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| Report: | In what may prove to be the deciding game in the race for 2nd, both managers clearly had selection problems - deciding to take the safe option and settling for their top five players - not a sight one sees often in the modern era.
Knole Park prevailed, but not before Chris had played his socks off in sweeping aside Knole's veteran number 1 David - 3-0. James was reasonably comfortable against a spritely Paul, in spite of a lapse in the second game. James's almost full-time training regime meant that he finished stronger.
Ben gave Alex a fright from 0-2 and 5-8 down by saving seven match balls in the third and going 7-3 up in the fourth. With one ear and eye on marking duties, I didn't witness the end, but sources close to the balcony told me that Alex pulled out the class card from his locker to avoid the lottery of a fifth.
Dan then gave the home supporters a fright with his usual lack of foot movement and languidly late chasing down of tight balls. An easy 1-0 lead became a disturbing 1-1. A rejuvenated 2-1 became a squeaky 2-2. Dan then had a good talking to himself(?) and came out strongly and positively in the 5th to put the KP crowd at ease, although the 9-2 final game score flatters.
With Knole almost safely up with an extended lead in 2nd place by this time - a decisive win by Peter would have helped to pad the cushion. Pete had other ideas though. A rusty lost first, largely due to Mark's sharpness; two powerful and dominant games to Pete and then a very tired-looking Pete allowed a couple of calls to unsettle him and from 7-5 up Mark took advantage to take the fourth. With both players looking drained, they slugged it out to 4-4 before Pete just edged away and provided Knole with the luxury of one more promotion point padding.
Well worth the entrance money for all, and played in a great spirit in spite of one team ultimately being disappointed. |
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| Author: | Stand-in Capo JJ |
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