Match:  Knutsford 3 Home to Radbroke Hall 1

Date:  29th of September 2011

THIRDS STUMBLE IN OPENER AFTER A PROMISING START

The first game of the season proved a tester for the newly promoted thirds.

First on wasPickeringv Sharman. The first game was evenly matched withPickeringdoing most of the running. That said, after a slow start he got his eye in, took control of the game and came back from 1 down to chalk up his first win of the season. 3-1. A gritty performance and well deserved win from Pickering who played some steady and accurate squash to outflank his opponent.

Next on was JACKO who found himself up against a difficult opponent in Loom. The awkward Loom took control of the T from the outset stretching Jacko and making him run around the four corners court. To his credit, Jacko fought back well to level at 7 ALL, but Loom proved too strong an opponent and won the first game 9-7. From then on Loom piled on the pressure and whilst Jacko never gave up he came out second best and eventually went down 3-0.

Next up at 3 was Robinson v Howarth.  Robinson started well quickly grabbing a 6 point lead but Howarth soon got his eye in and fought back well to take the first 10-8.The next game was another marathon  with athletic Howarth making some great recoveries and he took the next  game 9-6 with Robinson making some silly and costly errors. Robinson fought back to take the third 9-1 but ran out of legs half way through the fourth and lost the tie 3-1. Errors cost the game.

Cashmore came in at 2 to face the athletic Beardwood , clearly lacking match fitness but ready to give it his best shot. The game started well and the two looked evenly matched but a series of unforced errors cast Cashmore the first game. The second and third followed the same pattern with some long and challenging rallies but Cashmore continued to make errors losing a series of important points. A difficult first game against a strong and athletic opponent.

Last on at 1 was Smith v McDonald. Mc Donald piled on the pressure from the beginning taking the first 9-5, putting Smith under constant pressure. The first game took a lot out of Smith who never really recovered losing the next two games to love.  What a  difference moving up one division can make.

Overall a gritty Knutsford  performance, against a strong Radbroke Hall team gaining a valuable four points. Early days yet with plenty of room for improvement.

For the Match Scores Click Here