Hanmpshire vs London A team report
Posted by Rupe on October 20 2009 20:18:52
Hampshire A 21 - 23 London A

11th October 2009

Another close one. Surrey beat Kent by 24 frames to 20, so we go into the final match a mere 40 points ahead. Could be nailbiting...

But seriously, it'd be very nice to finish the season with a 100% record (anyone know when that last happened in our region?) and while it should be an enjoyable and relaxing way to end the year we'll do our best to treat it as a warm-up for Yarmouth. The truth is, we've been coasting a bit too much in the second half of the season and we really need to up our game again if the finals are to be anything like a success.

In this one, we got off to a more-than-decent start winning 4 frames from the first 5 including first frame dishes from Danny and Sean, and an amazing escape from Mark who pulled off 2 ridiculous doubles to win his first frame. It's becoming a habit.. we're happy you're winning them Mark but perhaps you could do it the easy way now and then? Following that fine start, we lost 4 out of the next 5 and it was always a bit of a struggle from then on.

No-one excelled and no-one was rubbish. Ramesh and John Runghen each finished with only 1 win but both were truly unlucky, while if the run had been different my own 3 wins could easily have been 1 (or less). Jack Pople and first-timer Rob Chalmers both got 3 as well, and everyone else finished with 2. Rob overcame his nerves to finish really well in those 3 frames, and if he'd heard the "30 seconds" call in the one he lost then who knows, he might have been sitting on a 100% record. Tony Bailey also played well in his first outing for the team; also a bit nervy at times but he pulled off two terrific finishes and didn't get a shot in one of the frames he lost.

It was a close call between Rob & Tony and at least a couple of other B team players as to who got the call. No surprise really that they performed so well, given how strong the Bs are this year, but it was reassuring to have it confirmed.

Hampshire took out some good finishes themselves, and if they carry on progressing like this the region could get very interesting. I never had much problem with Q World in Southampton, but on balance preferred the new place, and Hampshire have to be commended on their level of organisation. With pretty decent tables (for the As anyway, can't comment on the others) including novel sun-bed style lights which left nowhere for shadows to hide, little signs above the tables in case you forgot where you were playing (with the team names on them not just table numbers), and a barrier to stop people walking through, it was hard to believe it was their first match at the venue.

So, Surrey at JFK's on November 15th. Let's finish the season in style!