Tonight was the final match for our men’s first team in Division 2. With the title already won by Hunters, we had pride left to play for but it was a more important match for Redbridge who required a win to stand a chance of staying in the division.
It was a bit of a shock to see Redbridge only showing up with 2 pairs in this important match. This put more pressure on them to win all of their games to stand any hope of staying in the division.
So, on to the match. The line up for our team was:-
1st Pair – David / Oliver
2nd Pair – Alan / Andrew
3rd Pair – Gary / Kevin
First up on one court were the first pairs to get the match underway. This was a tough start and a very close first game which finished 21-20 to us. The second game was a bit more straightforward, once David and Oliver got settled in, winning 21-10 to make it 4-0 on the night and securing a league point.
On the next court it was the turn of the second pairs to play. Alan and Andrew came flying out of the blocks to storm the first game 21-6. However, Redbridge’s second pair got back into the match and it was a close run second game, finally finishing 21-18 to Alan and Andrew. This took the score to 5-0 on the night and secured the win and 2 league points.
With no third pair for Redbridge, the games moved on quickly and there was no chance for a rest! As soon as Alan and Andrew came off, they were straight back on against the first pair from Redbridge. A win would secure the maximum league points. The first game was a win for Redbridge 16-21 but our guys fought back in the next game. Unfortunately they fell just short, losing 19-21 to make it 5-1 on the night.
On the adjacent court, it was time for Gary and Kevin to take on the second pair. The guys, fresh from sitting on the bench, got off to a quick start taking the first game 21-11 then going on to cruise to a 21-9 win. This made the score 6-1 on the night and secured the bonus league point.
Gary and Kevin stayed on court to play their next match against the first pair from Redbridge. Still warm from their first match, they won the first game 21-14. However, Redbridge stepped up their game and ran a close game in the second game. Gary and Kevin weren’t going to let it slip though and pipped the game 21-20 to make it 7-1 on the night with one match left.
After a nice long rest, it was David and Oliver’s turn on the court again. This time against the second pair from Redbridge. The rest obviously did them good as they dispatched the opposition mercilessly 21-6, 21-5 to end the night on a high, finishing 8-1.
As mentioned earlier, Hunters had already tied up the league but we finished runners up and only a single point behind. It would have been good to see how the league would have finished if no matches had been conceded but for now I’d like to congratulate the guys on a good first season in Division 2. Next season will see Minster and Emerson Eagles 1 joining the division having been relegated from Division 1 and promoted from Division 3 respectively.
Well done lads!
