Tonight it was the first match of the season for our newly promoted Men’s 1 team. Having been promoted in successive seasons from Division 4 up to Division 2 last season, it was time to be tested against the teams of Division 1. Tonight’s opponents were Ramgarhia who were recovering from an 1-8 loss against Barking 1 a few weeks ago.
Our pairs tonight were:-
Tom / Andy W
Henry / Oliver
Kenny / Alan
First up on court were Tom and Andy against Ramgarhia’s first pair. Because it was the first match of the season, our lads were a bit rusty and short of match practice. The first game took a while to get going and they lost it 16-21. The next game was a much closer affair with Tom and Andy getting into the match. However, it was not to be and they slipped to a 19-21 loss.
On the adjacent court, Henry and Oli were taking on the second pair from Ramgarhia. It was the first time Oli and Henry have played as a pair in the matches so it was going to take a bit to get used to each other’s game style. The first game they got out quickly and it was neck and neck for most of it. Unfortunately, Ramgarhia were just a bit more together and nicked it 18-21. The second game was a bit worse for our lads slipping to a 12-21 loss to make it 0-2 on the night.
As it was early in the night, the lads were given a third court to use to get the games going. Therefore, it was straight on court for Kenny and Alan against Ramgarhia’s third pair. Our lads took a while to get into the game but it was too late to salvage the first game, going down 16-21. However, they clicked in the second game and pushed all the way to the end, narrowly losing it 20-21.
Henry and Oli were back on against Ramgarhia’s first pair. It was going to be tough to pick up from their last game and they were slow to get off the mark, losing 13-21. However, they picked it up in the second game and again narrowly missed out 18-21 to make it 0-4 on the night and Ramgarhia picking up a league point.
Kenny and Alan were straight back on the adjacent court against Ramgarhia’s third pair. The first game was a shocker with nothing going the way of our lads. Net shots not going over for us but climbing over for the opponents just seemed to conspire to make our lads lose out. They slipped to a quick 7-21 loss. Determined to make amends, they came out firing in the second game but again things didn’t want to go our way. It ended 15-21 to make it 0-5 on the night and meaning Ramgarhia took the win.
We just needed to win all 4 of the remaining matches to salvage a league point. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side and everything seemed to be going for Ramgarhia. The shuttle didn’t seem to want to work for us tonight but were happy to climb over the net for our opponents!
Tom and Andy took to the court against the third pair from Ramgarhia, determined to get a result. They started well and matched their opponents but lady luck didn’t want to help us. Some favourable shots from the other side meant we ended up dropping the game 17-21. The second game never got started and we lost it 10-21 to make it 0-6 on the night and secure all 3 league points for Ramgarhia.
With just pride to play for now, Kenny and Alan took to the court against Ramgarhia’s first pair. Again, lady luck had other plans for us and the shuttle wouldn’t work for us. It ended their night 14-21, 15-21 to round off a miserable night for Kenny and Alan.
Tom and Andy took to the court in their final match, determined to salvage at least one match against our opponents. It just wasn’t to be though and they lost out 14-21, 11-21.
Now it was up to Henry and Oli to avoid the whitewash. This was against Ramgarhia’s third pair so hopes were high for a result. It was a very close match with points being traded but it just wasn’t to be (again!), losing out 18-21 then 17-21.
It was a thoroughly miserable night for our lads but all is not lost. It was our first match and despite losing 0-9, we are not bottom of the league and have 7 more fixtures to go in a long season. I’m certain that with some match practice on club night and some settled pairs, the lads will start to turn things around and become the fearless team they’ve been in the last 3 seasons. This was truly a baptism of fire but luck was just not on our side tonight.
With next week’s fixture postponed, the next match will be on the 9th December at home to bottom of the table Harold Hill. That gives the lads 3 weeks to get some practice in and settle in to the pairs and lets come out firing on all cylinders.
Unlucky lads for the result but it’s a long season and we’re just starting. We’re behind you all the way.
