This match got under way a little late as the home side where absent until 7:40 except for Richard Bellamy waiting patiently for his team to grab a knock.
Tony waltzed in at 7:45pm after a 3 week vacation in Goa suitably relaxed and looking well... he joked they were probably in for a thrashing tonight but how wrong could he have been.
First game up was Graham Gorb against an 'out of sorts' Alan Thomas. Alan has recently changed rubbers to a faster version of Bryce and has lost control and confidence resorting back to the much slower sriver rubber for this match. Although more controlled, Graham always had the upper hand in this game and took the game to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Next up Tony Dias against Roger Pyle, Roger looking for revenge against a 5 setter last season which Tony won. However it wasn't to be an inspired Tony won the match convincingly 3-0 putting an end to Rogers hopes of reversing last years result. 2-0 Cougars are looking good!
Next up Richard Bellamy against Chris Ogle. Richard did well in the first leg going down 11-9, but Chris was too strong in the remaining legs taking a comfortable win. 2-1 to Cougars.
Tony Dias now against Alan Thomas... a game which went the full distance in the fifth leg, Alan had a couple of Match points only to lose 13-11. Tony had now made the match position 3-1 in their favour.
Graham Gorb looking to create an upset and guarantee his side a draw was next up against Chris Ogle. A cagey affair Graham confessed he just couldn't 'get in' against Chris and the game went 3-0 in WWCC favour... 3-2 to Cougars.
Richard Bellamy had no answer to Rogers Spin and aggression in the 6th game of the night, Roger putting in a convincing performance taking the rubber 3-0, now it was interesting 3-3 and two games remaining.
Arguably the best game of the night, Tony unbeaten, Chris unbeaten. Tony rampaged through the first leg taking it 11-3, and it looked like WWCC might have to win the doubles to stave of their first loss of the season. However Chris rallied in the 2nd taking it fairly comfortably... 1-1... The 3rd leg went Chris's way as well and the fourth leg Chris got a great start and with some powerful forehand topspins against Tony's service Tony never managed to get into the game, Chris dominated the 4th to take the match to 3-4 for WWCC.
The doubles game was not a a great event. Graham Gorb and Richard Bellamy with 100% losses together, and Roger and Alan little better than that. However it turned out to be an easy win for WWCC.
So after being 3-1 down, WWCC won the last 5 rubbers to take the match 5-3. A great evenings Table tennis, a match played in great spirit and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.
Special thanks to the injured Howard Davies for umpiring the WWCC games... his contribution to the evening did not go unnoticed! (especially by the WWCC team)
Match Report by : Chris Ogle
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