Old Town Hares are currently Division leaders so POPPs B (third from bottom currently) framed themselves to save face and attempt at least to win some games. So the formidable Hares trio of Simon, Phil and Neil faced the rather less than formidable POPPs B team of Alan W, Terry W and John M. However, Alan turned out to be the star of the evening winning all 3 of his sets in dramatic style. In his first set against Simon the writing seemed to be on the wall from the off with Alan losing the first game rapidly 4 – 11 having trouble with Simon’s serve and brisk returns. In the second game his service return improved a little and managed to get into some longer rallies. Simon played with more abandon in this game, probably because he won the first so easily, and began to miss some of his more aggressive shots. This gave Alan the opportunity to pull back an early deficit and take the game to 10 all. Simon served for the set on 3 occasions but Alan returned and through dogged defence survived and served out to win the game 15 – 13. With this setback Simon returned to his rather more circumspect style of the first game and had little difficulty winning the 3rd game. Alan continued to improve his service return but lost out on the long defensive rallies as Simon just kept pushing the ball back and waiting for mistakes. At this point it looked as if Simon had re-established his superiority after a temporary lapse in the second game and was well on his way to victory. Oh ye of little faith! Alan would have none of this and, having adapted his game to deal with Simon’s difficult serves, now dug in to improve his accuracy and reliability in the long pushing rallies. He did this to such good effect that he ran out the winner of the remaining 2 games 11- 7 and 11 – 5, and so winning the set 3 games to 2.

Terry’s first set, against Phil, was altogether more predicable and very much quicker with very few rallies of more than 4 strokes. Of the three Hare’s players Phil probably had the trickiest serve of all. He hardly won any points against Phil’s serve with his returns flying off the sides of the table to left or right or, to break the monotony, occasionally into the net. If and when a rally got going, usually on Terry’s serve, a few points were salvaged but the final game scores were 8 – 11, 6 – 11, 1 -11, evidence of Phil’s domination and Terry’s frustration and lack of patience.

John’s first match was against Neil. The first game showed some promise with John getting in some very good backhand drives but, like Terry before, missing too many forehand ‘winners’. He also tended to be the first to make a mistake in the longer pushing rallies. However, despite losing 7 – 11, John was settling in, finding his range and looked like he was beginning to raise his game. This was confirmed in the second game which remained close throughout with John winning 12 – 10. This may have taken it out of the old war horse though and with his forehand continuing to let him down and Neil prolonging the rallies as much as possible, the next 2 games were both lost 5 – 11. losing the set 1 game to 3.

Terry’s second set was against Simon who, chastened by his 5 game loss to Alan, started with determination and confidence. His confidence  was undoubtedly boosted by Terry’s previous less than impressive showing. And, as contenders for the Division champions in a very tight competition, every game lost could be crucial in the final reckoning. Simon made no mistake and won 7 -11, 1 -11 and 8 -11. Terry played his usual occasional dramatic backhand and forehand winners, one crashing backhand smash made from 3 feet to the side of the table with the ball at shoulder height. It could have gone anywhere and normally it would have. Fortunately on this occasion it hit the right end of the right table.

Alan’s second set against Neil was the highlight of the evening. To cut a long story short Alan won 3 games to 2 but not before losing the first two games 5 -11 and 9 -11. The key lesson to be taken from watching Alan is that he learns from the early stages of a match, sharpens up what are the vulnerable aspects of his game, and modifies his strategy to nullify his opponent’s strengths. Alan has gained a reputation from previous matches of winning 5 game sets and coming from behind. (No doubt the latter is a characteristic Yorkshire trait). His winning of the 3rd game 11 – 4 may perhaps be partly due to Neil losing a little concentration being 2 games up, but if this is the case it was his undoing. Alan went on the win the remaining 2 games 11 – 7 and 11 – 9. Neil tried to dig in and eliminate errors but Alan’s relentless concentration and consistency proved too much to resist.

Your reporter would like to draw a veil over the next 3 sets, all won comfortably by the Hares. John lost to Phil and Simon in 3 straight games. Terry played his remaining set against Neil and, as John had done earlier, managed to take a game from him. So John’s and Terry’s haul for the night was 1 game each. I suppose we shouldn’t be too disappointed given the quality of the team we were playing. And who knows, in the Greater Scheme of Things, these 2 games taken from the Hares may help the cause of the POPPs A team who are one of the contenders, with Hares, to win the Division and be promoted.

