Mens Third Team Report – Bowdon (Home) 4.6.09
Mersey went into this top versus bottom clash determined to equal or even improve on their performance away at Macclesfield.
The team, lacking matchplay experience but full of raw exuberance, comprised Dave Lennie and Andy Kent at 1, Roger Robinson and Chris Hynes at 2 and Anthony Jones and John Ratcliffe at 3. It was with some relief that we noted the absence of athletic skilful youngsters from the Bowdon line up but as the matches commenced it soon became apparent that this was more than made up for by the experience and tactical awareness of the opposition.
Stars of the evening for Mersey were undoubtedly the ever reliable Chris Hynes and Roger Robinson (a late call up after clean acing coach Mannion on Monday evening) taking a set 6-3 against their opposite numbers. Elsewhere it was a frustrating evening with out number 1 pairing losing 2 tight sets 4-6 against the opposing number 3 and an agonising tie break against the second string. Was the pressure of leadership and worrying about the soup kettle boiling dry too much for skipper Lennie?
Meanwhile, our third string were battling hard but finding it difficult to convert several tight deuce games against more experienced opponents. Whilst the 1-16 scoreline represented a modest improvement on our last outing we calculated that at this rate of progress we will win another match towards the end of next season.
Back in the bar the post match analysis began and all agreed that the captain’s interesting pasta dish – whilst not approaching the culinary heights set by the absent Jerry Fynn – represented a considerable improvement on his performance on court. There was some encouragement for Mersey when the Bowdon team explained how in their first season together last year they had been winless but one year on were top of the table. More worrying however was the news that this turn around had been achieved by dedication, hard work and listening to their coach.
Squad rotation allows shell shocked stand in skipper Lennie a much needed break for our next outing at home to Cheadle on June 25th. Will the return of Jerry Fynn to the helm restore Mersey’s early season confidence? Watch this space.
