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| Report: | This promised to be a good test of Knole Park's new found strength, following a disappointing first half of the season.
With Cath at 1 to strengthen the visitors, Knole needed most of their top guns if they were to cruise home. And knowing that Alisdair had aged by 3 months since the last encounter, captain JJ did not dare to attempt the double over the fast-rising youngster.
Gary had been dropped to 4 for the home side, to give his morale a boost after having to prop up the top order for most of the first half. Will took an early lead against the wily veteran, but as Gary found his touch, so Will found more in his error bag. If it's any consolation, Will, many a man has made the mistake of underestimating Gary during his 60 something years. He is one of the best readers of the game we know and showed it as he ran out the last two games at a canter.
Jerry and Ian also belied their ages and apparent ill health to entertain the crowd with a ding-dong tussle. In the end it was Ian's stamina and determination that proved the stronger, but a shorter match might have helped for an earlier finish (please).
Cath had come with a list of preferred oponents - and Niall wasn't on it. Perhaps a mistake to tell us that, Cath - but you made a good dart at the 3rd game to prolong the inevitable.
Meanwhile, Mike had taken on the unenviable task of keeping the upstart whippersnapper in his place. Classically trained Alisdair duly did what he was supposed to - allowing Mike to force his way to a 2-0 lead. But Mike was puffing a lot and relying on his walkabout between rallies to stay in the match. As Alisdair's fitness and more orthodox style began to wear Mike down, the match swung away from Knole and a couple of match balls went begging in the 3rd. It looked all over for Mike at 2-2 and Alisdair seemed about to add another scalp to his rapidly growing collection. Determination in the 5th from Mike, and a couple of errors from a tiring Alisdair, and Mike snuck over the line. A decisive effort, which is unlikely to be repeated if these two ever meet again.
So points to Knole before the Geoff/Chris S-B rematch. Geoff had won easily at Beckenham earlier in the season, but Chris has been training. Strength, and speed gave Chris a 2-1 lead - only for Geoff to find hidden reserves of touch (and maybe luck too?) - looking comfortable at the end and ignoring the crowd's pleading for an early end to the evening.
The result should lift us up where we belong (4th place usually) by the end of the season.
A full house at the Anchor pub later (much later than usual) enjoyed lashings of grub and beer for some who hadn't overdone it at the Knole bar.
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| Author: | JJ |
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