Ash 2 Match Report – VBCL Opening Weekend 24-25
By ATTC Webmaster on Oct 13, 2024 with Comments 0
Report by Mike Slifkin
The opening weekend of the Veterans British Clubs League took place on Saturday/Sunday 5th/6th October 2024.
Once again, Ashford 2 returned to the Derby Arena having won promotion last year to Division 4.
The team consists of myself (Mike Slifkin), Winston Wong (player captain), John Hope, Danny Buckle and Graham Outrim (non-playing coach).
The format is a new one trialled for the first time this season. Instead of two groups of five, there was one group of ten. We were to play five matches this weekend and four in the new year, playing each other just once.
There were three games on the Saturday and two on the Sunday.
Saturday
We started off playing Foresters E who have improved their team from when we last played them a couple of years ago. I managed to beat their number two – but we lost 5-1. Their number one was especially tricky. We made a match of it though with John and Danny taking some games from them.
Next up were Swerve TTC who won Division 5 last season. Winston and John beat their number three and I managed to get revenge on their number two. A very good result against a team which includes the highly ranked Steve Brunskill. Points on the board.
Lastly, we had to face the much-fancied Ormesby 2, who had already had some good wins under their belt winning 5-1 and 6-0 in the morning. I managed to beat Michael Young 14-12 in the fifth – a very good win for me. Winston beat the extremely awkward Karl Shaw in four, and Danny also beat Michael Young in five sets. So, another draw but a very well earnt one, and a good team effort, including Graham who pitched in with some good advice and well timed “Time Outs”.
So, all that effort for just two points out of a possible six – why do we do it? Well, it is a real challenge and every win is well fought, and so it was off for some light refreshments in the hotel bar.
Sunday
First thing in the morning we had to face Butterfly Lilleshall B, who had won two and lost one on Saturday. It takes a bit of time to get going on a Sunday morning. I was full of flu – so not ideal. Despite that, I won my two matches including beating their number one, Paul Barnett, deuce in the fifth set. John also won against Michael Chang in five sets. Winston was competing but it wasn’t his day. Still, another good draw. Three points on the board in a tough division was a good effort.
Finally, myself, John and Danny had to play Topspin Fusion 2. They would be difficult at the best of times, but we (well me at least) were now running on fumes having played every match. I’ve never played anyone like Martin Smith before. He gets so much spin from his serve, that it’s still on the ball (just from pushing) three shots later! We were lucky to get nothing as they thrashed us 6-0. That said, we did take games from them, but in all honesty, they were too strong for us on the day.
Review
We finished eigth out of ten. In the new year, we have to play Lancashire Hotpots who are seventh, and Chippenham who are bottom, so we have it all to play for to maintain our league status as I believe the bottom two (or possibly four) will be relegated.
It was a very enjoyable weekend and we all look forward to returning to the Derby Arena in February to do our best to stay in the division.
As always, a huge thankyou to Ashford Table Tennis Club for sponsoring us and the two other Ashford teams over the weekend.
Results, Tables & Fixtures etc.
For more info please see the British League website: Britsih League
Filed Under: British Clubs League • News
About the Author: Published by the ATTC Webmaster
