Match: Knutsford 3 Home to Crewe Vagrants 4

Date: 17th February 2011

Billed as the promotion decider and in the midst of an availability crises. - More than just Bill missing this week!
Gary Cashmore was on first making an unaccustomed appearance at number 2 and at 7.30! His opponent showed signs of promises but unfortunately Gary this week was determined to press home his superior style and finish the game off. Whilst there were some moments of concern 7 - 3 down in the third his opponent lacked the conviction to press home any points advantage and Gary battled through and 3- 0 on the board.
A debut performance in the thirds for Ian Hopkins at no.4. Playing Merv the front right drop shot king, Ian breezed through the first game 9- 1, 8 - 1 up in the second and Ian called for a stroke to win the game. The team were already on their way down from the gallery to congratulate Ian when the marker, who shall remain nameless, rejected the request. DAVE (The marker) was then offered £20.00 by Crewe for such a dodgy decision. This was to be the turning point of the match, all for £20.00, Dave how could you? Ian lost the second game 10 - 8, then the third to 6 and the 4th to 7. Oh Dave what have you done?
Not showing any remorse for his decision, although quietly inside a hunger to put right the error, Dave Smith at no.3 was focussed like a rabbit in the headlights. This was to be a good battle, Pretty squash v Power. To even the match up Dave then took it on himself to take the pretty out of his opponent and smacked him across the nose with his racquet. After a brief hospitalisation, who was going to be traumatised the most? The answer was no one. The battle continued and Dave now the pretty boy ran out the winner 3- 1.
Playing at no. 5 Tony needed to steady the ship. Tony put in a customary Thursday night solid performance and another 3-0 win (6 on the bounce). The match was in the bag and promotion was in touching distance. Is that brief enough Roger?
Making only his fourth, yes 4th appearance of the season Mike Walton was playing at no.1. Mike's attendance was even more awaited due to the nights football and judging by how late the matches were running, he began to wish he had stayed at home even longer to watch the second half. I bet at nil nil! The phrase competitive to describe this game does not do it justice, combative would be more accurate. Mike, smooth and sure against a pure running machine ultimately resulted in a rash swing by his opponent at a dead ball that almost took off Mikes head. A time out was called before the challengers were allowed to renter the arena. Who would be affected more by the ugly event? Well no one. Blows continued to be exchanged and it went to a 5th. The challenger was now on his last legs and Mike who had saved up his strength for most of the season took the 5th 9-4.
A great battling performance with Knutsford winning 18 - 6 and a 24 point gap had now opened between Knutsford in second and Crewe in third. Will this be sufficient?
We retired to the bar only to find it temporarily closed due to the late hour (11.30 pm) where we enjoyed our Midnight Snack.

Scorecard