Lions Updates (Holmer Green & Chesham Bois Results)Match Report: Dirty
Lions Back on Top
Lions v Holmer Green (16/11)
What a difference 7 days can make....
After a strong result beating Holmer Green 4-1 (17-5) at home (9/11), the following week (16/11) we played HG away.
Unfortunately injuries are impacting on our ability to play a regular team (previously a key strength) so yet again we were calling on our 2nd team compardres to support us.
Due to the 15 year age gap between HG's Young Bucks and our ageing cavaliers they 'accidentally-on-purpose' turned the heating up to max and left it on all day so seriously impacting on the ability of our stroke-makers to play any winners and playing into the hands of the oppo's retrieving ability
Paul was not available so Mark stepped into the breach at 1 and playing his nemesis Alex Hartley found him too strong in each department and unable to gain any advantage. 0-3.
CK was injured so Matt played at 2 vs Tor. Matt is difficult to fathom out as he looks so smooth but often lacks the tenacity to dig out results. Well tonight was different and he played superbly running Tor around, and pushing all the (many) balls that came back into every corner and then making the winning shot. A great game which Matt deservedly won 3-2
At 3 Nic played James Hartley who he beat for 2 points the week before. James had gone walkabout then but aided by the sauna-like conditions the match was played in, he was back to his usual standard and in a close game Nic could not find enough to make the difference 0-3
Thanks at 4 and 5 to Neil and Oliver for stepping to help us out.
Neil at 4 had a tough match against Ozzie Must-go-on-a-diet who is a class player yet Neil got stuck in and battled well to go 2-0 up. Ozzie realising he had a game on his hands knuckled down and took charge to win 3-2 but good points from Neil
At 5 Oliver, having missed his Bears match whilst on England duty on Tues at Wembley stepped in at the last minute but was always struggling on the back foot against a lively Ben Sheldon who was too quick for Oliver's shots to make an impact.
Final scores on the doors 8-15
Lions: Roaring or Yawning?
23/11 Lions v Chesham Bois 1
Report: Dirty
After a 1-4 loss earlier in the season, with a full strength Lions team out we were hoping for a victory - albeit on paper most of the games were predicted to be closely fought.
Paul at 1 got us rolling in the right direction playing Phil Taylor. Phil has transferred over from Holmer Green to play at No1. Against most teams he is able to compete but despite youth and some lovely shots on his side, Paul was always in control picking up everything with interest and making Phil work for every point. Cool, calm and collected 3-0
At 2 Mark played Tim King who is like Tigger on acid. Mark's best shots (you know that annoying really low sliced forehand drop he hits with no back swing) were no problem for Tim and every rally was long and punishing for both. After 30 mins and 1-1 , the 3rd was going to be decisive and at 5-5 a few simple errors put Mark behind 1-2. Unfortunately the 4th followed a similar path. 1-3
CK was outgunned at 3 by the ever improving fast hitting Dan Colquhoun. Despite a tight 1st CK could not get over the gain line. 0-3
At 4 Nic played Paul Bolden, both good shot makers, both on the wrong side of 40 and against any rallies over 5 shots. Nic initially took charge 2-0. Paul battled back extending the rallies and pushing Nic to the back. At 8-6 up in 4th Paul served and unexpectedly his racket disintegrated on impact with the ball. Nic hit the winner and went to serve. Paul asking for a let was refused and 4 shots later Nic won 10-8. 3-1. Weird.
At 5 I played the rangey Sam Pothecary. All legs and enthusiasm but not hugely skilled. Foolishly I was playing with a tight hamstring and after a tentative 1st at 7-1 up in the 2nd it went. Retreating to the WKP style 'lob-serve-1-shot-volley-winner-or-die-approach', I managed to win 2nd, lost 3rd as rooted to the spot after each shot, but fought back as the ball got colder to game point in 4th only to blow out 9-10. 1-3.
So a 2-3 loss, 8-14. Mid table mediocrity.
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