Colchester beat Watford 5-2

[<<] [>>] by David Haslam at Colchester
22 Aug 2004 (AC - Longman Cup)

Colchester names first:

David Haslam (4) & Margaret Selmes (12) beat Simon Hathrell (4.5) & John Moore (16) +1t
Gerry Varndell (10) beat Janet Lewis (11) +13
Peter Bishop (12) beat Ian Parkinson (4.5) +25

David Haslam lost to Ian Parkinson -2
Gerry Varndell beat Simon Hathrell +15
Peter Bishop lost to Janet Lewis -10
Margaret Selmes beat John Moore +1t

The score of 5-2 suggests a much more comfortable win by Colchester over Watford than was actually the case. The two key matches were the doubles and one of the singles and both involving Margaret Selmes. In the morning the win by Peter Bishop over Ian Parkinson by +25 was an example of how to use bisques to build brakes and included some precision play by Peter, now returned to playing after a lengthy break due to family commitments. Gerry Varndell continues to improve and comfortably dealt with the threat from Janet Lewis. The doubles was a cat and mouse affair with Simon Hathrell and John Moore looking to have the edge until they used their final half bisque after which the home team gained the upper hand. On the sound of time being called David Haslam made the winning hoop and left the balls in the four corners. 3 - 0 at lunch time and the home team was quietly jubilant. A different thing after lunch as the Colchester players tired and the Watford players gained in confidence. Peter suffered most and succumbed to a rejuvenated Janet whilst David contrived to lose by 2 to Ian Parkinson in a game that looked all over after an hour and a half. A senior moment resulted in a life belt being tossed to Ian who gratefully accepted the chance to finish by the small margin of +2 when David "pegged out" his second ball only to be reminded that he had not made rover! However, the game of the day was Margaret Selmes' win over John Moore who retained three of his four bisques until late in the game and had a lead of 10 hoops as time approached. Margaret kept her nerve and constructed an excellent break to level as time was called and then in a repeat of the morning made one further hoop before leaving the balls in all four corners. John missed the hit and that was it, +1 on time.