First Mixed travelled to local rivals Mapperley Park looking to bounce back from their 5-4 defeat to Byron, and in a close match they did just that!
With an unchanged team Jess M & Adam once again did the business. Starting well they took 2 rubbers in quick succession, looking comfortable in doing so. Then came their biggest test, Mapperley’s in form third and strongest pair (Craig Day & Louisa Spooner). Having to adapt to the excellent attacking game from the opposition proved difficult, as they dropped the first game 18-21. Once up to speed they started to take control of the rallies more and more, edging the second game 21-19. They then continued their resurgence with an assured performance in the third; frustrating their opponents with their reading of the game they took the third game 21-16 to seal the rubber. As with Byron Jess M & Adam delivered to take the rubber against their strongest opponents, super stuff!
David and Kim had a better night performance wise, obviously more settled than against Byron. Unfortunately they didn’t quite get that elusive rubber, despite going so close to beating Mapperley’s second pair (they even had match point in an agonising 21-23 loss in the second game). Plenty of positives to take from their performance, add some consistency to their strong spells during games and a rubber will surely yield.
Looking to build on their fine performance against Byron John & Jess C’s evening got off to a tough start; facing Mapperley’s strongest pair first they lost the rubber in two. Not letting their heads drop they then proceeded to take a hard fought rubber against Mapperley’s first pair, coming from a game down to win 21-23, 21-15, 21-16.
They then walked on court against Mapperley’s second pair knowing that they were playing the deciding rubber. Well, pressure? What pressure?! John & Jess C put in an assured performance, edging the vital points to take the first game 21-18. In the second the score bounced back and forth, however they took the initiative to build a small lead and to bring up several match points, each one saved by the unrelenting Mapperley duo. The pairs then swapped game points as the tension built and built, before finally John & Jess C emerged victorious, winning 28-26 to take the rubber and the match!
A cracking win with three regulars out, this was one to savour! Up next is Mansfield Oaktree at home on the 21st February, here’s hoping the good form continues.