Back with a bang
and to see how one certainty and one possibility got on we called in at Argyle where their H team hosted Princes St F.
Liam Ward returned for the hosts to bolster what looked like their strongest four, whilst the visitors had Dave Mullan in at one and introduced Harry Hobson for his first match.
Doubles were call first and which gave the home side a great start, Lee Hesketh and Ollie Moir overcoming Dave Williams and young Sam Davies in three straight, after which Liam and Jeff Hesketh did a repeat performance on Dave Mullan and Harry to make it 2-0.
Dave then chose to stay put to face Lee, and from the start that looked to be the right decision as he reduced the arrears with another three straight win. Considering both sides’ league positions, three straight was surprisingly looking to be the order of the night as first Ollie and then Harry followed the trend with wins over Sam and Jeff respectively which made the score 3-2 Argyle.
Liam continued the race to finish in record time making it 4-2, Dave Williams on the receiving end.
Jeff against Sam was up next and although it again went just to the three games, Sam put in a great shift to push Jeff all the way.
A close first was edged 11-9 by the home player, Sam’s topspin attack nearly paying off.
A little more comfortable for Jeff in the second, as his heavy slice backhand proved to be to troublesome for Sam to handle. Close again in the third 11-9 to Jeff which made the match at least safe at 5-2. His son, Lee then secured the win by overcoming debutant Harry before Ollie made it 7-2 beating a stubborn Dave Williams.
Nine contests, all decided in three, would the number ones Liam and Dave Mullan comply? Well simply, no!
What a contest we had to round off a very entertaining evening.
From the start, this one turned it up a few notches, with Liam’s loop attack against Dave’s formidable defence.
Irresistible play from both players who shared the first two games 11-8,11-9, same again for the next two, but with even more intensity, 11-5, 7-11.
Last word though to Liam who did well to keep a lid on those big hits, opting for the more effective positional heavy loop, 11-5 to him and a final score of 8-2 Argyle H.
That win concludes the first half of the season for the H team, and with 79pts, they currently lead Argyle F by 20pts, who just got the better of Southport D, winning 6-4.
Princes St F are third, back on 52pts, a point ahead of North Meols who are now fourth, after a stirring 3-7 victory at the Para’s.
Finally, Southport C and Crosby H could not be separated, whilst Crosby G were pipped 4-6 by Argyle J.
It’s Gunson Cup week next, so all fingers are crossed that the new handicapping system serves up a treat.
All information can be found at www.tabletennis365.com/ southport