Match Report
Sunday May 11th vs CIVIL SERVICE II Away
A consistent team performance from the Men's 2nd team, with the pairs scoring 12, 11 and 12 - unfortunately for a 35-73 defeat against a very strong Civil Service side. It's great to have consistency - we now need to work on everyone winning about 50% more games every week!
Patrick Wahl made a very respectable debut for Bishopthorpe, returning 11 games partnering Paul Lewis as 2nd pair. Matt Sharpe partnered Cap'n John at 3rd, with Alan Yoward and mid-week hero, Kelvin, leading from the front.
Whereas this is the third complete change-around for the Men's 2nd team already this Season, the first two pairs for Civil Service have partnered each other just about every week for the past 5 years! I think that's the difference.
In fact Civil Service's third pair were their weakest - returning a 'mere' 21 games. Still it's early days for us. Maybe someday soon, we'll field the same team twice!
Sunday May 4th vs ROWNTREE PARK Home
This fixture was closer last year - 49-59. However, the story was similiar. RP's best pair scored 33 games (last year, 30).
However, last year, we WON the other 6 rubbers by a convincing 43 games to 29. This year, the games were all closer, with that age-old Men's 2nds problem that we couldn't close out a game at deuce. Not sure exactly why that is, but it resulted in very nearly every deuce game being lost.
We maybe need to reflect on how we approach play at critical moments, because it's obviously a pronounced weakness...
...and that'll be against Civil Service on their artificial grass!
Sunday April 20th vs RICCALL Home
It was supposed to be a 'warm welcome back' to Riccall who were the Men's Champions in 1990, but have been absent for a good few years now. However, a cold, drizzly April morning greeted them retracing their former glory. They were up against the walking wounded though. Riccall rookies vs Bishie crocks, then - a real prospect.
No.1 pair for Bish, were Sam Watson (wrist injury) and Alistair, who gamely played despite carrying a slight "knock" - details of which were as fuzzy as Alistair's head ;-).
Ian (Tennis elbow) and Cap'n John (drizzle-spattered specs) were at 2. 3rd pair were the equally (though NOT physically) impaired Jase Levesley and Solti... mental as a sackful of Aussies.
Nervy first round. S&A were comfortable with 9-3 against Riccall's 'first pair'. Our other two pairs each slumped to a 4-8 loss, to put us 17-19 behind.
The momentum swung our way in round 2 with all our three unbeaten. S&A got another 9-3 against Riccall's thirds (their best pairing). Solti Jnr & Jase fought out a tense draw on Court 2 - never behind, but just unable to close out the win. J&I got a much-improved 9-3 against Riccall's 'no.1 pair'. 24-12 to us for a 41-31 lead going into the final round. Not bad, but not in the bag.
Same again, from Sam and Alistair - 9-3 against Riccall's 2nd pair. The combination of Sam's deft two-handed angles and Alistair's all round game proving to be as potent a mix as Alistair's drinks the previous evening.
Cap'n John and Ian made heavy weather of Riccall's toughest pair on Court 3, submitting 4-8. Tip: It helps to play the ball AWAY from the former Davis Cup Team Captain...
That left Solti Jnr & Jase to resoundingly bring home the bacon in the final rubber on Court 1. Could they get the single game needed for a resounding victory? 'Course they could - with a resounding 10-2 victory against their resounding Riccall counterparts (the resounding 1st pair)
A doff of the cap to Riccall. They made sure this match was played in a great spirit, despite the miserable weather. Lots of good-hearted banter amongst some competitive tennis. S&A ended with 27, Cap'n J&I - 17, with Jase and Solti impressing with 20.
After our 1st game, the Men's 2nds now have as many points as we managed in the whole of last Season! Way to go. Next up - Cliffe (eeek!) |
