This could be yet another predictable report where the result will not have been in doubt from the onset. As last time, we could have taken the result as read and departed earlier for the Old Shears. But we’re not like that and honour required us to play out this battle under the unyielding white lights of the TT centre. In addition, we have been able to introduce our secret weapon, Alan Woods, deputising for a sickly John Mitchell.

Set 1 saw the 2 Terries in action with Terry A’s trademark steady returns tempting Terry w to attack, attack and attack. TW tried to tempt TA by tossing the ball up, but Terry was not to be tempted, winning G1 11-7. TW attacked hard in G2 and it worked, enabling him to level at 11-9. But the strategy did not work in G3 as TA’s defence prevailed against some wild smashes. 11-3 to TA. A mix of smashes but more misses helped Terry A to steam to 11-4 to win the first set for the ‘A’ Team,

Alan then took to the limelight, determined to stave off the lively Peter, who is capable of sensible defence and scintillating attack. However, Alan proved a harder nut to crack and played with skill and determination. He won G1 11-8, in a fast game peppered with some exciting attacking play. Peter stamped his authority on G2 during an even game, to win 11-8. At this point, I noticed that Alan’s socks appeared to be sponsored by Umbro, while his shorts seem to have come from Oxfam. Alan started well in G3, but allowed Peter to creep ahead to win 11-6. Alan took G4 by 11-5 after some good rallies, setting the scene for a decider which inched gingerly to 10 all, neither player wishing to squander a win. Alan prevailed to win 12-10 and the set.

Robin then met Derek whose body seems to be holding together quite well these days, despite numerous injections, potions and for all I know a vigorous massage by a lady of doubtful repute. From his comfortable position of superiority, Derek was able to attempt some ambitious smashes and many of them worked. Coupled with his spin serve and generally steadier play, Derek was able to wind up the set, 13-11, 11-5 & 11-7. Robin produced some useful forehand smashes as Derek tossed them back, so it was reasonably close in G1, but Derek wound up the set comfortably.

It was now time for Terry A to meet Alan. Would Terry’s relentless returns lead to long rallies while both waited for opportunities? To a point that happened, but eventually. Alan’s attacking nature came to the surface and he threw away a few points to allow the legendary consistent Terry to prevail: 11-3, 11-5, 11-8. Alan did not seem comfortable at the slower pace and his attacks did not connect as well as before. Tossing it up, a well known technique for player like Terry did not work. Derek, that keen observer of human movement, remarked on Terry’s excellent foot work, almost balletic, as his feet constantly sought the optimum location to exercise each shot. Terry even managed a couple of smashes, although the ball seemed to sit up in the air, pleading to be clobbered. Which he did.

At this point, two tables came into use to facilitate a swifter exit to then Old Shears and your correspondent had to observe two games, whilst attempting to win one of them. Terry W against Derek resulted in an 11-4, 11-7 and 11-6 victory to Derek. Both missed smashes but Derek played the more accurate game.

Meanwhile, Peter was demolishing Robin 11-3, 11-7 & 11-8, with Peter’s overall game being to much for the younger player, who has, of course, got time on his side to improve.

Could Terry W take any games off Peter? Could he recall his blistering form from his days as a bus driver when long breaks between shifts were spent on the TT table, while other bus employees were reading Jean Paul Sartre or doing OU degrees? Well, only to a point and Peter’s accuracy won through as he picked his winners well. Terry produced some vigorous back flips (with his bat, you understand, not his body) but to no avail. Peter won 11-,7 11-5 & 11-9.

Alan then took on Derek, who seemed at times to be running out of energy. Alan won G2 11-3, Derek executed some suicidal shots to go down 11-5 in G2, but recovered some composure in G3. He did not work out a way of playing Alan, but showed the occasional flash of skill to stay in the game. However, Alan moved ahead steadily to win 11-8 and the set.

In the final game, Terry A showed a rare streak of human weakness to allow Robin to take G3 11-8, with some quite useful forehand smashes, but Terry won the first 2 games 11-4 & 11-5. In G4 he wrapped it up to win 11-6,

The group then departed to the Old Shears to down a few pints and to discuss long term strategy. We had not ordered pies after the failure of delivery last time. We believe the delivery man was economical with the truth, something of an occupational hazard in that line of business. On a more optimistic note, our party was invited to take part in the quiz and we performed extremely well, to win the prize, 4 Sunday lunches, which will be taken up in due course. Terry A then had to leave to catch the last stagecoach to Bradford and to avoid being locked out by matron. So, overall, a successful evening of table tennis and sociability, with Alan’s presence giving the ‘B’ Team a bit more respectability with 2 wins. The final score was 7-2 to the ‘A’ Team