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| Report: | Something of a Priory on Ice vibe last night thanks to the ongoing court maintenance at PL, but this didn't prevent a competitive match. Sadly, PL didn't get too much change out of thye normal, strong Dulwich top end, but some sterling rearguard action at the bottom of the order gave a very respectable veneer to proceedings.
First on: London snr v Bristow
Court 3 seemed to be the best of the two from a grip point of view, so the two protagonists just got on with it. Jim took half a game or so to get into his stride but as usual seemed to appear in plenty of time for every ball's arrival wherever it was hit. Straight, cross court, high, low, he always seemed to be there. In truth the author didn't play too badly (aside from a few mistakes here and there), but always felt it was coming back with interest, and apparently not too much effort to achieve it! Comfortable for Jim.
Off on court 1: Kennedy v Garner
Tim had thoughtfully timed his reappearance to coincide with the PL visit(!) and played in a pretty relaxed manner, doing just enough to close out the games. Gina put in a good sprinkling of winners and played pretty well, but Tim, as usual had the answer when it mattered.
Court 3 next: Patel v Harsum
A couple of unfamiliar faces (in Div 1 matches anyway) did battle at no.5. A very close 1st saw Nilen just about able to nick it at the end. The PL coaching staff advised a bit more concentration throughout, and not too much dinking it around at the front, and Nilen duly obliged, doing enough in both of the next two games to keep Steve just about under control. A good win and the start of the wagging tail.
Next up on the rink: Peel v Briggs
Didn't see too much of this one, but both players struggled a little bit with their footing. An abortive attempt to clean the court by Nick part way through didn't make much difference. Jack seemed more affected by the problem, and despite getting close in the 3rd didn't really look as though he was doing enough to put Lauren off her stride.
Back over on court 3: Kay v Petronzio
This one was definitely the match of the night. Paul's game seems to be going from strength to strength, and a surprised Antonio (who disclosed afterwards, that based on past experience he was expecting a rather easier evening), had a real battle on his hands. Rallies went on and on, with one gut busting rally in the second topping the lot. It just went on and on, and took a lot out of both players. Winners were in pretty short supply. In Paul's case because he doesn't have any(!) and in Antonio's because Paul kept getting them back.
Paul benefited from rather more of what good fortune was on offer, with a few rather fortuitous winners off glued balls. To be fair though Antonio saved one match ball with a total fluke, but on balance probably felt a bit hard done by. Very close in every game, with Paul just about doing enough in each to complete a fine win against a tough opponent.
Pretty dead in the bar afterwards. Maybe the punters want to keep out of the way while the maintenance work is still ongoing ... |
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| Author: | CL |
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