Match Report  (courtesy of Nick Denney)

This highly anticipated ‘top of the table clash’ had it all . . . including an 11.50pm finish!

With both Flamstead 1st and Crown & Sceptre 1st both sporting identical records of P14 W11 D3 L0 at the start albeit with C&S having the superior points total, this had the makings of a title decider written all over it and we were a little apprehensive when they fielded just about as strong a team as possible with all three players in the Top 10 of the rankings table.

Angela kicked off against John and came through in 4 after losing the first set, and Biao came through two deuce sets to beat Marc 3-0.

Gary was in top form against myself and although I managed to take a leg, I was beaten fairly comfortably. Biao then overcame John in 4 sets before Gary triumphed over Angele by the same scoreline.

Then came arguably the best match of the season and certainly the best match I’ve ever been involved in. Last time I played Marc I was beaten very comfortably in three and thought it was heading the same way losing two very close legs 11-9 11-8 but somehow I managed to dig in and win the next two 11-9. I had finally managed to find a way to combat Marc’s very effective forehand loop. Some of the rallies in this match were quite simply incredible and I certainly felt like I was punching about my weight. I almost started to believe the impossible was possible holding a 7-4 lead in the 5th but Marc came back stoutly to take the win.

There then followed an equally tense match with Biao hanging in there against Gary for the most part and with Gary 10-7 up in the 5th we thought it was all over but Biao somehow managed to conjure an escape to take the final leg 15-13.

I then had a great match (as they always are) with John and managed to carry my good form from the previous match to win in 5 giving us a 5-3 lead in the match. Marc then managed to pip Angela 11-9 in the 5th to set up a grand finale in the doubles.

Myself and Biao managed to take the first leg 11-2 against Gary and John, but that was just about as good as it got with them taking the next three legs.

Whilst we would have taken a 5-5 scoreline at the start considering the opposition, we couldn’t help feeling that this was one that got away.

All in all an absolutely brilliant match befitting of a 1st Vs 2nd clash.

Is the title race still alive? Just about but it’s definitely C&S who are in the box seat.