The joint softball team at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools started its new era with a memorable 30-4 home victory against Cardiff Celts.

The Monmouth Rockets has an entirely new intake of players since its last incarnation and photographer, Mrs Fiona Wilton, captured some of the fast-paced action.

The Rockets launched early pressure on the depleted Celts, a spirited fastpitch team based at Howell’s School, Llandaff, in the match at Monmouth School for Girls.

Charly was very solid on first base for the Rockets, while Tomos and Charlie were particularly impressive with the bat and hit home runs.

Elodie, Hannah and Katie also shone and hit out of the diamond to get on base, while Henry made third base his own and his pinpoint throws to first base resulted in many outs.

Under the guidance of coach, Mr Gareth Dunn, the Rockets’ superb batting was backed up by fine fielding that prevented the Celts from scoring for much of the game.

Not only did the Monmouth players get on base from good hitting, but intelligent, fast running around the bases ensured they turned it into points.

When the Celts batted, Monmouth’s fielding was clinical with very few errors, and the visitors found it hard to get its runners around the diamond to score.

It proved a comfortable win for the Rockets whose players showed drive, energy and accuracy throughout a match that was properly umpired. The Celts’ team was gracious in defeat.

Some of girls in the visiting side had previous fastpitch league experience and the Celts has promised to return with a much stronger squad for a future fixture against the Rockets.