Hot Off the Press - unfortunately Tring have had to pull out the league with a lack of available players. The good news is that wipes the slate clean in our loss column and as we stand we are P1 W1. It also supports the Beaconsfield 'strength in depth' squad policy and the importance of playing a consistent team across the season which will pay dividends in March.

Lions v Booker
The sparse balcony were spoilt by a superb 85min contest between Bucks no2 and 3 Tom Power and Paul Boyle. Even Lino found his way off his bar stool to gasp at the quality of shot and retrieving. At 0-6 in 1st Paul looked out of sorts but that Kiwi spirit took hold and he pulled back to 6-6 forcing Tom out of position and playing the short winner. Tom pushed to 8-6 and with the clock at 30mins we knew this game was crucial. Paul found a third wind and won 10-8 after 40mins. Phew.
Meanwhile Nic was in full control of the flamboyant but fragile Andy Walters winning for a handful of points.
Mark then took on the unshaven hill-billy lookalike, double back hander, Harry Carr. MT played well but was out paced and out hit in 3. As they say a good young-un will always beat a good old-un. (Btw did you know old ginger-p***s is now 50). Too sprightly by half for a man of his senior years.
Paul and Tom's battle was continuing at the same high pace and the match see-sawed to 7-5 to Paul in 5th. Unfortunately this was as far as he could go, going down 7-9 in one of the best matches l've seen at the club.
CK took on Adam Edge, a dangerous quality player 20 years younger than our Zen-master. CK controlled the match on a warm court with his cuts, flicks, lobs, drops and volleys moving Adam from corner to corner. A close match ensued of contrasting styles but CK had enough in reserve to close out 5th 9-2.
At no5 l managed to see off Chris Popham 3-0 who was marginally less mobile and committed than l.
So a good win 3-2, 15-8
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Lions v Aylesbury
Paul got suckered into picking CK up from his new house somewhere near Bracknell and detoured around most of the M40. Not ideal prep for a match v Tom Phipps, Bucks no1. Whereas Tom Power and Paul play a similar style, Phipps explosive power and shot making needs controlling, so a game of contrasting styles entertained the crowd. Paul floating about whilst trying to create an opening and Tom trying to smack it in the nick at every opportunity. Not the classic match of the week before. Too many mistakes and some clumsy points (its all relative though!) and a slightly heavier than expected Tom prevailed 3-1.

At 2 Tredders played the feisty southern outpost of the tartan army Ian McGowan. Mark should have no problem we  thought but no such luck. Ian picked up all MTs short winners (something he's nor used to at Bec) and gradually frustrated and dictated play to pull off a fine 3-1 win.

Thankfully the lower order was more proficient. CK taking apart the huffing and puffing Sam the Gamekeeper in 3 by keeping the ball icy cold and super tight.

Nic chopped up Craig Bartlett for 5 points and l comfortably beat Chris 3-0.
So what started off as a disaster turned into a 15-6 win. Paul and Ck left with doggy bags to ensure they were back in time for this weeks match v Chesham Bois 2.
Team: Mark, CK, Matt Burnett, Nic and Chris.

Dan Fernandez
07968 781598