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 | Fixture Details | |  | | |
Home | Return to Division Fixtures
| Nom | Home Player | Nom | Away Player | Result | Games |
| | Kevin McCaughan | 1 | Chris Sayer | 1 | 3 | 2/9 9/4 1/9 0/9 | | 12 | John Miles | 2 | 'PJ' Rutherford | 0 | 3 | 5/2 2/9 7/9 | | 13 | Andy Blackman | 3 | Gary Mitchell | 3 | 1 | 9/6 9/4 6/9 9/4 | | 16 | Nick Wise | 4 | Tom Candy | 1 | 3 | 4/9 9/7 7/9 6/9 | | 17 | Kevin Kimber | 5 | Jerry Staffurth | 3 | 0 | 9/4 10/8 9/2 | | | | | | | | | | | Games: | 8 | 10 | |
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| | | Bonus: | 0 | 5 | |
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| | | Result: | 8 | 15 | |
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| Report: | Sometimes it is good to have a reputation as a bunch of bruisers. After rumours of the fisticuffs the previous week, Knole arrived at Park Langley with the rap of bully-boys - PL clearly were quaking in their boots. Chris Sayer, having taken the brunt of the blame for his earlier absences, helped to stir up the mood by sporting a provocative Superman t-shirt, knowing full well that Park Langley were without their own Superman (DH).
It soon became clear that PL had all but conceded before the start. Kevin McCaughan was drafted in from the third team to stand in for Dave Harris, having the dubious pleasure of playing thrusting young Rich Oatey of Wildernesse - in a five-setter - before tackling undefeated Knole youngster Sayer.
Most of the PL players had even discarded their 'fat boy' shirts to confuse the opposition. First up, slim John Miles discovered a rejuvenated 'PJ', hungry to end his losing streak. 'PJ' was straight into a length and looked sharp and classy as he rattled through the first two games. He tried his 'shot' a couple of times, but in the heat, John was able to run round the court a couple of times and still retrieve the ball. In the third game a severe call from marker Blackman (scrupulously fair throughout the evening) denied John the chance of taking the match further. A good thing for 'PJ', who was beginning to lose his edge.
On the other court 'Huge Boy' Kevin belied his sporting soubriquet with some quick reactions; good changes of pace and all-round superiority as he disposed of a sluggish Jerry Staffurth 3-0.
Andy Blackman was finding Gary Mitchell easier than expected at third string. On his home courts and using his favourite left hand, Andy easily read Gary's game and his tight forehand driving was always one shot too good. Gary briefly fought back to take the third, but used up all of his luck and energy in the effort. The fourth game was a repeat of the first two - 3-1 to Andy.
Big Tom Candy Mountain at four started well against slow-starter Nick 'Wizzer' Wise (or is it 'Large boy'?). Tom starts late for many balls and can deceive opponents who think they have successfully passed or dropped him. Nick took a tight second game, but Tom's reach and determination saw him through with the help of a string of errors by Nick in the fourth.
2-2 and a tired Kevin M waited for stand-in Superman Chris. We'll never know what might have been. Would the real Dave Harris have brushed aside precocious Chris Sayer and confirmed the gulf between their international rankings? Would a fit and fresh Kevin have profited enough from Chris's complacency and spate of early errors? Who knows? Suffice to say that the last two games gave Chris a chance to show off some of his delightful touches and power against a flagging opponent.
Finally Knole Park, having defeated one of the giants of Div 2, can feel accepted into the bosom of the elite. As Zinadine Zidane must have felt as he placed his head firmly on an ample Italian chest.
The eagerly anticipated clash of the supermen may have to wait a little longer, though. Park Langley 2s are convinced that they will be up in Div 1 next season. Though how that will work with both first and second teams having the same players when they meet each other - perhaps three-a-side?
Anyway, if we never meet again - Thanks, Park Langley - for the points and the hospitality.
YOUR WELCOME.AB
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| Author: | JC retired to get a life |
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