Match Reports 2019

05/07/19

GC B-Level League - Enfield 18-2 Northampton

Enfield: Peter Brock (3), Brian Dawes (3), Dave Hill (4), Thomas Halliday (5)

Northampton: Richard Cain (4), Glynis Davies (6), Ann Udall (6), Marilyn Robinson (7)

Enfield's winning run in the B Level is now well into its second season and this match against newcomers Northampton proved to be their most comfortable win to date. A debut at B Level for Thomas opened with two wins in the doubles whilst partnering Peter. Meanwhile, Dave and Brian also comfortably won both their doubles matches by 7-2 to give Enfield an emphatic 4-0 lead after the opening two rounds.

So it continued in rounds 3 and 4 where the singles were also all won by the home team to provide a commanding lead of 8-0 at lunch, where ice-lollies were provided to help cool the teams on a very warm day, and 12-0 shortly afterwards.

Both Peter and Dave completed the afternoon with clean sweeps, winning all four of their singles matches, while Brian and Thomas managed three singles wins each, with both of their losing games going to the final hoop. An emphatic 18-2 victory for Enfield with a very commanding hoops tally of 138-76.

Report by Brian Dawes

20/05/19

GC B-Level League - Enfield 13-7 Newport Harriers

Enfield: Peter Brock (3), Dave Hill (3), David Barnicoat (4), Andrew Fall (4)

Newport Harriers: Colin Carr (5), Roy Darling (5), Timothy Ham (7), John Richardson (8)

Enfield's B-Level team extended their winning streak with a fine home victory over the previously unbeaten Newport Harriers. Spring seemingly finally arrived for real on a sporadically sunny day in Bush Hill Park where the two opening rounds of doubles were both shared 1-1. Prompt play from all players during the third round resulted in a relatively early lunch following three wins for Enfield, for a 5-3 lead halfway through the day.

The fourth and fifth rounds saw Enfield further extend their lead with two more 3-1 wins, giving an overall 11-5 lead, securing the match win with one round to spare. Another fine team victory with all Enfield players contributing, but a special mention for player of the match David Barnicoat who completed his fourth singles victory in the final round, the only player on either side with a 100% record on the day. Strong performances also came from Enfield's Peter Brock and Colin Carr of the Harriers with three singles wins each.

As a result of this win, Enfield are alone and unbeaten on top of the Central and West Division.

Report by Brian Dawes

13/05/19

GC B-Level League - Wrest Park 4-16 Enfield

Wrest Park: Richard Keighley (3), Rob Chatwin (3), Richard Skidmore (6), Chris Harrison (6)

Enfield: Peter Brock (3), Brian Dawes (3), Dave Hill (3), Andrew Fall (5)

It was sunny with blue skies but there is often a cold wind at Wrest Park and today was no exception. Despite the wind burn, Enfield stormed the doubles by winning all four matches in the first two rounds 4-7, 6-7, 2-7, and 0-7.

The third and fourth rounds also went very much Enfield's way with Andrew and Dave winning two each while Peter and Brian both managed one apiece, so there was a massive 10-2 lead after just four rounds, with just eight games remaining. This meant that there was just one win required from the last eight games and with Brian and Andrew both winning in round 5, the match was done and dusted. That is not to say that Enfield eased up, because they also took all four games in the final round.

Four wins for Peter, five each for Dave and Brian, and six for player of the match Andrew who also reduced his handicap. Quite a good away day for our B-Level team, who remain unbeaten.
 

Report by Brian Dawes

29/04/19

GC B-Level League - Enfield 11-9 Leighton-Linslade

Enfield: Henry Hobbs (3), Peter Brock (4), David Barnicoat (4), Andrew Fall (5). Brian Dawes (3) was a substitute for Henry in rounds 5 and 6.

Leighton: Roger Stroud (3), David Ball (4), John Cundell (4), Jean Ball (5)

Enfield ground out a narrow victory against the Leighton-Linslade B-Level GC team on a grey, very cool day in Bush Hill Park - a day that saw no rain but also only very minimal sunshine.

Leighton made a good start winning 3 of the 4 doubles matches which comprised the first two rounds. Peter and David were the sole Enfield winners after 4 matches.

In round 3, Henry lost to Roger 6-7, Peter beat David Ball 7-2, David beat John 7-2, and Andrew lost to Jean 4-7. So 2 matches each and Leighton retained the lead 3-5 at the lunch break. It was too nippy for a long, relaxed, leisurely lunch, so the courts were soon back in action in more ways than one as the odd hop, skip, and jump continued to make play a little unpredictable.

The 4th round was another that saw 2 wins apiece with Andrew beating John 7-5, David losing to Jean 4-7, Peter beating Roger 7-4, and Henry, whose back failed him during the game with David Ball, going down 1-7. Fortunately, substitutes had been agreed prior to the game and so Brian Dawes replaced Henry in the final two rounds, as the match stood at 5-7 to Leighton.

Round 5 saw Enfield level the scores at 8-8 following wins for Peter 7-2 vs Jean, Brian 7-3 vs John, and Andrew 7-1 vs David Ball, while David Barnicoat lost to Roger 5-7. So everything to play for in the sixth and final round where David Ball won the battle of the Davids for Leighton. Brian eventually overcame Jean's fine clerance shots 7-4, Andrew won on the golden hoop against Roger following a really cagey 12th hoop, and Peter won his game on the 12th hoop against John.

A fine day's play was seemingly enjoyed by all except when the balls jumped unintentionally. And so it was that Enfield continued their B-Level winning streak.

Report by Brian Dawes