Match Report
The last match of the 2022/23 season at the Village Hall for Taverners but no change in fortunes!
Falcons with their "heavyweight" players Mike and Jim on show were comprehensive winners by 8 sets to 2. As is quite usual in table tennis, the evening has its "ups and down" but the fact that Falcons won 4 of the 5 sets that went to 5 games was probably the deciding factor why Taverners could not draw the match or even record our first win!
Jim was a deserved "Player of the Match" achieving another maximum and playing with skill and consistency; it was a dominant performance. Mike closely followed Jim with a maximum but Mike's performance typified his style of play with plenty of backhand rockets from both rubbers and from anywhere on the table but enough errors to keep the opponent interested.
Both Colin and myself took Mike to 5 games but both fell at the last hurdle with perhaps "fortune favouring the brave" on the important points. I think Mike would agree that he had his fair share of nets last night but this can happen when playing the Mike way!
Captain Louis was in good form too with a win against Colin, losing narrowly to Martin in 5 and to myself in 4 with the third game decided 18-16. Now restored to full? fitness and with his present bat/rubbers doing the business, Louis is back!
Taverners have clearly struggled this season with even Martin is now beginning to succumb to the malaise but we have maintained our fighting spirit throughout and personally I have enjoyed the second half more and being competitive helps a lot. I also played my first doubles set of the season which was quite strange. Colin and I lost in 5 in an enjoyable set against Jim and Louis.
It is always good to play the Falcons with excellent table tennis and cheerful banter. We will miss them next season.
One more fixture to play v the Owls next Tuesday at Teign School and then the Taverners will regroup in time for 2023/24 and Division 3. Until October, there is the End of Season Tournament followed by the Parkhouse Pairs so plenty of table tennis to enjoy and if nothing else maintain our fitness levels!!
Have a good Summer everyone!
Geoff
Written by: Geoff Read
