CLASSY PRESBURY JUST TOO STRONG FOR BATTLING THIRDS WITH FIRST STRING MARSHALL JUST MISSING OUT ON VICTORY

Up against arguably the strongest Prestbury 2^nd team available, weakened thirds battled hard but were always looking second best with on formMarshall, so close to claiming the honours at first seed and salvaging two important points.

First on at 5 seed, Gary Cashmore v Mark Beale, on nights, but willing to turn out and give it his all. Cashmore started well with both players testing each other from the start with one then the other dominating the T. Some long rallies followed, but Cashmore struggled to get a length and a Beale was able to capitalise taking the first 9-5. Beale came out guns blazing in the second and Cashmore struggled, never really making his mark and went down 9-1, again struggling to find that elusive length. The third game started evenly with Cashmore determined to fight back but alas it was not to be. Shifts were certainly taking their toll and although the game started evenly enough he could not hold on going down 9-6 in the to lose the first match of the night 3-0. An uphill battle was looming for the thirds.

On at 4^th seed, Roger Snape was always going to have a difficult time against Mike Quartley, could he sneak a win? The first game was a battle of wits but Snapey seemed to find himself on the losing end of each point as Quartley, full of concentration swiftly took the first 9-0. Things were not looking good for Snapey who had to change something to have a chance of getting anything from the game. Snapey was not to be beaten easily and began to trouble Quartley, dropping and driving making the second a much more even affair. Quartley seemed to be struggling at times but held his nerve to take the second 9-7, a much better effort from Snapey who had at last begun to play. The third was a battle from start to finish every point counted with one then the other dominating. At 8 all it was all to play for but Quartley took the serve.  A last ditch effort from Snapey wasn't quite enough and Quartley took the next two points and the game 10-8. Unlucky Snapey, once he got going there was not much in it. Two-nil to Prestbury, not looking good for Knutsford.

 Robo was next on at 3 playing Stuart Melia for the first time. The knock up looked pretty even and as the game began, some tight rallies followed but Robo was a little slow and not tight enough on the drop, and lost the first 9-3. The second was far more even with both players tightening up and stretching each other with drops and drive. A series of tight boasts from Robo gave him the lead but Melia stood firm clawing back to 8 all with all to play for. After a long rally, Melia took the serve, giving him the momentum and two successive points gave him the second game 10-8. Close but not close enough. The third was another even battle and again both players had their chances but Melia just had the edge and moved ahead, taking the game 9-6 and match 3-0. Match lost and no points in the bag

Smithy at two was always going at have a tough time against the skills of Michael Brauckmann, who normally plays at 1,but never one to shy away, always going to give it a go. Alas, Brauckmann was to prove too strong as he blasted Smithy away in the first 9-1. The second wasn't any closer as Smithy tried but was always on the wrong end of the rallies, quickly going down 9-0 as the difference in level showed. A brief recoverey from Smithy in the third saw him claim three points but Brauckmann was not going to falter and quickly took control. Smithy was always willing but Brauckmann wasn't hanging about and finished the match off taking the third 9-3.

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Greg Marshall last on at first seed, up against the highly fancied Keith Tolley was the last hope for the thirds, needing salvage a few points to avoid a complete whitewash.Marshallstarted the game with venim and pace quickly getting into a stride serving dropping, volleying and covering ground as well as ever.

Tolley was able to match at times, but seemed to be getting frustrated asMarshallhad the upper edge. The game towed and frowed and at 9-9 was anyone's butMarshallwas not to go down and fought with all he had to take the first 10-9. At last, first point of the night to Knutsford.Marshallcame out guns blazing in the second, at times blasting Tolley off court which was adding to Tolley's frustrations as he was struggling to keep up.Marshalldominated the tee and the rallies, and with Tolley on the rack piled on the pressure to take the second 9-4, another valuable point. Although having the upper handMarshallwas tiring and his long journey from Hampshire began to take its toll. On the other hand, facing a rare defeat, Tolley had much to prove and asMarshalltired, Tolley seemed to get stronger covering the court faster with more determination, pulling back the next two games , 9-3, 9-1 to even the match at 2-2. The last two games had taken their toll on Marshall who although willing just didn't have the legs and Tolley took advantage.Marshalltried hard but Tolley took control and the game went to Tolley giving him the match 3-2. Man of the match performance fromMarshallwho gave it his all.

Overall, always up against it a Knutsford thirds tried hard but a weakened team and the quality of Prestbury proved just too much.Marshallsalvaged two massive points that could be very useful as the end of the season gets near. Onwards and upwards from here on in.