Prestbury is the place to be, if the scrum in the car park was anything to go by! Busy inside, too, with three matches going on. The 4ths were lucky to get two courts at the start - early finish perhaps? Some hopes! 

Graham Thomson was first out of the blocks at 5, against the rangy Dutchman Bauke. 'A messy game', said Graham to Geoff (who was by now busy on the other court battling with 'Sir' Barry). Close in the first, Graham just lost it 10-8; the second went to Bauke easily. But Graham fought back in the third 9-2, only to lose out in the fourth for a 3-1 defeat. Meanwhile Geoff was struggling to make any impression on Barry, or even get him to blow a bit. Geoff managed to win one game before being 'expelled' 3-1 by ex-schoolmaster Barry.

At 3 Gwyn Pickering, fresh from holiday, was up against Gareth 'nonstop' Evans, and this turned out to be a marathon! Gareth went two up by chasing everything, and graciously accepting numerous 'tins' from Gwyn. Gradually Gwyn calibrated his drives and drops, and in a nail-biting third game outlasted Gareth, who was getting visibly and audibly frustrated, to win it narrowly 10-8. Gwyn capitalised on Gareth's mood to level the game at 2-2, and the fifth was agonisingly close, Gwyn just losing it 9-7 - unlucky!

Tony at 2 faced another runner Ang, and we enjoyed the second marathon of the evening.  Tony displayed his array of drives, drops and boasts, and Ang ran and ran and took the first 9-3. Tony tightened his serve in the second and took it easily 9-2: that's more like it! The third was tight but Tony held his nerve to pinch it 10-8 for a 2-1 lead. The final games were closely contested but Ang proved the stronger and Tony was unlucky to lose 3-2.

Roger Snape at 1 was by now tackling Kevin on the other court. This was another closely contested match, with Kevin doing the running as Roger dictated proceedings. Roger took the first 9-5 but the second was tight, Roger taking it 10-8 before finishing off neatly 9-2 for our solitary win.

9 points from a 4-1 defeat - not bad! Nice chilli albeit rather late! No match next week so plenty of time for coaching and fitness training...

For the Match Score Click Here