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A Cup - Holders Let It Slip
29 Mar 2006
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Biggin Hill are still on target for a league and cup double after their 4-1 win at Bexley. But, at one stage, it looked like the holders were all set for a night out at Lambs.
Park Langley became the other finalists after a close fought 3-2 victory over Cannons.
Biggin Hill v Bexley - Match Report
Mark Steeden v Marc Aldridge 1 - 3
Steve Falla v Gordon McManus 1 - 3
Matt Badger v Mark Lennox 2 - 3
Joss Stafford v Ray Bushell 3 - 0
Rob Lewis v John Lane 1 - 3
The match kicked off nervously with the No.1's, Biggin Hill's Marc Aldridge v Bexley's Mark Steeden. Over the past few months Steeden's season had taken a sudden up turn with wins over in-form Cannons No.1 Sam Stabler and Tunbridge Wells' James Tapsfield. However Hill's Aldridge rarely fails to deliver with only one loss all season at the hands of up and coming youngster Steve London.
Despite losing the first game, Aldridge came back to take the match 3-1 and take the visitors 1 match close to the final.
On the other court, the number 4's were under way with Hill's Ray Bushell v Bexley's unbeaten Joss Stafford. Needless to say both players were up for this one, but it was Stafford who held the upper hand with powerful kill shots and low hard driving. There were times where Stafford's cheeks began to redden and the cool exterior deteriorated - unfortunately not enough to for Bushell went down 3-0. It's be nice to see Stafford maybe playing a little higher up the order next time..
With the match levelled at 1 a piece, the two captains, Hill's 'Pretty Boy' Lennox and Bexley's Matt 'Slackbadger' met head to head. Recently, Badger's game had shown massive improvement and had yielded results against Park Langley's Clive London, and several other high profile matches in the Superleague. No two way's about it, Lennox needed to find something special here. The first two games went to Badger with relative ease whilst Lennox looked dazed and confused. It took Lennox to be 6-3 down and then 8-7 match ball down in the 3rd game to show any signs of life. Lennox dug in to win the game 10-8, followed by the next 9-0. The fifth and final game was perfect for Lennox as he went 4-0; then lost the next however many points to be at the wrong end of 8-5 match ball. Despite two more match balls, Lennox brought it back to 8-8 and eventually won the game and match 10-8.
Whilst the Captains were battling it out, the number 5's (Hill's John Lane, and Bexley's Rob Lewis), were in a thrashing frenzy. Against Hill's game plan, Lewis won the first 9-4 which seemed to only enrage Lane who's diet of raw meat seemed to be having the desired effect. Lane continued to crash the ball low and hard whilst taking the ball early and putting added pressure on Lewis. Too much for the Bexley lad who eventually went down 3-1.
Victory for Hill 3-1, now just the pride to play for as the No.2's stepped up.
Only three weeks ago, Hill's Gordon McManus had lost to Bexley's Steve Falla in a hard fought league match - it's fair to say there was a score to settle here and settled it was.. McManus looked mean and hungry ensuring every volley was volleyed and kills were executed with devastating effects. The first two games swung McManus' way whilst the third was pulled back by a pride bearing Falla. Unfortunately too little to lat as McManus continued his commanding performance securing the match 3-1 and adding to the overall match score.
So, 4-1 to the Biggin Hill and their ticket to Lambs firmly booked..
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