POST OFFICE V WATLING 'A' - 8TH MARCH 2010

With West Watford making a late run for the championship, every point counts, so Post Office knew they would need at least three or four points from this match to stay ahead.

1. Les Leach played Graham Spooner and the first two games were very close with Les winning both 11-9. The third game was not so close with Les securing a 3-0 win. (1-0)
2. Abdul Rahim faced the all out attack of Wayne Meisel but managed to contain him winning 3-0. Again the first two games were close but the third was more convincing. (2-0)
3. David Edwards played Graham Roland in what is always a close games as both players play a similar style. David led 1-0 and 2-1 before Graham took the match to the deciding game. David trailed 3-5 at the change of ends but at 9-9 it was Graham to serve. Two good serves to different parts of the table secured the win for Graham. (2-1)
4. Abdul versus Graham was a close match but after losing the first game, Abdul came through in four games. (3-1)
5. Les played Graham next and was forced into a more attacking role than normal but won in straight games. (4-1).
6. David played Wayne and managed to contain Wayne’s heavy loops with some consistent blocking. David served well and Wayne became frustrated with looping the ball off the end of the table. David kept his concentration and managed to secure a fine 3-0 win. (5-1)
7. Abdul played Graham next and won the first two games fairly easily but lost his concentration and Graham played well to take the next two games to force a decider. Abdul had a good start and maintained his form to win 11-6. (6-1)
8. Les and David played Graham and Wayne and there was still an extra point available for both teams. Also, there was additional pressure as Les and David wanted to maintain their 100% doubles average and also time was running out to meet the 10.30pm deadline. After a disastrous first two games and a stern talk from captain Abdul, David and Les played better and managed to win the next two games. David and Les had a great start and changed ends at 5-0 but Wayne and Graham fought back valiantly but could not prevent David and Les winning 11-7. (7-1).

This was a tough match for Post Office but the match was much closer than the score of 7-1 would suggest.

Again, the match was only just completed in time. In fact it finished at 10.35pm. This was not because of time wasting but because of the length of the rallies and the number of games played.

This was another good example of keeping the format as it is perhaps. Not everyone wants to or is able to be still playing at 11.00pm or later.

Match Report by : David Edwards.

Comments

[ian ban]

time restraints are not a good reason for keeping the present format. if a few minutes extra is needed ( which im not convinced of ) then it is easy to start 15 minutes earlier and equally easy to have an extra 15 minutes at the finish, which surely wont ruin anybodys beauty sleep?
also to claim sets off a late team arrival would ensure players arrive on time im sure!

im in a team where none of us like or want the doubles and i personally dont remember having 3 singles on more than one occasion this season. it looks like the present format will remain so to those who would like a change I say remember the barnet league is only down the road a bit!