The last set was Alan against Phil and, by Alan’s standards, was a rather routine victory. He lost the first game (as usual!) 5 – 11 but in the process sussed out Phil’s demon serves and his quick fire aggressive block returns. The second game was very close as Alan developed his game strategy, winning 13 – 11 (after being 0 – 4 down). The next 2 games went Alan’s way 11 – 7 and 11 – 2. In the final game Phil’s frustration led him to go for too many winners, in contrast to how he had been playing throughout the evening, but to no avail.

The final outcome was a loss for POPPS B, 3 sets to 6. This may prove to be a crucial result as the struggle to avoid being bottom of the Division is just as close as the battle to be top so every set and game won could be vital.

Terry A started proceedings but never really got warmed up in his first set against Barbara Gee and lost 3-0. Peter Mc then played and beat Rob Gee by the same score, followed by John T who did the same to Josh Gee. Score 2-1 to us.

Barbara was next opponent for Peter who was dispensed with in the same manner as Terry.
Score 2-2.

Terry reversed his first score by beating Josh 3-0, but then John lost to Rob.
Score 3-3.

Peter wins in 3 against Josh. John after coming back from 2 down against Barbara and leading in the 5th falls at the final hurdle (the net in this case). Score 4-4.

However,Terry, waiting patiently at the starting gate takes on Rob, gallops away in 3 straight and wins us the match, 5 sets to 4.

After a 3-6 defeat in the last encounter with the G’s this was a most satisfactory reversal in our favour.
Although we have slipped off the top spot in the Division, we still have an outside chance of a Top 2 placing, depending of course on how other results go.

Popps A (combined ages 201!) beat Senior Citizens (combined Ages 216!!!) 9 nil.

A great way to celebrate being at the top of Div 3 (albeit having played more matches than the nearest challengers). Terry A lead the way with another flawless display of getting everything back —- an excellent example to all of us on how to win games.

Alan Wood gave us the most exciting match of the night to come back from 5-9 down in the 5th to win it 11-9 despite an unbelievable number of edges and nets which went in favour of his opponent. He proceeded to win his other 2 games as well.

Peter Mc also had 3 wins to make it a whitewash for Senior Citizens.

All in all very satisfactory considering that last year they beat us in both matches. A good measure on how our coach Alan Dickinson has improved our games in the last 12 months. Many thanks Alan.

POPPs B played Northowram G on Monday 15th February and lost 0 – 9.  Unlike the last time we played the G family team (when we won 5 – 4) they were at full strength. The POPPs team of Alan, Joan and Terry W all played well and both Alan and Joan troubled the scorer by winning a game each. Terry came close a couple of times with games setting at 10 but couldn’t get the edge or net shot required to actually win a game. He probably produced the most spectacular winners during the evening but these were far outnumbered by spectacular misses and errors. In one game 2 attempted smashes hit Barbara G on the head twice and one got the score between the eyes. Joan and Alan played with a good deal more patience and continue to improve.

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

POPPS B were beaten 9 nil. However Joan and Alan put on a worthy performance but were no match to the Seniors superior skills, tricky serves and dodgy spin. John was man of the match for POPPswithout a doubt having taken Roy Aldroyd to 5 sets (or is that in tennis?). John won his 1st game  in his other 2 matches but Alwyn & Harry (owns a big pub at Bull Green) managed to come from behind in the end which John found rather painful but vowed never to give up.

Alan.

Excellent debuts by both the Woods partnership.  Alan with a maximum for Popps, assisted by John T and Peter Mc  lead us to the 9 – 0 victory.  Norma, Alan’s wife, guested ( and starred ) for the visitors who were  one  short.   She provided a scintillating display of power hitting which the home team had to work hard to cope with.  Her match finished to rounds of applause from an audience who had come from all corners of the Centre to watch.  No doubt we will now have to fight off many offers for her services, which we will, no matter what the price.
 
Ist Round of the Sealed Handicap competition. We won by more than the handicap allotted, quite a satisfying result against a Div 2 team.

