POPP players were Peter. David and Derek. Old Town players were Derek, Phil and Sue

Game 1: Phil v. David: result 12-10 11-9 11-9
First two games were evenly matched but in the third Phil turned on the pressure and proved a faster mover and better at returning the ball generally. David played well and could have won this one.

Game 2: Sue v. Derek: result 7-11 11-2 13-11 12-10
An even first game with Derek just pipping Sue at the post but totally failing to get into the second game. Sue’s speed of shot down both flanks exposed Derek’s immobility and casualness in the third and the fourth games to allow Sue to victory much more easily than the score suggests.

Game 3: Derek(OTH) v. Peter: result 3-11 7-11 7-11
A classy, confident game from Peter ensured an easy win which left Derek(OTH) a bit demoralised. Peter really displayed his dominant game in this set.

Game 4: Sue v. David: result 8-11 8-11 11-5 13-15
David took a little while to adjust to Sue’s excellent all-round game and her more aggressive smashes but apart from a dip in concentration in game 3, David triumphed in a closely fought fourth game.

Game 5: Phil v. Peter: 9-11 11-7 11-9 15-13 11-6
Peter was less convincing in this set with Phil’s ability to return accurately hard-hit balls proving a handful. After just shading the first game, Peter’s chop failed to stop the aggressive punching forehand of Phil who triumphed in games 2 and 3. Peter shaded a long and attractive game 4 but the effort meant a subdued effort in game 5. A good win for Phil.

Game 6: Derek(OTH) v. Derek: result 5-11 6-11 11-8 11-6 11-9
Derek’s game seemed to improve in the first two games but suddenly in game 3 his game deteriorated with a distinct lack of effort shown for the rest of the match. The home team player was certainly beatable here but Derek simply gave up on the job – not good enough!

Game 7: Sue v. Peter: result 8-11 8-11 8-11
Solid and consistent game 1 from Peter against a very good player with excellent back and forehand and followed up by two more solid games to clinch the set. A very good result for Peter.

Game 8: Derek(OTH) v. David: result 11-6 11-7 6-11 7-11 6-11
David was initially slow in dealing with Derek’s confidence and accuracy in games 1 and 2, particularly with smashes. In game 3, Derek lost some consistency and David began to take charge and finished on top with good confident strokes all round.

Game 9: Phil v. Derek: result 11-8 7-11 11-4 11-6
Apart from an appreciable effort in game 2, Derek allowed Phil to dominate every aspect of the set and he completed it with little or no resistance from Derek who had effectively already left the building! A let-down for the other two team members who had played with commitment and success all evening. This must not be allowed to occur again!

A disappointing final score of 5-4 to the home side meant yet another defeat which should and could have been turned into victory with a bit more commitment in certain quarters.

DG