Match: Knutsford 1 Home to Congelton 2

Date: 4th November 2010

What a load of balls you may think? Well balls they certainly weren't, not the round ones we are all used to, more like hot potatoes off the back of some lorry!! Lozenge shaped things bouncing like a rugby ball. However, Knutsford were not to be distracted and on the day before bonfire night Knutsford 1sts were already on fire!
First on court was our very own pocket rocket Mr Burke against the tanned Signori Furmston who received a'firm' pounding. Burkey pounded the ball here, there and everywhere with poor old Furmston stretching, lunging and mis-timing the ball all over the court. Bang 9-7; our man took the first, bang; our man took the second 9-2 and climaxed with a 9-7 finish. Furmston couldn't understand why he was missing all the balls mid-court and questioned what we were playing with. A close inspection revealed the Dunlop Pro balls bearing a similarity to a rugby ball.
Next on was Knutsford's finest import from Yorkshire, the honourable Mr Smith against Mr Alcock, a nicely hirsuit version of Roger Federer. Smithy showed remarkable class against a decent opponent. Deep drives followed by deft drops soon had Alcock losing the first 9-3. The second game was a little tighter and the strain on our Yorkshire lad was starting to get the better of him with a few disputed refereeing decisions not going down to well. The game looked like getting a little confrontational so Smithy decided not play about and took the third game 9-7, running out a seemingly easy winner 9-3 in the third.
With Congleton not having yet won a game, Capitano Risley stepped up to administer some further punishment on the fellas from south Cheshire and this one by the name of Mr Balfour. Coaching from the retired Mr Uttley had started to take effect on Risley and some decent length drives followed by tight drops moved the Congletonian up and down the court to create openings which were taken advantage of. Risley took the first 9-4. Having fallen asleep for the first 4 points of the second Risley decided that was enough points for the opposition and finished him off comfortably without losing another point, 9-4, 9-0 bish bash bosh.
Knutsford now having won 5 games out of 6 for this season and probably having beaton their previous two seasons tally looked like they could make it a full card. Up steps Mr Costello against a lean looking Mr Marlow. Some rare drops from our man soon saw him win the first 9-4. A nice chap that he is, Costello then decided to give a game to the opposition 3-9! After some serious interval coaching by Mr Smith, Costello dug deep to rectify the error and took the next 9-7. At 2-1 up it was looking good but Marlow was fit and recovered incredible deep deep drives. This proved effective and he took the 4th game to set up a showdown in the 5th. Costello stretched, lunged and recovered, moving his 6ft plus frame around the court gracefully to eventually run out the winner 9-5.
Smith the younger stepped on court last to try and make it a full 20 points for Knutsford. The warm up was interesting with Mr Broomhall from Congleton using both hands just as well as each other. This didn't put Smithy off and his usual hard hitting game had him 2-0 up in no time. A lack of concentration saw him lose the next two just as easy and was soon in a 5th game showdown. The clock showed 10.30 and the crowd on the balcony were getting hungry. Tension was high and Smithy capitulated to lose 5-9 in the last. Our only point dropped on the night didn't dampen spirits and Knutsford 1 crushed Congelton 2 by 19 points to 6. Must be close to the top of the table now! Bring on Division 2!
A tough couple weeks ahead with Bollington and AZ on the bounce. Keep fit chaps. Well done.

Scorecard