This match was played on 26th January with POPPS B the home team. We were looking forward to this match as it gave us a rare opportunity to play a higher division team and get some idea of the level of competition we need to aspire to. Given our lowly position languishing near the bottom of Division 3 and that of RAMS in division 2, and going on the fact that we have narrowly won both our doubles handicap matches so far by a mere handful of points, we were confident that if we played to our ability the handicapper would one again contrive a close game for us. We have learnt from the previous doubles handicap matches that every point counts and even if on the point of losing a game to love it is worth keeping your head up and trying to snatch even 1 point if possible

The format of the match is that each player plays their 3 opponents for 2 games up to 21, swapping serve every 5 points. As expected RAMS won every game and so ended up with a score of 378. We assumed a handicap of about 200 (i.e. a start of about 11 points per game). The visitors, obviously aware of our match record in the league so far this season, apologised in advance for the thrashing we were about to receive! It was pointed out that they hate winning games to love and in the normal course of events would avoid this by showing some mercy. But in a sealed handicap the gloves had to be off as every point may count. No mercy would be shown. This may account for the despondency and frustration that crept into the RAMs team as the match progressed. The first game involving Terry W went to RAMs 21 – 17 and the second 21- 8. In fact this was the pattern for the entire match with all the POPPS players, Alan P and John M, managing high scores in the first game of each set and then slumping somewhat in the second. The outcome of this is that at the end of the match POPPs had a 215 point deficit. It was a tense moment when the sealed envelope was opened to reveal the handicap. POPPs though they had not done quite enough and would probably lose by the sorts of narrow margins we have won by in the past. RAMs were convinced they had lost and had expected to have a much bigger lead over us. Both teams were surprised when the handicap was revealed as 144 for POPPS B. We were not too disappointed as we felt we had not done quite enough but the handicap revealed we were miles off what we needed. No doubt we could have won a handful of more points had we played a little better or had a little more luck, but I don’t think there was any way we could have got the additional 71 points needed for victory. We came away pleased with the standard of play we had achieved and pleased that we had not let ourselves down.

So, onwards into the second half of the season and the next round of the double handicap. Both Alan and John have played better in the last couple of matches than I have ever seen before and there is a good chance we will improve our position in the division before the end of the season. I think we are currently second to bottom out of 11 teams. I’m hoping a realistic target will be to finish 3rd or 4th from bottom. Or rather more positively, in the top half of the bottom half!

POPPS ‘B’ IN WINNING MOOD AGAIN
For the home match against this team in October, POPPS ‘B’ registered an historic first win. However, we did have the experienced John Taylor subbing, so we knew that things might be different this time. In addition, we would be playing away. Perhaps Sowerby had a strange table only playable by regular users. 

Or we might be intimidated by a large crowd of locals giving their side vocal support. For some of us, going up to Sowerby would be unchartered territory. Would our cars be still there after the match? Were we in danger of being kidnapped by local dissidents? All this could affect the composure and confidence of our team: Terry W, John M & Robin.

In the event, our team registered a 9-0 win, but not before one or two distractions. Terry spent half an hour driving round the village trying to find the venue and arrived a little frazzled. He eventually had to ask some locals where the club was. They looked at him with a degree of menace, but eventually decided that the owner of such a scruffy tracksuit was not worth mugging. We all found the expensive German table unfamiliar after the centre’s tables. It seemed too short. In addition, Sowerby seemed able to use the hot air coming from the heaters to influence the direction of their shots. 

John Mitchell kicked off against Andy Garnett and after a tentative start when Andy caught up to 9-10, John held it together to win 11-9.  John was more assertive in G2 and won 11-5.  G3 was again shaky and Andy placed some shots out of reach for John, still not back at his mobile best. Level at 10 each, John eventually edged to 13-11.  Robin then played Martin Grace. Both struggled with each other’s serve and spent the match learning how to deal with them.  Robin  won the first two 11-7, but allowed Martin back in with 11-7 & 11-9.,  The decider was therefore quite tentative, but Robin played with care to make it safe at 11-4.

