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| Away Report: | James didn't look rusty - but just to make sure he drilled the ball to all 4 corners. Chris was no match for James' court coverage. James took no prisoners in cruising to a well deserved victory. Chris seemed to hit the ball harder by default and would have won more points with more drops. James made him run more than we've ever seen.
The less said about Jerry's game the better. Shane was awesome. Purple patch. Especially on back hand cross court drops. It wasn't a fair fight.
Peter lost. Too many bad shots. And Ryan ran him over. Crucial points didn't go his way - but it's a great learning curve.
Mike's game was fast but in hand. Kevin has a bent wrist action that sent him the wrong way for a bit. Kevin's drops in the front left were a foot high and easy to retrieve. Mike made too many unforced errors in game 2 but the rest was reasonably tight. Mike powered to win in the 4th. The 3 weeks off did him well.
And now the EPIC CLASH
Will and Lazare absolutely mashed the ball. Like a rifle. Dead. And then the other player picked it up. In the first game Lazare argued a stroke on 8-5. He convinced the marker that it was a let and evened up the game 8-8. Both players had chances to win at 9-9 but Laz took it 10-9 with a low drive.
The second game was just like the first. With the exception of a sprinkle of trickle boasts from Laz. But Will didn't wilt. And it was 8-8 again. This time Will prevailed.
The third showed the strain. Will sprang to a 4-0 lead and hit an easy forehand into the tin. Momentum changed - but Laz gave it back and then won it back 5-5. Will fought back - Laz was on the floor and sprang up from the dead to almost return the next one. 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 8-6, 6-8 - both guys dead on the court. 9-6 to Will off a wonderful backhand volley drop.
4th game and Will kept Laz waiting. With the game underway again, loud noises from the court with Laz bitching about his drop that was called down. Backwards and forwards, quarter neither asked nor given. Will took an early lead 4-1. And then 5-1 with a great forehand drive. Laz steamed back 3-5. Front court not working for Will. Laz 5-5. But a nick for Laz and a tin from Will gave Laz the lead. 7-5. And then 8-5 and an amazing retrieval from Laz to win the game 9-5.
Onto the final game. 10.30pm and one game to go. Both boys are soaked and Laz arguing vociferously any time a let was given against him.
Will dashed into a 4-1 lead. Hand out, hand out and a tin. 2-4. Hand out. The gallery were getting hungry. 5-3 but Laz plays a gentle backhand cross court drop. Controversial call in the front court, Laz went ballistic. Let, no let, let, side out. And 2 cross court boasts. Will runs to 8-3. But Laz counters to 6-8 and 7-8. And then it's 8-8. First match ball to Laz. Saved. But then another. And saved. And then Laz goes down with cramp. He clutches one leg and then the other. Great point, depth from Will. 9-9 Will serves. Contact on the swing and Will puts it in the tin - no let (really ??? it was tight, but Will had no opportunity to have a swing) - Laz cramps. Revives. Serves, line drive Will tries to go straight through Laz. NO LET ! Game to Laz - NO - Laz agrees to a let. Serves - Will hits cross court winner. Will serves - ball is flying. Tight drive. Ball into the tin. Will wins.
Awesome game. Apart from the constant challenges to the Marker - it was played in a combative spirit on the court and exceptional sportsmanship.
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| Author: | Michael Wright |
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