Match 4 - Triangle Away
Apologies for no Blog report for our last match versus Maldon - I just didn't get round to it !
For the record, Clements beat Maldon 2 by 4 ties to 1 (19 points to 6)
Now on to Yesterday's fixture away at Triangle
With a couple of our regulars (Chris and Dan) unavailable, the team was bolstered by the ever-dependable Adrian Bunting and Greg Barker who was making his Essex League debut; and as the ensuing report shows, the match vey much hinged on their performances.
First up was Clements skipper Dave versus Eamonn at 4th string. Dave had been nursing a back strain all week and was not sure how it would stand up in the heat of battle. Fortunately, the temperature never got anywhere near boiling point, and the Clements man managed to control the pace of the game to run out a fairly comfortable 3-0 winner.
Meanwhile Greg had started his Essex League career against "Grandad" Mick. This was an extremely tight match with neither player managing to dominate the play for any period of time. Greg adapted to the conditions well, slowing the pace down with lobs and drops (not his usual style); this seemed to be working well, and would probably have won the match more comfortably, but for a few mistakes at vital times. First game to Greg, second to Mick, third to Greg, and at 8-6 up in the 4th, Greg had match points; however this was never going to be easy, and again a few mistakes combined with dogged resistance from Mick led to a fifth set. Greg finally got the upper hand to close out the match. Greg has always played the game with both a smile on his face and yet determination, and it was good to hear him say he had enjoyed what had been a close affair.
The First string were on court with Paul ("no roof over my head and having a baby") Hodge against the talented Jason Potter. It was a somewhat one-sided affair, with Jason proving too strong. The only thing Paul came out with was 2 sore hamstrings - let's hope that doesn't affect his nappy-changing technique.
And so Triangle had started a comeback in the match which was furthered when Clements 3rd string Colin withdrew after a game and a half of his match against Richard Latter. Colin is in good form at present and had secured the first game, but a calf strain caused by over-training during the week led to his retirement with the second game poised evenly. If this report is starting to sound like an episode of Casualty, it is probably because we are all getting old (don't know where Hodgy fits into this !)
So at 2 matches all, the 2nd strings got under way knowing the match was in their hands. Now I need to go back an hour and a half or so - it turned out that Adrian had been dropped off by his dear wife at Chelmsford Squash Club, thinking that was where the match was. Unable to raise anyone on their mobiles (yet more evidence that I never take mine anywhere), he spoke to Dave's better half Stacy who informed him the match was at Triangle. Adrian turned this negative into a positive and decided he could re-enforce his day's firearms training with a bit of Commando-style training. Think theme music to "Cadbury's Milk Tray", and put that to our man crossing barbwire fences, allottments, spiked railings, "this council estate wasn't here last time I tried this when I was 16" - "And all because the man loves Essex League !"
Most people would then be ready to lay down and collapse, but Adrian (with usual lack of drop-shot) proceeded to put himself through a draining 5 setter against Triangle skipper Steve Impett. The rallies were long and often followed the same pattern with Steve executing tight drop-shots to Adrian's backhand and the latter forcing himself to go and retrieve them with a crosscourt lob. The marker fell asleep at one stage, both players were exhausted, and the crowd just wanted a beer.... In such a match, there is only 1 person you want on your side, and Clements had that man. And so the overall match went to Clements....
Paul Hodge lost to Jason Potter 0-9 5-9 3-9
Adrian Bunting beat Steve Impett 6-9 10-8 4-9 9-7 9-2
Colin Copeland lost to Richard Latter 9-5 retired
Dave Coates beat Eamonn Wolfe 9-3 9-2 9-7
Greg Barker beat Mick Rolfe 9-6 7-9 9-5 9-10 9-3
Clements 15 - Triangle 10
Bar chat was dominated by the WWF wrestling on the big screen - they are Big Girls Blouses !!
Thanks to Triangle for their hospitality
For the record, Clements beat Maldon 2 by 4 ties to 1 (19 points to 6)
Now on to Yesterday's fixture away at Triangle
With a couple of our regulars (Chris and Dan) unavailable, the team was bolstered by the ever-dependable Adrian Bunting and Greg Barker who was making his Essex League debut; and as the ensuing report shows, the match vey much hinged on their performances.
First up was Clements skipper Dave versus Eamonn at 4th string. Dave had been nursing a back strain all week and was not sure how it would stand up in the heat of battle. Fortunately, the temperature never got anywhere near boiling point, and the Clements man managed to control the pace of the game to run out a fairly comfortable 3-0 winner.
Meanwhile Greg had started his Essex League career against "Grandad" Mick. This was an extremely tight match with neither player managing to dominate the play for any period of time. Greg adapted to the conditions well, slowing the pace down with lobs and drops (not his usual style); this seemed to be working well, and would probably have won the match more comfortably, but for a few mistakes at vital times. First game to Greg, second to Mick, third to Greg, and at 8-6 up in the 4th, Greg had match points; however this was never going to be easy, and again a few mistakes combined with dogged resistance from Mick led to a fifth set. Greg finally got the upper hand to close out the match. Greg has always played the game with both a smile on his face and yet determination, and it was good to hear him say he had enjoyed what had been a close affair.
The First string were on court with Paul ("no roof over my head and having a baby") Hodge against the talented Jason Potter. It was a somewhat one-sided affair, with Jason proving too strong. The only thing Paul came out with was 2 sore hamstrings - let's hope that doesn't affect his nappy-changing technique.
And so Triangle had started a comeback in the match which was furthered when Clements 3rd string Colin withdrew after a game and a half of his match against Richard Latter. Colin is in good form at present and had secured the first game, but a calf strain caused by over-training during the week led to his retirement with the second game poised evenly. If this report is starting to sound like an episode of Casualty, it is probably because we are all getting old (don't know where Hodgy fits into this !)
So at 2 matches all, the 2nd strings got under way knowing the match was in their hands. Now I need to go back an hour and a half or so - it turned out that Adrian had been dropped off by his dear wife at Chelmsford Squash Club, thinking that was where the match was. Unable to raise anyone on their mobiles (yet more evidence that I never take mine anywhere), he spoke to Dave's better half Stacy who informed him the match was at Triangle. Adrian turned this negative into a positive and decided he could re-enforce his day's firearms training with a bit of Commando-style training. Think theme music to "Cadbury's Milk Tray", and put that to our man crossing barbwire fences, allottments, spiked railings, "this council estate wasn't here last time I tried this when I was 16" - "And all because the man loves Essex League !"
Most people would then be ready to lay down and collapse, but Adrian (with usual lack of drop-shot) proceeded to put himself through a draining 5 setter against Triangle skipper Steve Impett. The rallies were long and often followed the same pattern with Steve executing tight drop-shots to Adrian's backhand and the latter forcing himself to go and retrieve them with a crosscourt lob. The marker fell asleep at one stage, both players were exhausted, and the crowd just wanted a beer.... In such a match, there is only 1 person you want on your side, and Clements had that man. And so the overall match went to Clements....
Paul Hodge lost to Jason Potter 0-9 5-9 3-9
Adrian Bunting beat Steve Impett 6-9 10-8 4-9 9-7 9-2
Colin Copeland lost to Richard Latter 9-5 retired
Dave Coates beat Eamonn Wolfe 9-3 9-2 9-7
Greg Barker beat Mick Rolfe 9-6 7-9 9-5 9-10 9-3
Clements 15 - Triangle 10
Bar chat was dominated by the WWF wrestling on the big screen - they are Big Girls Blouses !!
Thanks to Triangle for their hospitality
posted by Hodgey at 5:41 PM
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