By this time a trembling Terry had arrived and West Yorkshire Police were asked to call off the search. A number of people in this area had been attacked by mutant zombies, so they were worried until we reported his arrival.  Liz played with confidence to win G1 11-4 as Terry blinked in the bright lights of the clubroom, but he started to get his act together to move to 11-6. Liz led at first in G3 as Terry started to adjust to the table, but he managed to win 11-5.  He began to stamp his authority on the set in G4 with better attacks and flicks and finished it at 11-4,at which point, Liz let out a very loud ‘Rubbish’, presumably a comment on her own playing, although I think most of us would have noticed a solid improvement since our earlier match.

Martin met John in G4 and a pattern of edginess developed with John matching one good smash with a poor one, but he did enough to win 11-6.  In G2, the tension resulted in John talking to himself and demonstrating some colourful language. Martin executed an outrageous fluke at 5-5 while John at one time called himself a ‘jughead’. However, the jughead prevailed in the end at 11-9.  John found himself out of position at times in G3, but Martin served off the table to give him a point. John had another fluke and slowly inched ahead to win 11-9.

Andy, who appears to be sponsored by the Paradise Shirt Co, at South Beach, executed some very aggressive forehand smashes, but was not consistent enough to match Terry as he  moved to 11-7 in G1. In G2, Terry managed some effective smashes while Andy squandered a serve, so Terry won 11-6.  A good Terry back hand flick in G3 was followed by a failed one. Andy managed a couple of very useful forehands, but his stamina flagged to allow Terry to win 11-7.

The first game between Robin and Liz was close as Robin had to recover from 8-10, but in G2 he settled into his game to win 11-7. His occasional side spin serve started to have effect in G6 and he finished at 11-6 to take the set with a good smash.

By this time POPPS had won the match and could perhaps afford to open up their game. Terry took on Martin, a game frequently interrupted by Liz shrieking like a demented hyena, but the players held their concentration as Terry cruised to 11-3 in G1, although Terry was heard to growl loudly when he missed a shot. It makes you believe that Table Tennis might make quite a good radio sport. G2 was stressful as Martin levelled at 9-9, but Terry calmed down to win 11-9. He thought he’d won the set and shook hands with Martin, but there was one more game to play. Martin led initially, the game levelled at 8 each but Terry put a couple of smashes together to win 11-9.  Set 8 saw Liz against John, who told a couple of dodgy Irish jokes during the warm-up. John imposed his authority on this game as his mobility improved and he won 11-2, 11-3 and 11-6.

In the final set, Andy met Robin, and although the match had been won, pride was at stake with the need to avoid bottom spot (which can be very painful) in the averages.   Robin won the first 2 games 11-6 and 11-6, trying to keep things steady, but saw that Andy had a dangerous forehand smash which could be quite effective.  It worked well in G3 which he won 11-8. However, the smash was inconsistent and led to some points being lost. G4 was close at first, but Robin held it together to win 11-5.

So, Popps registered another rare win in a match, as usual, played in good spirits with plenty of humour.  The key now is to sustain that improvement against more experienced opponents.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes Terry A excelled with a flawless exhibition of immaculate control (or was it conception?). The hard hitting Tradesmen banged not only the ball but their heads too trying to find a way past his superb defence.

He started the match off well with a 3-0 win against their No 1 Joshua. But Peter Mc and Derek G could not capitalise on this fine start, both loosing, and so the match score is now 2-1 against.

Enter Terry with another 3-0 against their No 3 Matthew. Score now 2-2.

Derek then lost a tight game against No 2 Sam so we then went behind again 3-2.

Peter came on and started getting his attack going to beat their No 3 Matthew and level the match to 3-3.

Again Derek , playing much better, had a very close game against their No 1, but finished 2nd and so Tradesmen are back in the lead 4-3.

However tenacious Terry returns to show us how it should be done with a 3rd 3-0 making the match score 4-4.

All depends on the last game but Peter keeps it together to give the Big Hitter, No1 Joshua, a run for his money. I’d like to say he smashed him off the table (well, I did, did’nt I?) and manages to get the win and Popps A gain a hard fought victory.

We then adjourned to the “Olde Shears” for a well earned pint to find they have a new manager, the last one presumably finished for having too many tins of mushy peas on his shelves instead of profit.