Nemesis 6 Clee Sports F 4 (Plus our Cup Wins!) Plus!!!

Last week we beat Clee Sports F 6-4. All three of them (Andy Vinson, Ernie Bromley and Simon Appleton) were experienced chop\push defenders. Andy has a bad habit of trying to chop against chop, but otherwise they are a solid, hardworking side.

One highlight was Ernie's fightback from behind to beat Brian in the 5th. Our Dennis also fought back, from 2 games down, to beat Andy. Andy versus Dennis became chop versus lob, a rare sight. Simon took a game off me and generally battled well. Dennis and I lost the doubles, but three points was already secured.

This week we play our postponed cup match with second division Louth. My main concern is that my back is rather sore this weekend. I will have to take more care.

26\11\11 - Last Tuesday we beat Louth by 59 points (from a 110 point start). Their captain Ian Turner admitted they made the classic mistake of trying to defend against lower-league opposition. Personally I took games off both Ian and Ken Harrison. I even ran Jason Lambert close. Our Brian was solid too. Dennis's only blot was losing 6 and 12 to Jason. To make up for that, Dennis took a game off Ken to 17.

We play Cup Holders Clee Sports H (also from Division 3) in the next round.

3\12\2011 - Last week we beat Clee Sports G 7-3. Again Eileen Allison was My nemesis with her "funny" combination bat. Without being unsporting, however, I must say her "nets" in the first 2 games were killers for me. That does not disguise the fact that I have yet to find winning tactics against That bat. Brian beat her in the end with a couple of high lobs! Indeed Brian was MOM with 3 wins.

I seem to have got used to Roger Chapman now, with his F\H flicks and F\H drives from his B\H wing. Dennis beat chop\pusher Richard Barnes (who hated his sidespin lobs) and helped me take the doubles. On reflection, decent luck might have given us an 8-2 win, but we can't complain.

Wed. 7\12\11. 22.00. Tomorrow I now intend to attend Practice. My back still isn’t quite right, but I want to try out some new shots. I’d like to develop my long B\H loop and F\H+B\H combinations. Need to practice my chopped return of a fast topspin serve (because returning in kind is too predictable and exploitable). Would also like to try attacking with my combination bat on both wings.

Have enjoyed watching the World Pro Tour Tournament (or whatever) on Sky Sports. The game looks quicker again after a period of rangy loops. There have been some real tat-at-at rallies going on in this tournament. The Chinese still dominate proceedings of course.

Last night we won our Cup match very well! I went on in the last “match” needing just 2 points to take the tie! Earlier it had been more nip and tuck. My battle with Alan Walton was an epic. This time I was untroubled by his clever serves, so we both attacked well. I won the first game 21-13, a fine achievement. The 2^nd game was very close though, and I cannot recall who won.

Pushing to Keith Farmery’s backhand proved effective and I hit great form against him. Keith is very sporting, openly applauding all good shots and play by his opponents. He makes no excuses when he loses. In fact he keeps saying I am giving another “master class”! (Wait until I play well, lol).

My match against Janet Clarke was just a “knock”. Dennis improved enormously from his earlier league showing. His lob game is getting quite effective now. Getting your range must be very hard when lobbing. Brian was as solid as ever. Like me he plays a very efficient game. Both Brian and I avoid moving our feet too much. In fact I am playing some incredible B\Hs these days, from ridiculous positions! Dennis, on the other hand, runs all around the court. Sometimes Dennis will charge forward to hit a F\H smash! The coaches would tear their hair out... Nuff Said. Out.

More:

http://sportales.com/sports/grimsby-table-tennis-latest-2011-2012/

A Week of Mixed Fortunes

Last week we (Nemesis) played two 3^rd Division matches. On Monday we beat DC Plastering 8-2. Wednesday saw us lose 3-7 to Urban Juice.

DC Plastering finished second in Division 4 last year and were promoted. They have found the going tough at this higher level, but recently gained a draw against Colbrook Roofing. Technically they are a sound team, with both Ray Corke and Howard Mills having played at a higher level. I recall playing a cup match against Ray in the 1980s (for NALGO), when he was with “Grimsby Valuation” alongside Steve Carter. Valuation played down Bargate, Grimsby and we were given a “start” against them.

On Monday Ray beat Dennis Burgoyne quite convincingly. He only lost 12-14 in the fifth to Brian. But it was Howard who did best against me, taking the first game. Ray’s son Danny produced some big forehand winners against us all but without much reward. In the end they took the doubles (I was rested) to make it 2-8.

Against Urban Juice, the boot was on the other foot. We grabbed just a point by winning the doubles. With one or two better shots and more luck we might have stolen a draw.

My match against Billy Wong was incredible: I lost 11-3, 5-11, 4-11, 11-5, 10-12. In that final game I came back from 2-8 down to lead 9-8, then missed two smashes at the end.

Brian lost to Leo 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 8-11. I watched that one from afar: it was a marathon! Brian complained of unlucky edges...

The solid, big hitting Dave Hanks, who named his team after his graphic design firm, did his bit by beating Dennis convincingly. Urban Juice seem to be champions elect, so I think we stood up quite well against them.

While we played Urban Juice, just behind us in the hall, “Grimsby Mariners” were beating Market Rasen 6-4. Lesley Keast did her best to spoil the Mariners’ fun, by winning all three. She beat Sean 14-12 in the fifth to avenge a defeat last season. Girl Power! The Mariners won the match though. Craig Kendall updated Facebook for the team. Well, sort of for the team. Nuff Said.

PS - Have been making a lot of comebacks this season. Against Danny (above) I came back from 0-6 down to win the third game 11-9! Earlier I recovered from about 1-6 down to beat Alan Walton 12-10 in the fifth.

Paul Butters