Version 2 - from Dave W's viewpoint...
A cold and snowy Thursday evening saw Combined 2 travel up to
Stocksbridge 1 looking to gain some level of revenge for an 8-1 defeat
earlier in the season. With the weather causing a delay in the arrival
of some team members on both sides there was a delay in the start of the
match. A slight change to the order of the side saw Dave H &
Deepak take the court and struggle to quite get ahead of their opponents
in 2 tight ends. On the other court Lesley & Cat took the first
game, which followed by a delay as one of the home side had an allergic
reaction to some spray and Dave H graciously agreed to allow a
substitute. This proved an a turning point as the replacement helped
her partner overturn the first end to win in 3.
Dave H & Dave W then paired up for the first time in match conditions and struggled to get going against a pair who got most shots back whilst also having strong kill shots themselves. Lesley & Jane also struggled in their game meaning that going into the mixed we trailed 4-0. This didn't improve much as the night drifted on, the court conditions not helped by the air conditioning insisting on blowing snow into the hall during games. Cat & Deepak couldn't take either of their mixed against 2 strong pairs, neither could Dave W & Jane (although they struggled more against the 3rd pair before taking the 2nd pair close). With Dave H & Lesley also not being able to take their game we unfortunately succumbed to a 9-0 defeat. With plenty of games left to go it is still all to play for in terms of securing our place in the division for next season.
Dave H & Dave W then paired up for the first time in match conditions and struggled to get going against a pair who got most shots back whilst also having strong kill shots themselves. Lesley & Jane also struggled in their game meaning that going into the mixed we trailed 4-0. This didn't improve much as the night drifted on, the court conditions not helped by the air conditioning insisting on blowing snow into the hall during games. Cat & Deepak couldn't take either of their mixed against 2 strong pairs, neither could Dave W & Jane (although they struggled more against the 3rd pair before taking the 2nd pair close). With Dave H & Lesley also not being able to take their game we unfortunately succumbed to a 9-0 defeat. With plenty of games left to go it is still all to play for in terms of securing our place in the division for next season.