TVS Broxbourne 
repel borders!

 TVS Broxbourne  3-2  Tek Sing Lexden

 

Many of the National Leagues Team managers understand the feeling that when your at the top, there is only one way to go, and the slightest break in concentration can see a seasons work destroyed in a blink. The pressure at the top is as great as at the bottom!

 

With the visit of reigning National League Champions, Tek Sing Lexden, the TVS Broxbourne team were aware of the stiff task ahead of them, and the need to control the match from the start.

 

First on court was Danny Meddings, now enjoying a relative 'breather' at 4th string, having deputised at 1st string more than once in the past year! His opponent, the young Chris Smith, who seemed a little daunted at the prospect of playing one of 'veteran' pro's still appearing in National League. It was like master & pupil. Never troubled until Meddings was 'spoken too' for being a 'little to rough' about the T, the Broxbourne player strolled to a 3-0 win.

 

In contrast, Alex Stait, making only his second appearance of the season for Broxbourne, encountered the deft racket skills of Australian, Raj Nanda. Stait took the first 9-4, whilst both were 'warming up', but Nanda's magic wand had Stait wandering the court like a mouse searching for the cheese! His ability to kill the ball from distance, helped him take the second & third games. But gritty Stait was having none of it. The dogged determination that has seen him climb steadily up the World rankings above Nanda this year took control, and the rapidly tiring Lexden player began to make a number of what was to be, crucial errors as his touch deserted him. Stait took control and went on to take the forth 9-4 and the fifth 9-5.

 

Meanwhile, Miss Caroline Heal, and soon to be Mrs Caroline Chaloner, fought hard against Lexden's Cheryl Beaumont. Old adversary's of their junior days, Caroline will confess to not being back to the same standard, yet! However a gutsy performance come back from 0-2 down to win the third 9-6, and with the score at 7-7 in the forth, things were looking brighter for Broxbourne's lady. However, Beaumont, with cool professionalism, kept her head to take the next two points & the match 3-1.

 

So it was to Rodney Durbach to take on the Lexden captain, Tony Hands. The result of the match could be decided by this rubber. This encounter was full of 'if only'. For instance, if only, Tony had played a few more top level opponents since the end of the first half of the season, he might have had the fine tuning which at crucial moments seemed to elude him. If only, Durbach would slow down a bit so Tony could have a rest! But no, it was not to be. At times, Hands showed some of the brilliant touches that has seen him compete with the Worlds best on his day. He consistently had Durbach scrabbling about the front of the court. But Durbs' was always there! A 3-0 scoreline does not do justice to a very enjoyable match between two accomplished 'gentlemen'.

 

So with the points in Broxbourne's bag, it was left to Mark Chaloner to play David Evans in the dead rubber. Mark has not played for three weeks since competing in the World's, due to a shoulder injury. A valiant effort saw him take the first game, but he was never comfortable twisting. A visit to see a shoulder specialist seems on the cards, as he lost the next three games & the match 3-1.

 

TVS Broxbourne continue to sit at the top of Group B, but a visit in the next round to the revitalised Chichester, who have gone second, means 'another' top of the table clash in store for the spectators. Who will win? Ask top tipster Andy Booth, he knows!

 

TVS Broxbourne  3-2  Tek Sing Lexden
   Mark Chaloner lt David Evans  9-4, 7-9, 7-9, 3-9
   Rodney Durbach bt Tony Hands  9-7, 12-10, 9-5
   Alex Stait bt Raj Nanda  9-4, 4-9, 7-9, 9-5, 9-4
   Danny Meddings bt Chris Smith  9-3, 9-5, 9-2
   Caroline Heal lt Cheryl Beaumont  2-9, 4-9, 9-6, 7-9

 

Group B:
Team                           P W L MW ML  GW GL Pts
Broxbourne              6   5 1   20  10     69  37  30
Chichester                6   5 1   19  11     63  50  29
Lexden                      6   4 2   19  11     63   47  27
Guildford                  6    2 4  10   20    40   72  14
UK Packaging         6   1  5  11  19    48   61  13
Lee-on-Solent          6  1  5   11  19    47  63  13