Nottingham beat East Dorset 5-0

[<<] [>>] by Dave Fuller at Cheltenham
27th August (AC - Inter-Club)

We have done well to get through to the semi-final of this national AC team knock-out and so we turned up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed wondering whether we would be Merry Men or be beaten up by the pesky Sheriff. Would we be Robin them of a place in the final? Would our roquets be arrow-straight? (David, stop with the daft Robin Hood references for goodness sake? Ed).

Well all I can say is that we might well have saved ourselves a journey.

Nottingham brought a very strong team including James Death (world #6) although we felt we had chances.

In the morning, the doubles match, Jeff and myself, went 'poorly' against James and Omied. We had one chance before losing -26. Ah well. Alongside us, two singles matches for Jonathan and David Williams were similarly one-sided early doors. Jonathan managed to get in and create a three-ball ending but Lorna hit across the court to snatch the win. David was up against an inspired Rick Harding who made no errors to take that match also to make it 0-3 at lunchtime. When I say lunchtime, the play was so quick that it was actually just after elevenses!

Jeff started his singles match with James Death who got in first and set a Sextuple Leave (for the uninitiated, completing a Sextuple is a very clever thing). Jeff missed a 30yder by a whisker, and James completed the Sextuple (six peels while completing a twelve hoop break) to win. I watched the whole thing and it really was pretty darn impressive.

I started my match with Omied Hallam, who is very strong as well and he went round and broke down on a Triple Peel. I hit in and did twelve hoops but was careless trying to peg one of his balls out allowing Omied to finish off.

So 0-5 and we all decided that enough was enough. Congratulations Nottinhgham who go through to the final against soneone else, but who cares.

The courts were in lovely condition, very green, a certain shade of green, erm, I can't quite think what it is called, perhaps I will remember later...

Results (Nottingham players first)

James Death & Omied Hallam beat Jeff Dawson and David Fuller +26

James beat Jeff +26SXP

Rick Harding beat David Williams +26

Lorna Dewar beat Jonathan Powe +13

Omied beat David F +14

Rick v Jonathan & Lorna v David W unplayed