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SURREY B 26-18 LONDON B


So the season kicked off with our first match away to Surrey and having beaten them last season we was hopeful of repeating last years result.


Set 1: Surrey B 3-8 London B

So with the team all set and raring to go after our team talk, we got off to a great start taking the first 3 frames with Chris Hobbis, George Hammond & Adam Everitt setting the tone for the majority of the first set with some great finishes. Surrey pulled a frame back only for Rob Cork and Micky Clayton to notch up 2 more wins and push us further ahead. The last 4 frames saw much of the same as we won 3 of those 4 with Willliam Gayler, Pistol Pete Thomas & Tony "Machine Gun" (that's what it says on his top) Mcdowell all winning. Great start from the boys and some great support from all throughout.

Set 2: Surrey B 7-4 London B

So after a great first set, we was looking to kick on but it was a bit of a mixed set with some crucial frames going the way of our Surrey opponents. Having won 4 of the first 7 frames, things were looking good only for us then to lose the final 4 frames.

Mid session break Surrey B 10-12 London B

Set 3: Surrey 8-3 London B

Well what can I say other than this is where it all went downhill, not for the want of trying as the boys gave it there best but for some bad luck and some great finishes from the Surrey boys.
Surrey won the first 2 frames of the set on top of the last for of the last set which made it six on the bounce. George Hammond then gave us some hope winning the 3rd frame and there we had hoped we could rattle of a few wins and get ourselves back in the lead, that wasn't to happen as Surrey won the next 2 followed by a win from Rob Cork then they notched another 2 followed by an win from William Gayler. Then they took the final 2 frames leaving us 18-15 behind going into the last set.

Set 4: Surrey B 8-3 London B

Ok so into the final set we go and being only 3 frames behind, we still had every chance of turning things around as we did last season in the final set.
In the end it just wasn't to be and Surrey dominated much of the set as far as wins go storming into a 22-15 lead having won the first 4 frames. Not letting our heads drop, we continued to fight and Tony Mcdowell pulled one back only for Chris Hobbis to be unlucky in the next and Surrey getting to the magic number of 23 to secure the win.
The team showed a great togetherness at this point having known we lost the match but continue to push for as many frames as possible and showing continued support to one and other. Micky Clayton won the next with a tidy finish, we then lost the next 3 before I won the final frame of the day to then leave us to the the customary hands shakes with our opponents and the get together to reflect on what was a very mixed first match of the season.

Reflection:

Considering this is a relatively new squad and our first match of the season, we have both positives and negatives to take from this match, having showed great team spirit and togetherness and having played some fantastic frames. Maybe we got a bit complacent after the great start and took our foot off the pedal slightly, which allowed Surrey to take a foothold of the match.
I believe we have a great chance with the squad we have to improve on this result and grow further as a team and push for a place at Yarmouth.
Onwards and upwards.

Player Stats:

Chris Hobbis 2/4
George Hammond 3/4
Adam Everitt 1/4
Bruno Silva 0/4
Rob Cork 3/4
Michael Clayton 2/4
Barry Barham 0/2
William Gayler 3/4
Dan Heinink 1/4
Pete Thomas 1/4
Tony Mcdowell 2/4
Res:
Richard Chapman 0/2

Report by Will Gayler