Match Report
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Match Result
Knowle 4-2 Light Hall
Team News
Knowle Light Hall
Dave Glaister Ben Samworth
Paul Hewitt Jothi Philip
Tony Dadd Pete Marley
Graham Marlow Lee Price
Match Report
A hard fought battle with Light Hall in the opening game of the season resulted in a winning start for Knowle.
Game 1
Dave Glaister Vs Ben Samworth
Paul Hewitt Jothi Philip
The evening didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, with the partnership of Dave and Paul not firing on all cylinders at all for the first rubber, which they eventually lost 15-7.
The second rubber was a closer fought proposition with Knowle leading the way 9-4 at one time. The deficit was overturned though by Light Hall due to some sloppy play by a certain Mr Hewitt (I had been at college all day!!), and Light Hall eventually went on to win the game 17-14, and therefore the game 2-0, in a game that Knowle should really have done much better in! (I really cannot lay any blame on Big Dave for this, it was all me!!)
Game 2
Tony Dadd Vs Pete Marley
Graham Marlow Lee Price
With the pressure truly on Knowle to get a result in the second game of the evening, the partnership of Graham and Tony got off to a blistering start, winning the opening rubber 15-11 in a very tactical, patient game.
The second rubber turned out to be another tactical battle with both teams having to show great patience in many long rallies, of exceptional quality! Unfortunately for Knowle, Light Hall managed to grab the better of some of the more important rallies, and subsequently went on to the win the rubber 15-10.
There was no let up in the third rubber either, with both teams fighting hard for the victory. Eventually though it was Knowle who were able to gain the upper hand in a rubber that went down to the wire due to some exceptional play. They eventually closed out the rubber 15-13, and the game 2-1.
Game 3
Tony Dadd Vs Ben Samworth
Graham Marlow Jothi Philip
With the 2 eldest members of the team playing back-to-back games, you would’ve forgiven them for slightly taking their feet off the pedal!! This did not happen though as Knowle raced through the first rubber 15-2 in no time whatsoever.
The second rubber was slightly more of a competitive match, but Light Hall just didn’t have the necessary craft or power to see off the “Dream Team” of Tony and Graham, who went on to win the rubber 15-5, and therefore the game 2-0.
Game 4
Dave Glaister Vs Pete Marley
Paul Hewitt Lee Price
With the pressure eased slightly due to the “Dream Teams” two victories, the “Youngsters” could go out on to court just looking to be aggressive and play their natural games. This tactic certainly seemed to be working early on in the game with some booming smashes and nice touches by Big Dave and some tight serving by Paul ensuring that the first rubber went to Knowle 15-5.
Again in the second rubber Knowle kept up the same tactics of keeping the pressure on Light Hall, and being aggressive, and this certainly seemed to be knocking the opponents off guard.
Something else that took Light Hall off guard was the power of Big Dave, who inadvertently smashed a shot that just caught the eye of one of the opposition. This resulted in a temporary break in play, after which Light Hall were unable to recover and Knowle went on to win the rubber 15-9, and the match 2-0.
Game 5
Dave Glaister Vs Pete Marley
Tony Dadd Ben Samworth
Just needing the one game to clinch victory for Knowle, you would’ve put your house on the team of Tony and Dave being able to do this!
In the first rubber it looked as though the house was certainly under threat, as although Dave and Tony were still playing well, they were up against a couple of inspired opponents who really wanted to get Light Hall back into the match. The rubber was nip and tuck all the way, but unfortunately Light Hall went on to win it 15-12.
The second rubber was also another hard fought rubber, but one or two little mistakes were creeping into the game of Knowle at this stage, and also lady luck seemed to have deserted them (I personally blame Tony for this, due to him changing T-Shirts 3 times during the match!! I mean what happened to having one lucky shirt?!). With Light Hall continuing to play well, they closed out the rubber 15-8, and the game 2-0, to heap the pressure on to the pairs playing in the final game of the night.
Game 6
Graham Marlow Vs Jothi Philip
Paul Hewitt Lee Price
With the match all to play for in the last game, Knowle came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders (Well maybe I did, but then Graham is the elder statesman of the team and had been off court for 2 matches!), and comfortably took the opening rubber 15-7.
The second rubber was a totally different game, with Light Hall stepping up a gear and producing some fabulous shots. It was nip and tuck all the way through the game, but Knowle just couldn’t take advantage when they had the serve, which eventually cost them the rubber 15-12.
It was now down to a crunch remaining rubber to decide if Knowle could clinch the victory or whether Light Hall could come back and snatch a draw at the death.
Fortunately for Knowle, Graham and Paul got themselves fired up from the start and established an early lead due to some fine play. Light Hall were always fighting to be in the rubber, but in the end this was not good enough as Knowle put in a couple of telling blows and clinched the rubber 15-4, the game 2-1, and the match 4-2.
Report by Paul Hewitt
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