the Pistols matched their opponents early on but were unable to convert enough scoring opportunities. With the teams tied 4-4 after two innings, the Knights took control, scoring nine unanswered runs to claim a 13-4 victory.

Game two proved far more dramatic. The lead changed hands several times, with the Knights holding a narrow advantage heading into the final inning.

The Pistols responded in style, scoring five runs to edge ahead by a single run before producing a superb defensive display to seal a 14-13 victory.

A crucial double play with the winning run on first base put the visitors in control before pitcher Dan Brown struck out the final batter, leaving the tying run stranded at third base.

Steve Coles, Sam White and Dan Adams led the offence, combining for seven hits and eight RBIs.

Pistols assistant manager Sam White said: "A fantastic result. Everyone played their part, whether at bat or in the field. It's great to get that first victory and hopefully now we can push on for the rest of the season."

Back in Taunton, the Muskets faced Bristol Bats for the second time in a month as they looked to improve their fortunes in Division Three.

The first game was a closely contested affair. Despite striking out eight batters, Muskets pitcher Andrés Bianco was left on the losing side as Bristol did just enough to secure a 4-1 win.

With a depleted squad available, the hosts struggled to maintain that level in the second game. The Bats' powerful batting line-up proved decisive, with home runs from Luca McCurdy and Darius Tamosiunas helping Bristol to a commanding 20-5 victory.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: "A tough day all round. We competed in the first game, but we couldn't quite follow that through into game two. We'll regroup and go again in a couple of weeks."

The club's Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Chris Chantrey and José Bobadilla for the Muskets, and Richard Hingston and Dan Brown for the Pistols.

Chantrey caught both games against Bristol and made several important plays at home plate, while Bobadilla impressed on the bases and in the field.

Hingston enjoyed an excellent full debut for the Pistols, collecting three hits, three stolen bases and an RBI. Brown contributed three RBIs and three stolen bases before closing out the victory with the game-ending strikeout.

Both Taunton sides have a weekend off before returning to action on Sunday, June 28. The Muskets travel to Cardiff to face the Merlins, while the Pistols host the Yeovil Whirlwinds at Taunton Green.

The South West and Wales Baseball League returned in full swing for Taunton Baseball Club on Sunday (June 28), with both teams in action.

The Muskets travelled to Cardiff to face the Merlins, while the Pistols hosted the Yeovil Whirlwinds at Taunton Green.

The Muskets put up a spirited fight against the league leaders but suffered two narrow defeats, losing 10-7 and 7-5. Meanwhile, the Pistols enjoyed a successful day at home, winning two of their three games against Yeovil after completing a rain-suspended fixture.

The day began with the resumption of a previously abandoned game, tied at 4-4 with Yeovil having two outs and a runner on third base. The visitors made the brighter start, scoring twice before restricting the Pistols to a single run in reply. Three more insurance runs in the third inning secured a 9-5 victory for the Whirlwinds.

The Pistols responded in style in game two. Pitcher Stuart Cook, making his first appearance on the mound this season, restricted Yeovil to just one early run as the hosts raced into a 4-1 lead. Although the Whirlwinds battled back, the Pistols kept the scoreboard ticking over, with rookie Richard Hingston and veteran Dan Brown combining for eight RBIs.

Yeovil held a three-run lead heading into the final inning, but the Pistols produced a dramatic finish. Down to their final out, Sarah Marsh delivered an infield single to drive home the winning run and complete a thrilling 16-15 walk-off victory.

The final game proved to be a tighter contest, with neither side scoring after the third inning. Dan Brown starred on the mound, striking out five batters while allowing just three hits and two runs. The Pistols continued to swing the bats well, collecting 13 hits on their way to an 8-2 win.

Pistols assistant manager Sam White said: "That's three wins in our last four games, which is great momentum going into the second half of the season. We were very good with the bat today, but it's probably the best we've played defensively all season. Everyone played their part."

In Cardiff, the Muskets knew they faced a difficult challenge against the table-topping Merlins. Both games followed a similar pattern, with strong pitching on both sides limiting scoring opportunities. However, the Merlins capitalised on their chances more effectively, while a handful of costly innings proved decisive.

