Match Report
Taverners finished their home campaign at the Village Hall with an excellent win against Brixham Gulls by 6 sets to 3.
It may have been too late to avoid bottom stop in Division 2 but a fourth win of the season is something for us to get mildly excited about!!
First of all, I must congratulate the Gulls for being great opponents last night. It was an enjoyable match all round with lots of chat/banter and sportsmanship and with a number of closely contested sets of a high standard. All that was missing was refreshments as in previous seasons!
I think it also is fairly unusual for matches to follow the same pattern. In our first encounter in December, Taverners won 6-3 with Martin achieving a maximum, Colin 2 sets and myself 1. Substitute Martin Sharp for Robert Johnston this time round and again Martin won his 3, C 2 sets and myself 1. All in all though a good performance from the Taverners.
As for more of the details, Martin played a "blinder" winning 3 and gaining his fourth Player of the Match award of the season.
Martin has been in excellent form recently and I think this was probably his best performance yet and his set against Martin S was one of highlights of the evening. Although Martin S played very well throughout the match winning 2, Martin was able to limit his attacking ambitions that few players can do by utilising his black pimpled rubber to win the important points and then attack himself effectively - in particular the last three points of the set!! - to win in 4. Martin went on to defeat the very impressive Steve T in straight games.
I should also mention another fine set between Colin and Steve T. Steve would agree(I hope?) that he "cuts" an eccentric figure at times but he is fine player demonstrated by his recent form. Having hammered me this time allowing me only 9 points, the set with Colin produced some great rallies combined with fine attacking play from both players and plenty of retrieving of course!!
Colin won in 5 games.
Steve M knows that he has had a disappointing season results wise (a bit like me really!) but we both continue to enjoy the sport. I must say Steve M plays table tennis in the correct way, a sporting approach and respectful to opponents. A fine example to the South Devon and Torbay TT League.
Finally, as I conclude my batch of home reports for this shortened season, may I, on behalf of the Taverners team, thank the Executive Committee for arranging this league programme which has been both enjoyable and really competitive, especially in Division 2. A special thank you to Tony H who has inevitably shouldered a lot of the work and for his efficiency and dedication.
One more match v the Owls on Friday and I am looking forward to another tough contest!
Geoff
Written by: Geoff Read
