WWCC 'A' vs Aardvarks - 10th Feb 2010

This fixture contained some surprises right from the start. Chris Ogle a regular for WWCC 'A' and Table Tennis track record of zero injuries through table tennis finally succumbed to his first with a leg muscle strain acquired during a Chalfont league match the night before, this leading to Roger getting his chance to take up the cudgels and play the 3 singles for the 1st time. Howard Davies turned out for the injured Chris, himself still nursing a knee injury although less of an impact for Howard as he rarely moves at the table. Aardvarks, themselves turned out a different lineup to normal with Geof Bax playing instead of the absent Anthony Budden and a ringer Stuart Seaholme playing up as a reserve for Larry Gregory, and who is playing the three singles for Aardvarks. 

Match started at 7.40, Howard still struggling with fitness is first out of the traps against Max, and although playing well and picking up a leg went down 3-1. Roger on second confortable overcame Geoff 3-0, Chris making an entrance during this game to boost the spirits of the Home team.

Alan next on played superbly to bring about only Stuart's second defeat of the season with a straight sets victory 3-0. Roger then beat Max 3-0 in a fast and furious game, although max at 10-8 up in the second leg gifted Roger a 'get-out-of-jail-card'. Max never recovered from the disappointment of the second leg and the third went Rogers way as well. 

Howard lost to Stuart 3-0 in a rather one sided affair and Alan did the same in the next game with Geof taking that one 3-0 also. WWCC 'A' at 4-2 now in a commanding position and next up Roger with 2 games already under his belt facing Stuart. 

Only the second time they had met since Roger come back after 23 years absence from the game and in the past they used to have some ding dong battles so it promised to be an exciting game. Not this time, Stuart runs out a 3-0 winner, with Roger looping well, but unable to push the next ball tight, Stuart using his devastating backhand smash to hit winner after winner, Match now poised at 4-3. 

The doubles was probably the best match of the night with Max and Geof winning 12-10 in the fifth set, the match finishing a draw at 4-4.

Match finished at 9.45 providing further evidence that if the match starts on time and progresses without unecessary delays or long knock ups can accommodate a shift to perhaps 9 game matches, giving every one the chance to play 3 singles!! 

I reminisced with Stuart and Geof about the good old days when the league had a lot more divisions with so many more teams and players, we must try and build the league again to increase the numbers and improve the standard, I know this is being addressed with the introduction of the Watford Academy, which will in time increase numbers and standards, but we need to improve the standard now, this will only happen by attracting players from other leagues, but at present know one would be prepared to travel that bit further for a match if they are only playing 2 singles, we must change the structure to include 3 singles for everyone

Match Report by : Roger Pyle (1st every Roger and thanks for filling my massive shoes!!)

Comments

[Dave Soloway]

"we must try and build the league again to increase the numbers and improve the standard, I know this is being addressed with the introduction of the Watford Academy, which will in time increase numbers and standards, but we need to improve the standard now"
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Can I ask why this is necessary? I mean this as a genuine question, what difference does it make if the league has 4 divisions or 8 divisions? For any players that do not play in the Fullerians, WWCC 'A' or Aadvarks teams there is a better standard available within the current league than what they currently play at. No matter how good the standard there will always be people playing in the top few teams that want more of a challenge.

I accept it would make occasions such as the annual tournament better if there were more players but other than that don't really see how a bigger league would make a discernable difference to the majority of the players.

[Chris Ogle]

Hi Dave interesting view indeed. Here are my thoughts...

At present with so few teams and to sustain 4 divisions we have 7 or 8 teams in each with us all playing each other three times. I don't know about anyone else, but 3 times playing one team and with the bonus of perhaps facing then in the divisional cup and the handicap its possible to face playing 1 team 5 times...

With increased numbers we could increase the teams in each division and get back to the more normal twice a season scenario.

Point 2. I have played table tennis since I was 8 or 9, and the game has fascinated me ever since... as I later came to find out the variety of spins, rubbers and playing styles provides a constant challenge which is very enjoyable, couple this with the fitness component I would encourage anyone to play the sport...

I don't think any of us would mind if more players played and enjoyed our sport and it would certainly provide a healthy alternative to perhaps more physical sports such as football or rugby and defintely better that being stuck in front of computer screen gaming.

Point 3. More players means stretching the division at both ends of the spectrum, more opportunities for competitive play amongst those starting out with the game, just as encouraging higher standards at the other end.

Point 4. Although I think the majority of players would welcome some fresh meat as opposition, increasing the numbers in the game is more about what we can do to help others enjoy the game of Table Tennis rather than change those that have already seen the light!!

[ian banfield]

"welcome fresh meat..." is actually a very good point. I personally now find the Watford League a bit predictable,maybe even boring. To increase the numbers in a division and revert to teams meeting twice a season I think is an essential ambition.
The boring factor for me is worsened by only playing two singles each week..
It is only the fact that i live next to Queens that may prevent me from deserting to the Barnet league and new faces and 3 singles. 50/50! (i know! good riddance:)
Is it possible to have only three divisions but each large enough to play each other twice?

[David Edwards]

The length of the match obviously depends on the length of the rallies and how the match progresses.
Contrary to West Watford's match which finished at 9.45pm, our match on Monday only just finishes at 10.30pm and then only because the doubles was 3-0.
It would have been difficult for the match to have been played any quicker, even if we had started 10 minutes earlier except if we had played on two tables and virtually impossible to have played nine sets.

[ian banfield]

Well, I certainly wasted time in that match and think that nine sets would have been possible.
Why does anybody brave enough to comment always focus on a lack of time at Queens rather than debate a possible change of format in table tennis terms?
Why do those against change not comment on the easy and obvious solution of starting 30 or 15 minutes earlier at Queens as Martin has already suggested? It would also be possible to get an extra 15 minutes at the other end as well!
We used to play 10 sets pretty much ok so surely with an extra 15 or 30 minutes that time arguement is rubbished?

[David Edwards]

I would be more than happy to start 15 minutes earlier. Unfortunately, a lot of people still would take no notice and would continue to arrive late, usually without an apology or notifying the opposition in advance.

[ian banfield]

Absolutely. I agree Dave but if sets were claimed off late arrivals as per rules, then surely this would eventually deter players from arriving late?