“The Stronger Link 2003” Phil and Derek !

Veterans of GB Doubles Championship Jan 2003

Following on from last year's close encounter Derek Thorpe & Phil Collins from Radlett had a close match with Trevor Cox and Rick Lowe a doubles pair from Oxfordshire at the week-end. Last year Derek & Phil lost very narrowly to once National Champion Stuart Courtney and Patrick Keenan in a 90 minute long Quarter-final match. (read “The Weakest Link?” )

The last time Phil & Derek played together was in that match, so a rather rusty and error-prone Radlett team struggled to get started, as they lost the first game quickly. Collins clearly had his dinner warming up in the oven as he attempted to hit a winner with every shot in the hope of an early finish. However a metaphorical kick up the back -side from Derek and a blow to the head from Trevor’s racket seemed to knock some sense into him. The second swung back in his and Derek's favour, and a rather nervously won third game, put them back on track, as they found their form and patience with not a little amount of "baulking" going on.

 In doubles you should always stop when obstructed, regardless of the position, for safety. You then play a let, and the rally starts all over again. Occasionally, if a team is "clever", whenever they are in trouble, they just step in front of the ball (and pray no-one hits the ball). This always seems to happen when you are in control and looking to win a point.

However there are always 2 sides to a story, and the Radlett team had its share of lets. Once the mistakes were cut out, and the usual war of attrition got going in the 4th game, the conclusion was no longer in doubt. Phil, in typical form powerfully dominated his side of the court, but unusually, Derek finished the game off with 2 winning volley-nicks. Derek and Phil won 3-1 in an hour and now go on to the Quarter-Finals, once again to be held at the plush RAC Club in Epsom.