On Friday last week, the Mens 1 team played their final match of the season and won 5-4 against Central Leicester Mens 1, reversing the result and gaining revenge for defeat the previous week.
After their narrow defeat at home, the team knew the away fixture would be another close contest, with a few points being the difference between winning or losing a rubber. Henri & Raheel won one out of three rubbers along with Alex L & Steve, both pairs beating Central's second pair. David & Lee had struggled to find top gear in the last couple matches, but fought hard and won their first two rubbers. With the scores tied at 4-4, David & Lee won their final rubber and secured victory for the team. They rightly deserve the title of star performers this time around. It's been a season of 'what ifs' for the Mens 1 team, who finish with a record of 7 wins and 3 losses and just miss out on promotion. Thank you to everyone who played for the Mens 1 team this season. On Monday, the Mens 1 team lost 4-5 against Central Leicester Mens 1, ending any hopes of promotion.
David & Lee won one of their three rubbers, beating Central's second pair and losing narrowly to the first and third pairs. The story was the same for Alex L & Alex B, who also beat the second pair and just lost out to the first and third pairs. This was a creditable performance considering they've not played together competitively. Henri & Raheel faired better and won two out of three rubbers. With the scores level at 4-4, hopes of victory rested on Henri & Raheel winning all three rubbers by beating Central's third pair in the last rubber. Unfortunately, it was not to be and they lost in three games. It was yet another match where the players rued missed opportunities and this loss ends the promotion push for this season with a match to go. Mens 1 will be hoping to reverse the result when the teams meet again in just over a weeks time on Friday 29th April. The Mens 1 team lost 2-7 against Meltonshire Mens 2 on Friday, leaving any hopes of promotion resting on the final two matches against Central Leicester Mens 1, who lead the division.
David & Lee lost narrowly to Meltonshire's first pair, had a horror show against the second pair, but came back strongly to beat the third pair in two games. Henri & Raheel beat Meltonshire's second pair, but lost out to the first and third pairs. Unfortunately, Alex & Joel had to concede their rubbers after Joel rolled his knee and spent the evening with a cold compress. We all hope Joel makes a quick recovery. Although the scoreline suggests otherwise, the team came away thinking it was a missed opportunity. On another day and with a healthy team the result may have been different. The first of the final two matches against Central Leicester Mens 1 is the home fixture on Monday 18th April. The Mens 1 team won 6-3 against Enderby Mens 1 last night, making it six wins from seven matches.
Enderby had no third pair and conceded three rubbers, but after losing the first two rubbers of the night, a Croakers victory was not a foregone conclusion. However, the team stood firm and won sufficient rubbers to secure the win. David & Lee struggled to find their rhythm and lost to Enderby’s first pair, but after a few words of encouragement from the team captain, beat the second pair in two games. The star performers on the night were Raheel & Alex B, winning both rubbers, including a dogged performance against Enderby’s first pair. This was Alex B's first league match since joining Croakers - an impressive debut. Aside from the concession, Steve & Alex L were unable to win a rubber, but gave a good account of themselves and were unlucky on a few points. The next match is against Meltonshire Mens 2 on Friday 8th April. Tonight's match between Croakers' Mens 1 team and Enderby Mens 1 has been conceded by Enderby.
This concession gifts the Mens 1 team maximum points and makes it five wins from six matches. The next match is the return fixture against Enderby Mens 1 on Sunday 20th March. The Mens 1 team won 9-0 against Ashby Mens 1 last night, making it two wins from two matches this week.
The team was composed of David & Lee, Henri & Raheel and Steve & Joel. Star performers on the night were Steve & Joel who, after logging very little (if any) match practice together, won all three rubbers confidently. Thanks to Ashby for being excellent hosts and providing a selection of sandwiches and biscuits. The next match is against Enderby Mens 1 on Monday 14th March. The Mens 1 team won 6-3 against Oadby Mens 1 on Monday, making it three wins from four matches so far this season.
After losing 1-8 in the previous match against Meltonshire back in January, the team were keen to get back on track against Oadby. Unfortunately, Raheel was unable to play, so responsibility passed to vice-captain Henri to rally the troops and spread the positivity. David & Lee continued their good form and won all three rubbers, with Henri & Alex winning two and Steve & Jitesh winning one. The next match is against Ashby Mens 1 on Thursday 3rd March. Mens 2 played their final match of the season on Wednesday last week, winning 8-1 against Birstall Mens 1.
Mens 2 had already guaranteed promotion in the previous match, but this victory secures the team’s unbeaten record and puts the seal on a successful campaign. The team was composed of Joel & Kam, Martin & Steve and Mustafa & Trevor. Congratulations to Trevor and his Mens 2 team, a real phoenix from the flames story following last season’s disappointment. On Monday last week, the Mens 2 team won their latest match 6-3 in the return fixture against Loughborough Mens 4.
This made it seven wins from seven and proved to be the most challenging. Trevor, the team captain, said, "An injury to Martin halfway through the match left us with a slender 4-3 lead going into the final two rubbers. Fortunately we were able to win both and maintain our unbeaten run." Joel & Kam won all three rubbers, Jitesh & Trevor won two and Martin & Steve won one. This victory guarantees promotion from division 6b with a match to spare. Well done, team! The next and final match of an outstanding season is against Birstall Mens 1 on Wednesday 24th February. The Mens 2 team will be hoping to finish the season off in style and stay unbeaten. On Monday, the Mens 2 team won 8-1 against Loughborough Mens 4, virtually guaranteeing promotion from division 6b.
The team's night was made all the easier as Loughborough Mens 4 only fielded two pairs. Their first pair managed to take all three of their rubbers to three games, finally managing to win the final rubber of the night 22-20 in the deciding game against Mustafa & Trevor. The other pairs were Joel & Kam and Martin & Steve who won all their rubbers. The team now boast an impressive record of six wins from six with only two matches left to play. The next match is the return fixture against Loughborough Mens 4 on Monday 1st February. |
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