Match Report
Taverners always look forward to the visit of Brixham Trawlers to the Village Hall as they are one of the most enjoyable teams to play against on the table tennis "circuit" and last night proved no exception!
After losing 8-2 earlier in the season and Trawlers 26 points ahead in the current Division 2 table, a hard fought 5-5 draw (our 4th this season) was pleasing and a result Taverners would have gladly accepted before the start of the match.
Player of the match (not for the first time this season) was Ian Saxby who played extremely well combining his fierce forehand and backhand attack with his "exaggerated" loop to excellent effect to win all 3. Ian had his usual long set with Martin when winning in 5 and therefore reversing the result in November so highlighting again the number of other close encounters between the two in recent years!
It was also the "standout" set of the evening with both playing well and the result difficult to predict - one of the best quality matches I have seen this season.
Simon also had a very good evening and deserved his 2 points. At the end of the match, Simon said how much he liked the venue in particular the lighting. Thank you Simon but please try not to do quite so well next time!!
Nick, a friendly face to the Taverners and a former playing colleague, did not have things going his way but all Nick needs to do is to cast his mind back to the last time the teams met this season when he secured a maximum. We all know this is the beauty of table tennis!
As for the Taverners, Colin maintained his excellent recent form and an average of above 50% with 2 wins; his only slight setback was succumbing to a "rampant" Ian Saxby.
Martin and I supported the overall team performance with 1 win each culminating with another fine doubles set from Martin and Colin against Nick and Ian to gain the draw.
The usual competitive and enjoyable evening of table tennis between Taverners and Trawlers with sportsmanship and chat to the fore! Long may it continue!
Geoff
Written by: Geoff Read
