DERBYDEFEAT LEAVES THIRDS HOVERING ABOVE RELEGATION ZONE

This much awaited second half derby saw Knutsford thirds and seconds meet for what was to be a friendly but mainly one sided encounter with No 1 Smithy and new man Tony Hindley both coming close to upsetting the applecart.

Gwyn Pickering once again elevated to the thirds gave his all in a gutsy performance against the stylish Whitaker to set the ball rolling. The first game went easily to Whitaker 1-9 asPickeringstruggled to get into a rhythm but the second was a different ball game. From the startPickeringmatched Whitakers dropping and driving, forcing errors along the way and at times dominating. As the game two and frowed both players failed to take their chances and at 9 - 9, it was there for the taking. AlasPickering's efforts were not quite enough as Whitaker edged the game 10-9 to take a 2-0 lead. By the third Whitaker had tightened up and came out fighting.Pickeringfollowing his valiant efforts in the last game was taken by surprise and unable to respond. Before he knew it, match point game over, and 1-0 to the seconds. Good effort Gwyn but the second game took its toll.

Snapey at two was always going to have a tough one against the hard hitting Perry Russell. Snapey started like a rocket, surprising Russell, dropping driving and hitting a series of winners to quickly take the first 9-1. A promising start from Snapey however it was not to last, as Russell found his rhythm getting into his stride driving and volleying hard, causing Snapey a few problems. Snapey 's efforts were not quite enough as Russell took the second 9-6. By the third, Russell was dominating play with Snapey on the back foot. It was clear the last two games had taken their toll as Russell marched on to take the next two games in quick succession and chalk up another win for the seconds. Valiant effort Snapey and a valuable point gained.

Robo short of match play and up against the athletic Greg Marshall was always going to find it hard. The first game started evenly enough, but a series of errors from Robo and a marked sluggishness round court took their toll as he went down 9-3. A brief fight back in the second was to no avail and Robo struggling with the pace and fitness again went down 9-5. A final effort in the third was not quite enough asMarshalldominated and took the game 9-6 and with it the match 3-0.

Not quite up to the mark tonight Robo.

The stylish Tony Hindley, making his debut for the thirds was up against that tough old cookie, John Evans whose welcome return would have been more welcome had he been playing for the thirds.  A great start from Tony who giving his all soon had Evo on the back foot and struggling to cope with his speed and accuracy. Tony took the first 9-3 followed by the second 9-6 and looked completely in control however the effort had taken its toll on Hindley's fitness and a five stter was the last thing on his mind. Could he last out? Evo never one to give up began to claw his way back into the game and as the efforts of the first two began to show on Tony, Evo began his comeback taking the next two 0-4 and 9-1. By this time, Hindley had given his all but Evo with the bit between his teeth was not to be beaten and took the fifth 9-1. Great effort and hats off to Tony and two very valuable points for the thirds.

 A man of the match performance from Dave Smith almost caused the upset of the night against the hard hitting accuracy of Streff. No surprises in the first, Smithy arriving late from Brussels? struggled to get in to the groove and found himself on the wrong end of a 9-0 thrashing. The second was a different ball game as Smithy got into his stride and began to dominate the T, driving hard and low and into the back corners. Streff taken by surprise was struggling to cope and as Smithy piled on the pressure Streff was unable to 

match as Smithy took the second 9-6. The third was much the same as Smithy continued to dominate forcing error after error as he took the game 9-5 and with it a 2-1 lead. Alas, the effort of the last two games took its toll as Streff came out on all four cylinders playing some of the best squash of the night to finish off the game 9-1 with the efforts of the last two telling on Smithy. Again two valuable points and performance of the night from Smithy, his best of the year.

 A defeat for the thirds by seconds, but five valuable points gained with the thirds now relying on strong availability to the end to avoid that unwanted relegation battle.

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