BOURNEMOUTH Bears have won the South West AAA division, after splitting their double-header with the Bristol Badgers.

After a 12-2 win in the first game, the Bears were guaranteed the top spot in the division and a place in this year's play-offs.

It had been nearly six weeks since Bournemouth last played due to a number of cancellations and schedule nuances late in the season. That did not stop the away side roaring into life in game one, where they put up seven runs across the first two innings.

Nearly the whole Bears line-up contributed with the bat, with nine of 10 players recording a hit. Roger Cedeno and Jose Bobadilla were particularly strong, each collecting three hits and three RBIs in the game.

Jose Lopez has been the dominant pitcher in AAA this season and nothing changed in that regard on Sunday. The Venezuelan struck out seven batters on his way to a league-leading 10th win of the season.

After giving everything to clinch the win in game one, the Bears took their foot off the pedal in game two - allowing a good Bristol to take advantage and pick up the win. Marcus Lopes pitched well and picked up two hits with the bat as Bournemouth went down 11-4.

However, it was all celebrations after the games had finished as the win in game one meant that the Bears clinched the number one seed in the play-offs.

After a season which saw them register 21 wins it was a just reward for manager Ben Hyde and a strong squad.

Bournemouth will find out their opponents in the play-off semi-final this weekend, as Bristol take on the East London Latin Boys in the wildcard round.

The winner of that game will travel to London to take on the Bears in Finsbury Park on Sunday, September 4.

Elsewhere, four of the Bears’ Single A side were selected to play in the Single A All-Star game on Sunday.

Manuel Baez, Artie Herbert, Mitch Sullivan and Marcus Senior all travelled to Cardiff to play in the game, with Baez hitting a home run for the play of the day.