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1st Team V Northern 3 -20th May 08 |
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By Paul Clarke
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Tuesday, 17 June 2008 |
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So coming off our first loss last week, we now played the team who finished 3rd last season and who just missed out on promotion to Division 2.
Mark Bailey was unavailable due to work commitments so Andy Hampson was drafted in from the 2nd team.
I had to change the pairs around so the 2 Pauls (Clarke and Mannion) played first couple with Neil and Dave playing seconds and Simon and Andy as 3rds. I knew this would be a tough match with all new pairings and playing the team currently top of the division who have won 3 from 3.
The 2 Pauls got off to a good start winning relatively comfortably against the 1st pair 6-0 6-2, Dave and Neil lost 2-6 5-6 with the second set a really close tiebreaker. Simon and Andy got a fantastic half- also losing a close tiebreaker but taking the 2nd set 6-1.
So not a bad start, 3-3 after the first round.
After the loss last week, I mentioned about the fine margins that can determine outcomes, 1 missed volley here etc and this match would prove the same again ultimately.
Into the second round saw Paul and Paul carry on with another win 6-2 6-0 and Paul M playing exceptionally well. Neil and Dave got a great half against the 1st pair 6-2 0-6 but Andy and Simon losing against the second pair who on the night were probably the strongest and steadiest of the Northern pairings.
So after the 2nd round we were all square at 6-6 and all to play for. We won 2 and lost 2 with Neil and Dave playing the 3rd couple. From a strong position we saw the momentum swing back to Northern and lost a first set tie break and then this continued into the 2nd set which Northen also won.
Match score was a 10-8 loss but in that we lost 3 tiebreaks . We are now 2-2 and really I think we only now have an outside chance of promotion, we probably cant afford to lose any more matches and will have to rely on other results going our way.
We have New Mills next week who were promoted from Div 4A last year and for us it’s a must win match.
Paul Clarke |
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