Halton Jaguars v Sheffield Bladerunners

CHRIS Taggart pitched the game of his life last Sunday, virtually shutting out the 2004 National Champions, Sheffield Bladerunners.

In six innings of work he gave up only three runs and recorded nine strike outs.

The Halton bats notched up eight runs in this time to give the home team a five run lead after six innings.

Sadly for the Jaguars however an old injury, aggravated during the early part of the game, ended Taggart's time on the mound but Chris Pittard, in relief, did a good job as he gave up only one run in the seventh, a solo home run.

Walking two batters in the top of the eight, Pittard was replaced on the mound by Tyler Mattler but a further two walks loaded the bases and walked in a run to begin a major Sheffield rally.

A batter hit by pitch and two more walks did nothing to help the Halton cause and in an effort to stem the flow of Bladerunners crossing the plate, Nick Bustin was brought in from centre field to close the game.

In this one inning Sheffield scored eight runs to take a three run lead, which was reduced to two in the bottom of the eighth.

Bustin kept the Bladerunners scoreless in the top of the ninth.

The Jags were unable to score in the bottom of that inning to virtually gift the Bladerunners a 12-10 win.