Post by arf on Oct 24, 2011 8:11:07 GMT
We're Back!
The County Controller seems to have a penchant for Open/u180 double-headers especially when it comes to Mx v Surrey! Another cycle another double-header! However with the Open team being unfortunate to lose a close encounter 7.5-8.5, the u180 team had an easier time of it securing a comfortable 9.5-6.5 win.
A quick draw followed by a default win see Mx establish a lead which they never relinquished. 3 wins out of the next 4 games by Ti, debutant Ananth and Charlie extends the lead to 4 points and all but put Surrey out of contention in the match. Mx lead 5.5-1.5. Previous experience though said never to underestimate Surrey as they had overturned greater deficits!
The history books show that the last home u175 match saw Mx play Surrey at Middlesex Street. On that occasion Surrey had to secure a win in order to deny Mx a place in the ECF Stage. For some reason Surrey never pushed in fact they never even won a game eventually losing 10.5-5.5 (+5 =11). Back to the present and with 9 games played and a healthy 6.5-2.5 lead in place the hopes of repeating that feat were dashed when debutant Alex got the worse of a tactical game. This seemed to be the fillip Surrey needed as they record another win and cut their deficit in half. Was yet another Surrey revival on the cards? (Score Mx lead 6.5-4.5)
Maria's win stretched the lead once again and with 4 games left a minor miracle would be needed by Surrey to obtain the win. Steve's draw mean Mx reach the magic score of 8 they cannot now lose the match and the draw by final debutant John ensures Mx cross the winning line. First win of the season secured! Mx lead 8.5-5.5
Unlike previous seasons Game Points now have a higher priority, so with 2 games remaining it was imperative Mx squeeze out as much as they could. Honours were shared as the teams achieve 1 win each. Mx win 9.5-6.5.
Well done team!
Full match details:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match2.htm
Games of interest:
tinyurl.com/Y-Tello-T-Chen
tinyurl.com/A-Balaji-B-Franklin
tinyurl.com/A-Lewis-G-Marchant
tinyurl.com/A-Punnett-M-Yurenok
The result is encouraging for so many reasons primarily because the team fielded was the strongest since the defunct u175 competition enforced by the grading uplift. The 2008-09 season see Mx establish themselves as heavyweight contenders losing a close semi-final to Yorkshire. Unfortunately due to the imposed grading change Mx ended up in the doldrums culminating with a winless season in 2009-10. It was said at the time it could not be understood how and why the grading change severely impacted Mx unlike the other SCCU Counties especially Essex, Kent and Surrey. It was also stated that it would take approximately 3years for Mx to return to the strength of 2007-08. In the words of the film Gremlins 'We're Back!'
The first round also pitted Kent against Essex. Essex took an extremely strong team to Dartford (Kent average 161 Essex Average 168) but lost a close match 7.5-8.5.
Table after Round 1
Mx 1/1 (9.5)
Kent 1/1 (8.5)
Essex 0/1 (7.5)
Surrey 0/1 (6.5)
Sussex 0/0 (0)
Fixtures for Round 2 on 19/11/11
Sussex v Mx
Surrey v Kent
A win against Sussex pretty much guarantees the 3rd place berth and the Preliminary place in the ECF Stage. Needless to say let's concentrate on taking each match as they come and let the ECF Qualifying place take care of itself.
Go on the Middlesex!!