London Met 8-7 Richmond Flames (Game 1) Richmond Flames 12-1 London Mets (Game 2).

Richmond coach Jesus Gandara insisted that nobody is reaching for the panic button after the Flames were forced to split a doubleheader with the London Mets on Sunday, writes Simon Fitzjohn.

The Flames, British champions in 2006, hoped to open the season in style but a frustrating 8-7 loss in the first game threw those plans into disarray.

Richmond however bounced back to cruise to a 12-1 victory in the second match-up, and leave Gandara pondering the similarities to twelve months ago.

Los Angeles born Gandara said: "We started the season slowly last year - losing to teams we really should have beaten.

"We were expecting to win both games today but in the first we put in a god-awful performance.

"At crunch time we simply didn't execute."

A strong pitching display by Australian Brad Crinion laid the foundations for the game two win, and Gandara admitted their strength in depth proved crucial.

He added: "We have a very strong pitching rotation and this allows us to come on strong in later innings.

"The Mets backup pitchers were very inexperienced and once they came into the game we demolished them."

The Flames move on to face Bracknell in two games this Sunday, and Gandara will once again be looking for an improvement.

And he remains confident that Richmond can defend their crown.

"Bracknell away are two games we are also expecting to win.

"We've been able to keep most of the players from last year.

"We've got a good shot at repeating with the squad we have."