Shrewsbury 6-Coventry 4
Shrewsbury claimed top spot in Division two of the Midland league with a fine
victory against a determined Coventry side at the Unison club on
sunday.Matt Croft gave the town side a lead with an 11-8,11-8,6-11,11-5 win
against the visitors captain Paul Calloway but Richard Jardim levelled
immediately by beating Mike Dudley in a tight five game 9-11,11-7,1-11,11-3,11-7
,pressure was on Shrewsbury`s captain Terry Ridgway as he trailed 2-0 but
called on all of his experience to recover and take the next three
11-5,11-8,11-7 to put the home side in the lead.
Coventry replied at every opportunity and Calloway made the score 2-2 with an
inspired five game victory against Mike Dudley who then teamed up with Matt
Croft to win the doubles in yet another battle 9-11,11-9,4-11,11-8,11-8 , with
the attacking partnership continuing their unbeaten form this season.
Coventry were in no mood for an early defeat and hit back again as William
Paynes out blocked Crofts spinny drives and hit past the towns over 40`s
champion to win 11-8,11-8,9-11,11-9 ,Terry Ridgway restored the lead with a
tight defensive display against the attacking forehand drives of Richard Jardim
to win 11-6,11,-6,9-11,11-8 and Dudley returned to his best assertive form to
beat the Coventry no2 11-9,11-9,7-11,11-8. Ridgway had the chance to wrap the
win up in the penultimate game but yet again the determined visitors captain
Calloway took the score to 5-4 by winning 11-7,6-11,4-11,11-9,11-9 ..Matt Croft
stayed cool under pressure to beat Jardim in the final match
11-7,9-11,11-9.11-9 and put the Shrewsbury side in pole position for next
months away fixture at Hinckley..
Midland League Division 2
P W D L F A Pts
Shrewsbury 2 2 0 0 14-6 7
Nuneaton 2 1 0 1 8-12 3
Leamington 2 1 0 1 6-4 3
Coventry 2 0 0 1 8-12 2
Hinckley 1 0 0 1 4-6 1
Nottingham 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
