Chris and Roger of WWCC arrived at just after 7pm for their customary knock before the match. Last night Chris and Roger played in a top of the table clash in the Chalfont league which has left Chris's muscle strain a little tender tonight, and Roger was actually sick in the night and feeling a bit weak. So when Trafford invited us to make this a double header (to wipe out the postponed match)... we weren't feeling inclined to go with it... anyway we'd like to play the match guys (and gals)!
The match got underway at about 7:45, just as Alan Thomas wandered in... Caroline Vs Roger first match on... now last time these two met it was deuce in the deciding set, could be another cliff hanger... well the game never really lived up to expectations... Roger won the match 3-0 as Caroline didn't seem to be able to get her nose in front during the entire match.
Next up Dennis Robinson against Alan.. I thought I'd slip to the toilet, I noticed the score 2-1 when I came back in and thought they'd just started but it was already the second game... Alan had lost the first 11-2! Although fleeting chances for Alan in the match Dennis came through comfortably 3-0.
Trafford lost pretty badly against Chris early on in the season but at 5-5 in the first leg seemed to be handling the situation with Chris pretty well... although it suddenly slipped away 11-6 to Chris. All the games had a similar story, and although a thoroughly open and enjoyable match with some very entertaining rallies Chris took it 3-0.
Roger now against Dennis. Roger has lost to Dennis but before, but with a controlled game waiting for the right balls romped home 3 straight. The match position now 1-3 in WWCC favour.
Caroline also made Chris work hard into the 5th set when they last met, however a similar story to the previous game against Roger, struggling to return Chris's serve and unable to keep the short serve tight enough put Caroline under pressure from the start and she was unable to find her Rythm. Apart from a tense 3rd leg which was 13-11 to Chris the game was fairly comfortable.
After Alan's great performance last Week against Aardvarks his team mates expected another good show this week, however Alan's topsy turvy season continued with another erratic performance against Trafford. Although Alan managed to pull out the first leg from way down 7-3, he never really got into the next three legs. Trafford was far too consistent for Alan and with some good variety, attacking and defensive play deserved to win 3-1.
The match now poised at 4-2, with Dennis against Chris. The first leg went to Chris 11-9 although he was leading for the whole leg... the second was much easier with Dennis unable to control Chris's agressive forehand and backhand topspins... the third set finished comfortably for Chris although not before a slight relapse of the strained leg muscle... fortunately a few days off now to recuperate once again.
The match now at 5-2 meant that the remaining doubles game was purely for pride. The pairing of Caroline and Trafford working very well against Roger and a somewhat deflated Alan. In the end Caroline and Trafford were too consistent and kept the ball on the table too many times to bring the game home 3-1.
Final score : Fullerians 3 WWCC 'A' 5
The match finished at 9:40pm... as did the Newts vs LMR Audit on the end table... the other match being played there also finished around 9:45pm. The Fullerians team did comment that they only finish early when they play against WWCC and that this was the earliest they'd ever finished... we on the other hand rarely finish after 10pm... Trafford also said that against Aardvarks the doubles game was conceded as they had run out of time which was unfortunate for Aardvarks who were the home team on that occasion.
Good friendly match enjoyed by all !!
Match Report by : Chris Ogle
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