First team match report
Southgate - March 2006
Overall
An excellent 4 -1 win for Coolhurst fielding possibly the strongest side yet!!!!. More victories of this type are needed if we are to overtake the boys at the top. The best efforts of captain McGill ensured the venue was booked, courts were warmish and playable and lovely food and drink provided.
Neil Rossin
Result: Lost 1-3
Plus's: Retrieving, doggedness, quality of length.
Minus's: Shot selection let him down in crucial points.
Verdict: Good performance on a tricky court against the mercurial Waters. Unfortunate not to grind out a victory, think the best player won in the end, but not without a stern fight. Needs to work on moving his opponent from front to back and on dominating the T. The future looks bright for the Rossa.
Rating: 4/5
Peter Baird
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Wasn't intimidated by Cowleys play, great retrieves.
Minus's: Should have wrapped it up in 3, concentration an issue.
Verdict: Playing an opponent who makes both playing and watching an unenjoyable experience Baird kept to his game and always had the measure on Cowley but lack of concentration at key times almost cost him. Baird fell foul to some indifferent marking which was partially due to the marker freezing his balls off and not wishing a repeat of the argument he had in the 1st game after 6 pts where the marker dared to say 'No let' to Cowley which prompted a tantrum and Cowley not giving the ball to Baird until he had got his way. Unfortunately for Baird the marker relented opting for harmony over fairness to Baird and had therefore set a precedent for the some dubious ask's by Cowley. So my apologies to Baird (shell dock myself points).
Rating: 4.5/5
Nick Buckley
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Didn't lose the match after leading 2-0, tense moment for the Coolhurst faithfull.
Minus's: Lazy, should have won without dropping a point.
Verdict: After Nick's previous poor performances he was quite relieved to get a result showing glimpses of what he his capable of. Sterner tests are needed for Nick to get him back to his former self who needs to work on fitness and ticker issues.
Rating: 3/5
Richard Gourlay
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: None
Minus's: Nearly screwed up the 3rd game.
Verdict: Playing another of Southgates more cheerful members, this was never going to be a pretty game. Gourlay, sporting a freshly bronzed temple, breezed through the first two games and must of thought that his tactic of dropping himself to 5 using the excuse that he's been on holiday and hasn't played for 2.5 weeks would pay dividends and boost his stats. However, in the 3rd Gourlays ticker went and he surrendered a healthy lead eventually winning 10-9.
Rating: 2.5/5
Damian Smith
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Some nice drops.
Minus's: Dodgy drives especially on backhand, v slow.
Verdict: Not a great game but Smith efficiently dispatched his opponent after a tricky opening game. Playing on a freezing court and no drinks to be found his opponent totally lost the will to play and effectively rolled over in the 2nd & 3rd game.
Rating: 2/5 (lost points for marking).