Mike Wright’s third final of the season saw him paired up with Karl Pople and giving a large start to newcomers Mark Semple and Chris Reynolds.
Once Mike had explained the rules, he settled right into his usual rhythm and Karl provided steady support as the 16 point deficit (from -8, +8) was eroded and surpassed with few alarms - 15/12 to Mike and Karl.
Too easy? Maybe. The absence of points for Mark and Chris was replaced by three pairs of points to get them to 13-7 and within sight of the second game. And a few rallies later they had squeezed it 15/12.
Third game a repeat of the first. Two runs of error-free rallies saw Mike and Karl restore their lead 15/11. 2-1.
At the start of the fourth, we suddenly had an uncharacteristic flurry of errors by the flustering Karl and a contagious rash of mistakes from Mike. Fourth game gone in a flash 15-1 to Chris and Mark. 2-2.
The Marker had decided to change the players’ understanding of the doubles rules during this time, which may have thrown them off their natural game for a while. However, the fifth and deciding game was a handicapper’s dream. Tit-for-tat for the first few rallies, then a bout of carelessness allowed Mark & Chris to extend their lead to 13-0. A loss of serve by the lime green parties left Mike serving at 1-14 and facing 14 match balls.
Needless to say, a few minutes later it was all over, 14 match balls saved and one sudden death match ball won. 15-14, 3-2 to Mike and Karl. The Thompson-Creek era of doubles domination duly ended and another notch on the Wright trophy stick. Mike and Karl face off against each other on 1 June in the Veterans Open final.
The full match can be viewed here.
End of an era - a new one begins - Wright & Pople on the throne.