If Steve Leven was famous the gutter press would be having a field day after the latest vicious, foul and scandalous allegation made by Mr S Leven against Ian Banfield ( me! )
In a blatant and successful attempt to upset the Eagles Mr Leven alleged that I do not have a back injury and my pain killers are in fact illegal substances known by the ITTF designed to enhance by 0.5% table tennis performance!! Steve, I think I will take that ball after all!
This allegation is denied. However the Eagles players were so outraged as to want to walk out and concede the match. As captain and made of stern stuff I insisted we played on.
MATCH REPORT……
WWCC were not worthy winners 7-1, winning entirely due to 71 nets/edges and two funny bats. One of those matches where you are fated to get nothing!
Brian lost in five in a match he threw away against some chap who played with a piece of wood with a 35 year old pimply bit of rubber with no sponge.
James took a set of Rolands’ pimply bat but the pimples forced too many errors .
Ian having always been thrashed by Russell Davies was amazed at being 2 sets all and was determined too start well in the fifth which he didn’t and lost 2-11.lol.
James played the old pimply bat and threw away a two set lead. But following my advice to hit the ball harder and faster he managed to steal the fifth set at 11-9.
James did well against an in form Russell losing 0-3 but two sets were deuce.
Ian struggled against Rolands bat but got used to it in the second set at 9-7 up but blew it with terrible shots trying to force the win. Then a gross piece of bad sportsmanship! Roland sensing I had got used to his bat actually changed it but did not let me know. By the time I had sussed out the weird noises like a broken ball and totally different back hand spin, it was too late.
If WWCC get as many nets and edges in their remaining games then their ambition of div 1 champs could happen!
Match report by : Ian Banfield
Nets Edges and Funny Bats. Ian Banfield I cannot believe that you would suggest I changed my bat in Mid Game which I did not and in actual fact I do know the rules which in actual fact one of your team does not as they changed bats in the doubles. Check the rules and you will find that unless you break your bat after knocking up you are NOT allowed to change your bat mid game.. I did think I had broken my bat as it did make a funny noise but it was due to rubber flapping and not stuck to the bat properly and had come adrift. Sorry we won 7-1 but you will just have to try harder.
Posted by: Roley Stanbridge | 02/17/2010 at 05:41 PM
Well you did you tell me you had changed your bat half way through the third set? Accidentally of course you suggested!! It was a different bat and you know it.
It wasnt me who changed bat in the doubles. If you know the rules you should have told Brian. What has that got to do with me?
Sorry you won 7-1? Bit serious arnt we?? Its good to win but i play just for something to do and i dont really care too much if my team wins or loses.
Posted by: ian banfield | 02/17/2010 at 06:11 PM
Actually, David Edwards clarified that you are actually allowed to change your bat at ANY time in a Watford League match (the bat change Rule only applies to events involving ETTA Ranking Points)! However, the new bat should be advised to the umpire / opponent(s), who have the right to look at the bat (same as at the start of the match)!
Posted by: Martin Johnson | 02/18/2010 at 06:39 AM
Martin is correct and beat me to the reply. However, I think to change a racket in the middle of a game, unless it is damaged, could be deemed as unsportsmanlike and is to be discouraged.
Posted by: David Edwards | 02/18/2010 at 10:12 AM
A few years ago in Middlesex/Essex leagues there was a player who I will not name (but I'll call him JT) who was very defensive and would often go to expedite with other defenders. He would then change his bat after every point: slow combination bat for receiving, faster more orthodox bat for serving. I had seen him destroy decent players who could not get their heads around it. He did it to me the first time it happened but I went home and thought about it. Next time I played him I managed to reverse the psychology and I murdered him at expedite.
And isn't this the point? Players use the bats that suit them and every combination has strengths and weaknesses. It is up to me to work out how to play against it. Often this will be during a match but, if not, I want to make sure that I have sussed it for next time. There is real satisfaction in this and I recommend it.
For myself, I don't care if my opponent plays with a frying pan. If I am good enough, I will work out what to do and win.
Posted by: Mike McGarry | 02/19/2010 at 10:26 AM
to be fair, if the opponent was playing with a frying pan i'd fancy my chances of winning as well
Posted by: Dave Soloway | 02/20/2010 at 05:55 PM
Standard aluminium on the backhand but Teflon on the forehand!
Posted by: Mike McGarry | 02/21/2010 at 01:02 AM
wouldn't generate much spin with that non-stick forehand!
Posted by: Dave Soloway | 02/21/2010 at 08:49 PM
Many players semen to forget that the game was played with all pimples for years and years before the Japanese turned up with the reversed sandwich bats.
The latter bats virtually destroyed the use of pimples until recently (well, the last ten years or so) when us pimpler's _backhand only in my case - started to break even!
Posted by: Tony Shapps | 03/19/2010 at 11:31 PM