Post by arf on Nov 9, 2008 16:40:57 GMT
Middlesex lose 7 - 9!
On paper this should have been a close encounter as both sides were evenly matched. Consequently it was realistic to think that Middlesex could go on to achieve a positive result; if so they would be sitting top of the SCCU and looking good to qualify for the ECF stage even at this early juncture. However what is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men?
The match did not get off to the greatest start as with 1 hour to go before kick-off I discover one of our players has car trouble. Frantic ringing around to try and organise alternative lifts / travel arrangements mean I leave it to the 'Gods' to see if either driver or passenger are going to be able to get to the match in time.
After an hour and even though the Kent players concerned were willing to play if late arrival I acknowledge the defaults and in golf parlance Middlesex are, '2 down with 14 to play'. Without wishing to be judgemental it was unfortunate that in their being unable to get to the match it transpires that this is the margin Middlesex go on to lose by! Oh well, these things happen.....
How did the match unfold? Despite being 0 -2 down the thing I have admired about the team is the fighting qualities they display when faced with adversity. Rather than seeing the deficit as a handicap it was seen as a challenge to be met head on. The fight and the challenge was certainly met when Simon makes the score 1 -2 after securing a quick win against Mark Rich. This quick win made the match more interesting than it could have been and definitely gave us something to fight for. The sole question now was: Could we level the match? Of course the notion of winning is always in the background but our priority was to achieve a draw. The scene was now set - Can Kent defend the slender lead handed to them on a plate? Or will Middlesex pull level?
The "win" that Middlesex needed to achieve parity proved elusive as every time it seemed we were going to obtain it Kent were able to edge ahead and restore their 2 point lead. The chances of securing a draw became even more remote when after 10 games played we trailed 3.5-6.5. In trying to maintain an undefeated start to the season a number of players over-pressed and surrendered advantageous positions - yes your author being one of them!
I know the above all seems doom and gloom but there were some positives:
The most obvious being is if it were a 14 board match we drew 7-7!
Simon's quick win.
Dave Moskovic maintained his 100% record with what seemed to be a convincing game against Neil McDonald - for match details see link below.
Rick demonstrated excellent endgame technique to eke out a win against Tony Stebbings.
Although they had mixed results, Paul, Alistair, George and Andrew all participated in sharp games.
Where does this leave us? We are pretty much were we would expect to be. Having played both of the heavyweights at the beginning of the season it would be reasonable to expect to be on 0/2. However the fact that we drew against Surrey means we are actually slightly ahead of schedule. Again on paper we ought to have an easier run-in as we face the 'relative' weaker SCCU Counties starting with Sussex in the New Year. We also have the added advantage of having two home games out of the remaining three.
Team details available on www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match1.htm
Moskovic v McDonald - tinyurl.com/65n3xu