Taverham D away

Wednesday 20th August

City League Division 4

Taverham D away

On a miserable evening, we made the long trip to Taverham, where I have a bad record. We were almost safe, but needed a draw to be certain of safety. Taverham had had a wretched season, losing every game with some heavy defeats.

Any hopes of an easy win we soon squashed as we saw the experienced ex North Walsham pair Steve and Duggie arrive. Things were not going to be easy.

I was looking for an improved performance after last week’s poor showing. I served well as Mary and I faced our old foes. We had chances but our opponents clung on desperately. We lost 7 of the first 8 games in a frustrating start. We had chances in every game but were always pegged back by good defending. We had to do better and started a fight back. We halved the next 8 games finishing 5-11 down.

Next door Nick and Peter faced the two youngsters and were soon in control racing into a 7-2 lead. The hosts hit back and won 4 valuable games. We trailed by 2 at the midpoint, Taverham could sense their first points of the season.

Mary and I made a flying start racing into a 3-0, but the home side held for 3-1. We were flying now but were struggling to break the 2nd servers serve. Going into the last four games we lead 9-3. I dropped my serve, but we broke back, Mary then lost hers. Finally we broke the last service game for a 11-5 win, we had halved.

Nick and had an early early lead and hung on tenaciously. But the host were too determined and levelled the rubber. Going into the last 4 game we were level, but out pair kept their noses in front. We lead 8-7 and long service game followed but the host prevailed. We had drawn 8-8

So we scraped home 34-30, a tough match but a rewarding win. We are assured of at least 4th place. A win could see us finish 3rd, but we face a daunting trip to Wymondham, possibly the strongest team we have faced so far.