After tasting success in the 2001 London Tournament, Croydon Pirates suffered early elimination at their Roundshaw Playing Fields home on the weekend.
After a bright 18-7 win against the Brentwood Stags, a defeat at the hands of the Milton Keynes Rebels sealed the Pirates' fate in the main competition.
The Frank Brady Trophy for eliminated teams became Pirates' next target but a 4-2 loss to Essex Arrows finished Croydon's interest, despite inspired pitching by Pirates' Australian Rob George.
They gained some consolation by winning their last game against Richmond Flames after back-to-back home runs by third and first basemen Charlie Caskey and Martin Lobb.
The final saw Norwegian national team play Menwith Hill Patriots, an all-American Air Force team.
Menwith Hill clawed back from 6-3 down to lead 13-8 with just the Norwegian seventh inning to play.
Norway got three back but couldn't take it to an extra inning and the trophy went to the American side.
On Sunday Croydon Pirates play away to London Warriors in the National Premier League.
July 10, 2002 10:30
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