Match Report
James, John and Cris were facing a Pangbourne team relegated from Division 2. Leroy, John Simmons and newcomer Aleksey were our opponents.
James faced Leroy in the opener and James won in 3 games. Leroy in each game took an early lead but was clawed back by James in each game. A great start for Sonning.
Next up was John against Aleksey who was a newcomer to me. John started well although showing some nerves won the first game 12-10. Aleksey reversed this scoreline to level the set. However, John won the third and fourth games to record a notable victory.
Cris faced left handed John in set 3 and was never realistically in the set, losing 11-7 11-2 and 11-6.
Set 4 saw Johns and Leroy playing. Leroy took the game to John and won in 3 games.
So 2-2 in sets.
Probably the main event of the night was the set of James taking on John Simmons. John took the first game but James struck back to take the next two to give Sonning hope. However, John showed his vast experience in keeping in the point. Both players displayed some great defensive work. John won in 5 games much to our disappointment.
Cris then faced Aleksey and in this set , Aleksey found his length and rhythm. Aleksey took the first two games before Cris struck back to win the third. Feeling confident in game four proved to be a false dawn as Aleksey just sneaked home in game four 13-11.
The doubles pairs were James and Cris and Johns and Leroy. A very closely fought match which saw the Sonning pair lose their first doubles in just over a season. 14-16, 11-13 and 7-11. This performance gives me confidence for future matches.
Sets 8,9,10. John Churchouse played John and saw the set over very quickly in three games. John Simmons again showing good control. Cris faced Leroy and again was close to taking Leroy to 5 games. Thus, it was left to James to secure a third point by beating Aleksey. Some fine attacking and defensive work by both in what was a tight set. From recollection Aleksey led in all four games but James fought back in three to win in four games.
A creditable result for Sonning but I was aware that Clive their number one player was not playing!
by Cris Reynolds
James faced Leroy in the opener and James won in 3 games. Leroy in each game took an early lead but was clawed back by James in each game. A great start for Sonning.
Next up was John against Aleksey who was a newcomer to me. John started well although showing some nerves won the first game 12-10. Aleksey reversed this scoreline to level the set. However, John won the third and fourth games to record a notable victory.
Cris faced left handed John in set 3 and was never realistically in the set, losing 11-7 11-2 and 11-6.
Set 4 saw Johns and Leroy playing. Leroy took the game to John and won in 3 games.
So 2-2 in sets.
Probably the main event of the night was the set of James taking on John Simmons. John took the first game but James struck back to take the next two to give Sonning hope. However, John showed his vast experience in keeping in the point. Both players displayed some great defensive work. John won in 5 games much to our disappointment.
Cris then faced Aleksey and in this set , Aleksey found his length and rhythm. Aleksey took the first two games before Cris struck back to win the third. Feeling confident in game four proved to be a false dawn as Aleksey just sneaked home in game four 13-11.
The doubles pairs were James and Cris and Johns and Leroy. A very closely fought match which saw the Sonning pair lose their first doubles in just over a season. 14-16, 11-13 and 7-11. This performance gives me confidence for future matches.
Sets 8,9,10. John Churchouse played John and saw the set over very quickly in three games. John Simmons again showing good control. Cris faced Leroy and again was close to taking Leroy to 5 games. Thus, it was left to James to secure a third point by beating Aleksey. Some fine attacking and defensive work by both in what was a tight set. From recollection Aleksey led in all four games but James fought back in three to win in four games.
A creditable result for Sonning but I was aware that Clive their number one player was not playing!
by Cris Reynolds
Written by: Huzeyfe Borazan
