|
|
 | Fixture Details | |  | | |
Home | Return to Division Fixtures
| Report: | Thx to the Woking guys for turning up with a full compliment and hopefully Ashtead have a brownie point cashed in for the future with Woking if ever we need to compromise. Of course it is far more preferable to play the match with a full compliment than taking walkovers. In the end Ashtead were able to shade the result but it was down to the deciding rubbers in the #2 match to decide the result.
1st on court at 7.15 (30 mins earlier than usual to accommodate John who had to get away) was myself. This match started with no marker (always risky) but soon saw a full balcony as the 7.30 arrivals turned up. This was a good spirited encounter (that can't always be said where I am involved) and an enjoyable match. Had John closed the 1st set set out this could have been a different outcome but it was 1st spoils to Ashtead.
Next up were the #1's and #5's who both started their matches at a similar time but Ashtead were soon 2-0 up as Tom got the better of Dave although again the 1st set was decisive as Tom had to fight back. Over on the other court James and Martin were engaged in a titianic 5 setter with some really high quality stuff and some lung busting rallies. James missed out on 6 games balls in the 3rd set which with the benefit of hindsight proved costly and Martin raised his game with a series of tight serves and drops in the 5th to close out a great match.
In the meantime the #4's had already followed the #1's on court and it was quickly apparent that this was going to be another good battle. The younger Chris who had lovely style and game against the 'older' Dave who we were hoping could use his experience to hold the youngster at bay. In the end youth prevailed and so it was deadlock at 2-2.
Knowing in advance that Mike was always going to turn up at around 9'ish we all moved over on mass to court 4 to watch the decider which was in the process of it's knock up. Woking boys moved to the right half of the balcony and Ashtead to the left as we teamed up to urrge our respective players on. When Jim found himself 1-0 down in the decider (Jim was unable to get there for the earlier 7.15 start hence Ashted switching order) the whispers were soon "maybe next time we don't compromise and claim the walkover at #5" (of course this would never enter the equation, we're Div 7 after all & let's play it out fair and square) but thankfully Jim changed to Plan B (hit it as hard as I possibly can) and this tactic worked a treat as he turned the tables and prevailed against a gutsy Mike. Credit to the marker on this one with both playing trying their luck for a few "soft" calls.
Overall a god night with a nice bunch of lads and good luck to Woking and maybe see you next season? |
|---|
| Author: | GC |
|---|
| |  |  |  |
|
