First team match report
Acton - March 2006
Overall
The fight for 1st place is still on after the Coolhurst lads secured a 3-2 victory. According to Captain McGill nothing but a 5-0 is good enough next Tuesday. This was decent display despite last minute changes in team line up following a convenient 24-hour bug for Baldrick Gourlay but thankfully the 1st team regulars secured the points. Not the nicest of clubs in Middlesex league but the courts were decent and the tucker was very good.
Nick Buckley
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Seems to be back in form, though it was over so quickly no one saw it.
Minus's: None
Verdict: Demolished poor Will for a handful of points, keeping up the pace and dominating the middle of the court. The rigorous training regime adopted by the youngster is certainly playing off. Much improved form is inevitably leading to a selection headache for the captain next week.
Rating: 4/5
Ally McGill
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Concentration, sharpness, quality of length. Has now dropped 11 points in the last 3 matches.
Minus's: None - wasn't challenged enough to make any errors.
Verdict: This is 'Carl the Hacker's' 3rd outing against the Coolhurst boys and has only given one of us any trouble and certainly wasn't young McGill. A slightly tubby looking Carl was dispatched back the dressing room and off home with only 4 points to his name before Nick B hadn't finished warming up. Another impressive display from Captain McGill who surely has one hand on the Stats trophy for % points won and % games won.
Rating: 4/5
Ali Murphy
Result: Lost2-3
Plus's: Kept in the battle, played well in the 3rd and 4th.
Minus's: Shot selection, fitness, concentration, played really awful in the 1st and 2nd.
Verdict: This was better display from Murphy but the Acton no 4 was no mug and was quick around court displaying so very nice drops and lobs. This constant change of pace unsettled Murphy forcing into countless unforced errors as his concentration waned. Credit is due as Murphy kept fighting till the end.
Rating: 2/5
Neil McLewee
Result: Lost1-3
Plus's: Stepped in, still has the shots when he wants to.
Minus's: Loose shots, drinking cider!!
Verdict: Stepping in at the last minute fat Neil displayed a sharpness out of the blocks that this author was privileged to witness. Unfortunately that was the highlight for Neil who lost the next 3 games pretty easily. Still hits a nice ball but there were far too many loose shots which is very unusual for the big man.
Rating: 3/5
Damian Smith
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Movement (!), finishing power, flair (?).
Minus's: Lapses in concentration almost cost the 2nd and 3rd.
Verdict: Another good performance by the big man when the chips were down, finished the match clinically bringing the points home to crouch end.
Rating: 4/5