Not on schedule; but on – we are two thirds of the way through the long-awaited Finals showdowns.
First up on Tuesday 5th May – John Creek v Gary Mitchell in the Plate (the Losers final, if you like). John had been giving Gary a hard time in their recent encounters and neither are getting any younger. Gary, though, is rapidly recovering his fitness and match sharpness. Expecting a slow start from Gary, John raced to 7-3 up in the first, before Gary clawed it back to 8-7 in his favour. A second effort from John gave him game ball at 9-8, before his touch let him down and he missed a sitter. Gary needed no second asking and nicked it 10-9. A similar pattern followed in the second game, although this time it was Gary who took the lead – getting to 7-4 before John fought back to 7-all. Again, the winning post was just out of reach for John, with a determined Gary pushing over if 9-7. That was as far as John could go and a tame 3rd saw Gary take it 9-4 and crowned Plate Champion. The permanent trophy will be returned by last year’s winner Mark Fleming shortly (he was unable to defend this year, due to his success in the main Open competition).
David Falconer presents the winner's goblet
The second match saw Stefan 'Sherlock' Reichenbach take on Pete Brightwell in the Open Handicap. Stefan had been given a generous handicap based on his absence from the scene at the start of the season and lack of early match fitness. So he started 10 points ahead of Pete in a first-to-25 encounter. Pete did the right thing at the beginning, winning the first 7 rallies to eat into Stafan's lead and quickly got to 13-all and 22-16 ahead before Stefan got into his stride. Pete took the 1st game 25-22 and it appeared that the handicapper's fears of a mismatch were unfounded. He continued his early run in the second, getting back to 7-12 before Stefan managed to string some points together.
Stefan can hit the ball hard and accurately once he has his eye in, and doing just enough to keep ahead of Pete, he pushed on to the target of 25 with Pete only managing to get up to 17. The third was evening up - Stefan managed to keep the handicap intact until 18-8; then Pete pulled back the gap to 6 points then 3 points at 21-24. But 4 game balls were too much and Stefan converted the first to go 2-1 up. Stefan raced to 16-3 in the fourth game. Pete then had a run of 10 points to level it up 16-all. As so often happens in handicaps, though, the effort of catching up takes more out of the pursuer than the pursued. Stefan got a second wind and pulled ahead again to 20-17 and then eased to a 25-22 (3-1) win. He will certainly have his wings clipped for the next Summer handicap up shortly.
Stefan (mug) and Pete (goblet) show off their glassware.
Phase 2 of the 2015 finals last night (Tuesday 12th May) saw Gary and John split their efforts between finals but with similar results.
Gary took on Jarrod in the Veterans Handicap - Gary this time on the end of a 12 point deficit (first to 27). The handicapper was again worried, having fixed the odds before Jarrod embarked on his training course with Jason Barry (w.i.p.). Jarrod started the crisper (or maybe luckier), extending his lead to 18-5 before Gary got into gear. In two bursts, Gary had hauled it back to 18-20 (clearly the coach hasn't covered serving and straight drives yet, Jarrod). Jarrod pulled away to 26-22, however, and it took a typical Gary run of tight shots and focus to save the 5 game points and sneak the next to go 1-0 up (27-26). A sigh of relief from the handicapper, which was slightly undone by the efficient way Gary repeated the trick in the next two games. He took the 2nd 27-18 with little resistance, before a blip in the 3rd allowed Jarrod to force a 23-13 lead. It looked like going further but Gary came back from being 'done' to eat up all the lead and more. In the end a comfortable 27-25 (3-0) win, with Jarrod learning a few lessons about avoiding cross-court shots and reading his opponent's game.
Jarrod still smiling
The spoils of Vets Handicap 2015
John Creek v Chris Morgan next - for the Seniors (Over 55) final. Over 55 this year because David Falconer is too good for it - having held all 3 major titles last year. David will have to wait at least another 3 years before being eligible for the new age. John was hopeful of taking home some more glassware, having been thwarted for around 7 years since his last club success. Chris was nursing several injuries and excuses for unfitness - and smarting from being relegated to League Division 2 recently. Chris was far the more controlled and aggressive for the first two games and kept his nose in front for both of them in spite of John's strenuous efforts. 9-5, 9-5 (2-0) and tto use that well-worn cliché - a mountain to climb for John. A slight foot off the pedal in the 3rd and John from 5-all John strung four winners together to pull the lead back to 1-2. With Chris appearing to tire and looking older by the minute (from where I stood anyway), John had high hopes of at least forcing a decider. A determined Chris would have none of it and pressed again to a comfortable 9-6 (3-1) win. As the marker said afterwards - John, you kept hitting the ball back to him [that would explain it then].
A lack of entries (no old players left) and meagre funds meant no Runner Up trophy, so Chris takes all the booty.
Just the Veterans and Open finals to go. David Falconer to contest them both as defending champion. Coming to a court near you sometime soon.