For C team Himanshu, James and Cris featured, whilst Tim, Grant and Harry were playing for the B team. Rumour had it was that Brett was protecting his average!

First up was Himanshu and Grant. In the first two games Himanshu was right in it as he got to 8-8 and 9-9 before losing both  games. In game 3 Grant with some good serves and good control took the set away from Himanshu as he won the game 11-3.

Set 2 brought James and Harry to the table. Harry took the first game 12-10 as uncharacteristically James missed four backhand passes. Normal service resumed in the next three games as James found his range and won in four.

Set 3 saw Cris facing Tim. A chastening experience for Cris, as he only managed a single point in the first game. Matters did not much improve as Tim won games 2 and 3 11-5 and 11-6,

Set 4 and James was facing Grant. James won in 3 straight games but struggled with the serve of Grant, to such an extent asked him ‘what is on that serve?’

Set 5 brought Himanshu back to the table to face Tim. Again Himanshu was in each game but just couldn’t get over the line losing 11-8, 11-7 and 11-8.

Set 6 and Cris was facing Harry. There is no doubt that Cris upped his game showing plenty of grit and determination. Cris possibly played some of his best table tennis of the season to win in three games.

Next was the doubles. James and Cris faced Tim and Grant. This was an exceptional doubles match and went all the way to five games. James and Cris combined well to win the first game 11-7, Tim and Grant levelling up in the second 11-9. The third game was tight and again the latter pair won it 11-9. James and Cris stepped it up to win the fourth 11-5. In the fifth game Tim and Grant just managed to win 11-8. Although defeated, Brett was very complimentary of the combination of James and Cris. Both gave everything but just couldn’t quite make it.

Immediately after the doubles, James was up against Tim. Tim played exceptionally well to beat James in three games. James by his own admission missed shots that he would normally make, whilst Tim took every opportunity to attack. Tim had some luck with edges and nets which he probably did not need as James was caught between playing steadily and going on the attack.

Set 9 and Cris faced Grant. By this stage Cris was somewhat spent as he lost in three straight games, 11-2 11-8 and 11-6.

The final set saw Himanshu take on Harry. Harry by this time seemed to have strained a calf muscle. However, Harry having served in the Army was not going to retire. Himanshu had opportunities to win this match and took the second game to level the set. Himanshu also led the fourth game 4-0 before losing out.

All in all an enjoyable match and the C team had plenty of chances to win a fourth point but had to settle for a 3-7 defeat. All we ask the B team to do is beat those teams in the lower half of the table.

Thanks to Brett and John C for their support tonight and doing some of the scoring.

By Cris Reynolds

Written by: Huzeyfe Borazan