Despite rallying in both contests, the Muskets were unable to overturn the deficits as the Merlins completed a double-header sweep with 10-7 and 7-5 victories.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: "We knew this would be a hard trip, but we played well and competed throughout, even when we were up against it. If we keep playing like we have been recently, then the wins will start coming our way."

This week's Tricky Cider MVP awards were dominated by the pitchers following impressive performances across both teams.

Cook and Brown collected the honours for the Pistols after earning victories on the mound, while James Carter produced an excellent outing for the Muskets in game two, throwing four scoreless innings before the Merlins fought back.

David Van Der Poll was recognised for his batting after bouncing back from some hard-hit balls finding fielders in game one. He finished game two with a single and a double to cap an impressive display at the plate.

Both Taunton teams return to action on Sunday, July 5. The Pistols host the Bristol Brunels at Taunton Green, while the Muskets travel to Exeter to take on the Spitfires.

With the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) season entering its final stages, both the Muskets and Pistols were in action on Sunday, July 5. The Muskets shared the spoils with the Exeter Spitfires, losing the opening game 9-3 before bouncing back to win the second 14-2. Meanwhile, the Pistols also split their double-header against the Bristol Brunels at Taunton Green, going down 20-4 before responding with an impressive 11-3 victory.

The Muskets travelled to Exeter for the reverse fixture of their opening-day meeting, with game one following a familiar pattern. Despite outhitting the Spitfires 11-8, the visitors were unable to convert their opportunities, leaving 11 runners stranded on base. A six-run fourth inning from the hosts proved decisive as Exeter secured a 9-3 victory.

Game two was far more evenly contested until the Muskets seized control in the fourth inning. James Carter delivered an outstanding performance on the mound, striking out 11 batters while allowing just two runs over seven innings to guide his side to a convincing 14-2 win. At the top of the batting order, Chris Ostler and David Van Der Poll set the tone, combining for five hits and five runs.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: "A good day overall. We could have done a bit more in game one, but we imposed ourselves in game two and got a well-fought win."

At Taunton Green, the Pistols welcomed the Bristol Brunels, who arrived second in the Severn Division with a 9-5 record. Game one proved a difficult afternoon for the hosts as they struggled to contain Bristol's offence. The Brunels amassed 20 runs from 21 hits, and although the Pistols rallied in the fourth inning, they were unable to recover from the early deficit, eventually falling 20-4.

The home side responded superbly in game two, racing into a 4-1 lead before steadily adding to their advantage over the following innings. Pitchers Stuart Cook and Harry Cave combined for a four-inning no-hitter, backed by an excellent defensive display that included two double plays to keep the Brunels off the bases. Strong hitting throughout the line-up helped the Pistols seal an impressive 11-3 victory.

Pistols assistant manager Sam White said: "A brilliant performance today. Game one we were unlucky, but game two showed how defensively sound we can be as a team. Great decision-making and some amazing plays, including an unassisted double play to end the game."

The Tricky Cider MVP awards went to James Carter and David Van Der Poll for the Muskets, and Harry Cave and Connor Colman for the Pistols.

Carter's dominant pitching performance included 11 strikeouts while conceding just two runs across seven innings. Van Der Poll enjoyed an excellent day at the plate, recording four hits across the two games, including three doubles.

For the Pistols, Cave closed out game two with two scoreless innings of relief to preserve the combined no-hitter, while Colman impressed both behind the plate and in the field. He also crossed home plate three times and stole four bases.

Next Sunday, July 12, the Muskets return to Taunton Green to host the Bournemouth Bears, while the Pistols have a weekend off.

Only one of Taunton Baseball Club's teams was in South West and Wales Baseball League action this weekend, as the Muskets hosted Bournemouth Bears in a Division Three double-header at Taunton Green.

The two closely contested games ended with one win apiece. Bournemouth claimed the opening game 15-10 before the Muskets responded with a dramatic 7-6 victory in game two.

The first game was a high-scoring affair, with the two teams combining for 33 hits and 25 runs. The Bears established an early lead, and although the Muskets fought back to close the gap in the later innings, they were unable to complete the comeback.

Dan Kirby-James and Andrés Bianco led the Taunton offence with multiple hits each, including four doubles between them, but a late rally from the hosts was halted as Bournemouth held on for a 15-10 win.

