Good morning readers.
The team had another marvellous (or should that be awesome?) win last night and secured another 18 points to go 17 points ahead in Div 3 according to stato Jolly John Creek.
and verified eventually by admin!
For this week’s comments read last week’s report since practically all applies. Sydenham were severely weak being short of two/three players and it showed.
David, James and Niall effectively buried their opponents and it was not so much a matter of whether they would win more a case of how quickly they could contrive to do so. Sydenham tried the old trick of saying the lights didn’t work on one court but James and Chris S-B took this in their stride and demonstrated that a carrot-rich diet can overcome all eventualities. James opined that it was an applied lesson in match concentration (but whether ones thoughts would be the same with a more demanding opponent is questionable) - the conditions were clearly far from ideal.
Whatever the ambient lighting, James was moving with assured economy and demonstrated some fine racket skills. Niall put in his normal shift of long ball excellence but will surely be exposed by better opponents at the front of the court by too many poor and down front drops. That’s your training challenge Niall - focus on the drops – you’re far, far, far too good a player to be this limited at the front!
‘Socks’ (David) was ruthless again and got his game over in double quick time. Dan was a beaten man by the end of the second and effectively chucked in the towel. Given that anything can happen in a match (see next comments) i.e. injury/mental implosion etc., it is unusual to see opponents effectively concede the game before it’s over but when David is in this mood it’s kind of understandable. The routine drive to step a yard forward on practically every ball is what makes him so effective, combined with a natural tendency to drop anything that is hanging or loose.
Pete had a disappointing encounter which he clearly expected to win (very dangerous) having done so before. Tats is far too good a player to allow a sound drubbing for a game and a half to stifle his ambitions. Pete exhibited his usual highly impressive physicality and explosive movement - maybe too explosive! A shoulder pull intervened to change the whole shape of play and Tats took control. With now limited physical capability Pete engaged brain, after some guidance from coach James, and manoeuvred a 6/0 advantage in the fourth with lobs/drops and a slow ball game. ‘Wings’ could not, however, resist ‘flying’ again and returned to the hard-hitting ultra-mobile game which obviously suited Tats who gratefully cleaned up, with, one would think, a degree of surprise at the turn of events!
Well played all. The pedigree to take this team to a higher league is maturing nicely and even without Pete, shortly, one feels that the team will hold its own and relish sterner challenges to come.
Stay healthy. Cheerio. Mark Johnson.
(P.S.: I will buy you a pint if you pick up on the little bit of wordplay herein!) [Only Doombar and Harveys in the Anchor, Mark – no Pedigree – Ed]