Result ORs won 4-3

The match was divided into seven 40 minute matches each played as one long set, first to 8 games.

Patrick Timmis (SH 97-02) came back from a significant game deficit and facing several match points to tie his match at 7-7 and then went on to win the final game. Miranda Coyne (née Meades) (RB 02-07) did more or less the same, pulling back to 7-7 from a seemingly difficult position and winning the match 8-7. Tim Bolton Carter (St 74-78) had an easier time of it, beating his opponent 8-2. Patrick and Miranda paired up for the first Doubles and never looked in much doubt, keeping their early lead to win 8-4. At around this point in the match, the arrival for lunch of Hon. Sec. Oliver Buckley (W 67-71) signalled an abrupt change in OR fortunes. Oliver and Tim got off to a blistering start winning the first two games without losing a point. Then it all started to fall apart. Too many overhit shots flying off the penthouse to be put away by the opposition.

We lost the next 7 games in a row, managed to claw it back to 7-5 but could not keep up the pressure. Edward Hess (SF 76-80) – our Match Manager for the day – had trouble early on in his Singles, ceding a lead to the opposition of 6-1 before pulling back to 7-5.

OR hopes of a repeat of the early comeback matches were eventually dashed, though. Edward and Oliver teamed up for the final Doubles, again ceding a sizeable early lead to the opposition, pulled back a couple of games in the late going but lost 8-5. Very much a “game of two halves” overall but still a win for the ORs when the dust settled.

Oliver Buckley
Hon Sec