Game two saw both teams contend not only with each other but also the afternoon heat. This time, the Muskets made the brighter start, keeping the Bears scoreless in the opening inning before scoring three runs themselves. A further run extended Taunton's advantage before Bournemouth responded with a three-run inning to level the contest.

With the game finely balanced, pitcher James Carter proved the difference. He restored the Muskets' lead by hitting the first home run of his career before producing the decisive defensive play in the final inning. With the tying run on second base, Carter caught a sharply hit line drive and turned it into a game-ending double play to secure a thrilling 7-6 victory.

Taunton Baseball Club secretary Chris Chantrey said: "This division has its challenges, but when we enjoy our baseball we can compete with anyone, and game two showed that. We were a bit unlucky in game one, but we tightened up in game two and some superb performances got us over the line."

There were also several winners of the club's Tricky Cider MVP awards. Carter was recognised for both his first career home run and the game-winning defensive play, while Steve Coles, Stuart Cook and Dan Brown of the Pistols also shared an award. Coles and Cook were both called up to make their season debuts for the Muskets, while Brown scored both games.

Both Taunton teams return to action on Sunday, July 19. The Pistols host New Forest Knights at Taunton Green, while the Muskets travel to face Exeter Spitfires.

With less than a month remaining in the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) season, both Taunton Baseball Club sides were in action on Sunday, July 19.

The Muskets travelled to Exeter to face the Spitfires, while the Pistols welcomed the New Forest Knights to Taunton Green. It proved to be a day of mixed fortunes, with the Muskets completing an impressive double-header sweep, winning 15-7 and 18-2, while the Pistols suffered defeats of 11-4 and 20-6.

Having shared the spoils on their previous visit to Exeter, the Muskets arrived determined to make up ground in the standings and came out swinging in game one, racing into a 4-0 lead.

A five-run fourth inning helped extend their advantage as the defence kept the Spitfires in check. Every Muskets starter recorded at least one hit in the 15-7 victory, with José Bobadilla hitting a home run and Chris Cranmer adding a stand-up triple.

The second game began much tighter. The Muskets established a 2-0 lead before Exeter's Andrew Donovan levelled the scores with a two-run home run.

Taunton seized control in the third inning, scoring eight runs as Andrés Bianco and José Bobadilla both cleared the fences. Further big innings followed as the Muskets cruised to an 18-2 victory.

Pitcher James Carter continued his outstanding recent form, allowing just four hits across five innings as the Muskets completed the sweep.

Muskets manager Jake Palmer said: "It's taken a while for us to secure a sweep this season, but that was a full team effort and well deserved off the back of our recent form."

At Taunton Green, the Pistols faced a New Forest side chasing a place in the post-season. The teams were evenly matched through the opening innings, but the visitors gradually pulled clear as the home side struggled to convert hits into runs.

A five-run fourth inning gave the Knights an 11-1 advantage before the Pistols mounted a late three-run rally, eventually falling 11-4.

There were still several encouraging individual performances. Rookie Miguel Loura collected two hits and an RBI, teenager Harry Cave recorded two hits and struck out two batters in relief, while starting pitcher Dan Adams struck out nine.

The Knights carried that momentum into game two, collecting 24 hits in five innings, including four doubles, two triples and a home run, on their way to a 20-6 victory.

The Pistols managed six runs from six hits but were unable to keep pace with the visitors, leaving them with a 4-14 record in the Severn Division.

Pistols manager Connor Colman said: "A difficult day on the diamond, but we came up against a very good side. We'll take the lessons from today and move on to next weekend."

The Tricky Cider MVP awards went to Muskets trio James Carter, Andrés Bianco and José Bobadilla, while Gemma O'Toole and Dan Brown claimed the honours for the Pistols.

Carter threw just 53 pitches across five innings while conceding only four hits. Bianco struck out seven batters and collected nine hits across the two games, including a home run, while Bobadilla enjoyed another outstanding day at the plate with seven hits, including three doubles and two home runs.

For the Pistols, O'Toole scored twice, stole three bases and produced several fine defensive plays, while Brown finished with three hits, including a double, and stole four bases.

Taunton Baseball Club returns to action on Sunday, July 26, when the Pistols host the Yeovil Whirlwinds at Taunton Green. The club will also be running a stall at the sports fair at Somerset County Cricket Ground on the same day.