Match:  Knutsford 2 Home to Alsager 2

Date:  12^th Jan 2011

The first match of 2012 promised to be a close one. Alsager were looking to end our unbeaten run and make up for their 16-6 loss first time around.

Greg Marshall vs Paul Lowndes at 4 was the opening match of the night, Greg settled in quicker and dominated early. Greg's serve was suspect and he hit the court heater more often than the marker could believe. Despite this Greg went 2 games up using his strong drive to best advantage. In 3 Lowndes reacted to Greg's front court boasts and began to win more points, still the game looked safe until a disturbance with a change of marker allowed Lowndes to draw the game into a tie break which he won (9-10).  In the 4^th Greg's strength and speed couldn't be matched and Lowndes challenge fell away. 3-1 to Greg.

                   Next on, Steve O'Hare vs Keith Holloway at 5.  A tough challenge for Steve against all the experience and physical might of Holloway. Steve's mentality to go for everything was spot on and he took the opening game of this match (9-5) catching Holloway off guard at the end of rallies he thought he had won.  The 2^nd game went to the big man from Alsager (6-9), playing to his strengths and hit good b/h c/c and f/h keeping the ball low and hard.  In the 3^rd game Steve didn't tire, got better!! hitting stunning volleys at the front court and mixing it up at the back; sometimes playing good lengths and sometimes playing soft drops. Holloway was off balance and couldn't get his drops tight enough. Any advantage that Holloway created was run down by Steve. Steve marched on winning (9-5, 6-9, 9-2, 9-2).

   Steve Costello Vs Andrew Fish at 1. A loser in the away leg, Captain wanted to make amends against the awkward left handed Fish.  Steve took control of the game from the start but played too many loose drops when Fish was on the front foot. The game went to Fish (8-10).  In the 2^nd the pace increased and both players hit hard lengths but Steve's b/h drop sat up which Fish enjoyed smashing away or replying with his own drop, (9-5) to Fish.  After some inspired words from DW the 3^rd game was a complete turn around, Steve served better and pinned Fish deep with his drive and thus hit the drops for winners, taking the game (9-0!!!).  In 4 both players were tiring but Steve had done more running and this was the telling factor when it game to the drop shot.  The mid court exchanges were evenly matched, both players cutting the ball hard, low, c/c.  At (9-9) Steve put another in the tin and it was all over Boooo…..…..

                   David Waring vs Chris Riley next at 3. Riley was a tall muscled opponent typical Alsager type, sporting a colourful blue party T.  Riley won the 1^st game volley dropping David right and left like a professional (4-9). In 2 David chased down Riley lengths and countered with his own trade mark drop, however one or two hit the tin and this made the difference to Riley, winning it (9-10).  In 3 David began to control the game, he moved Riley to the front and back and Riley made less volley kills, instead forced to hunt down drops and lengths, (9-7) to David.  Both players were now showing signs of fatigue and Riley's T-shirt was looking like he had had a shower in it!  Game 4 David continued to play to a high standard, he hit less tins and put the ball beyond the long reach of Riley, (9-5) to David. Riley had showed signs of a fight back in the latter stages of the 4^th and this match was the longest of the night, at 2-2 it was even money.  However it turned out to be David's match, he kept the ball away from Riley and dictated the direction of play (9-5). A great come back from 0-2 and his best win so far.  Well done! 

   Last on was Perry Russell vs Brian Spearman at 2.  Perry was favourite to win coming down from the 1^st team but it was Spearman who opened and early 1-0 lead (5-9). Both players shared a similar style using measured lengths for position and tight drop shots.  Perry won the next game (9-3).  In 3 Spearman played some boasts from the back that got him some points but Perry answered with boasts of his own.  Perry took the game (9-1) and the 4^th game was also (9-1) to Perry.  He looked more composed on the ball and found it easier to keep pressure on the rallies, he made fewer mistakes and Spearman looked more tired at the end.

   Another 4-1 win over Alsager for club records and 18-8 towards the league title race. Well done team, we are without Greg next week but have already played the Macclesfield court so shouldn't fall short of another win.      

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