Back for the first match after Christmas a pretty strong thirds entered the game with high hopes but were disappointing and not quite up to the mark.

First on, fresh from a three week holiday inIndia, Simon Whitaker v Tony Beardwood an interesting contest one might have thought. Whitaker was on form and it showed as he blasted Beardwood out of sight to take the first 9 1. Beardwood tried hard to fight back but the second went to Whitaker 9 4 as he maintained control of the game and forced Beardwood into a series of errors. Whitaker was on top and he was not going to let it go. A brief fight back by Beardwood was not enough and Whitaker again dominated to win 9-5 and first match to Knutsford. A fine display, possibly best of the season from Whitaker who never really looked in trouble.

Next on at 4, playing his first game for the thirds the on form Richard Holmes up against the unorthodox and tricky Mike Sharman. After an even start, the first went to Sharman 9- 5, as Holmes seemed to make a series of mistakes and looked a little edgy with that elusive length leaving the ball mid-court and easy to kill off. A much better display by Holmes in the second paid dividends as he took the game 9-6 to level at 1-1. Alas, it was no to be, Holmes faltered in the third as Sharman took a grip and began to dominate. Holmes was unable to keep up and Sharman took the game 9 - 2 to give him a 2-1 lead. The next game proved elusive to Holmes who just couldn't find that recent form. Leaving the ball mid-court and a series of errors cost him dearly as Sharman romped to a 9-1 finish to take the match

Walton at 1, a big ask up against the fitness and power of Ewan McDonald was always going to be difficult. The first game started evenly, the power of McDonald dominating as he took the first two easily 9-2 and 9-1. Walton who had been struggling then began to play, floating the ball nicely around causing McDonald to make some errors. Walton began to dominate and although tiring stuck in there to take the next game 9-6. Could he pull it back? Alas it was not to be, a brave display was not enough and after an even start, McDonald again began to dominate moving the tiring Walton around with ease to take the game 9-6 and match 3-1. A tough game and a valuable point from Walton.

 Robo was next on at 5, up against the very unorthodox Phil V Hattton. Robo started like a rocket (well maybe not quite) and dominated with ease to take the first 9-1. The second was a little more even as Hatton started to play some of those tricky shots but Robo was uup to it and took the next 9-4. The third was a different ball game. Hatton relied on his accuracy and a series of errors from Robo cost him the game. Both players started the next with determination and it proved to be a battle of attrition dominated one and then the other. At 9-9, Robo won the serve and made it count to take the game and match 3-1. What looked like it was going to be easy ended up as a battle to the finish. A solid display from Robo who did just enough.

At the same time Smithy was up against Neil Howarth in what looked likely to be an evenly matched marathon of immense proportion. Howarth took the first; Smithy took the second and 1-1 it was all to play for. Some long and arduous rallied followed but Howarth began to dominate and although always in it, Smithy just couldn't quite summon up enough strength as he lost the third 9-4. A brief fight back in the fourth was not quite enough as Howarth continued to dominate. Smithy tried but could not recover and went down 9-5 to give the match to Howarth 3-1. A good display from Smithy just not quite enough for the win.

Overall, just not quite good enough maximum points for a loss with nine but the need to be more consistent and learn from mistakes is still there.

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