RLTC MENS 1s vs DORKING 2s

Match report: 13 May 2018

Thanks to Frank, Jens, Patrice and Iain who took on Dorking on a glorious day down at RLTC.  Special thanks to Patrice from Team 2 for filling in at short notice for one of our number who was storming through the Sutton Singles Tournament.  The team battled hard but fell to a strong opposition 1-3.  

R1 v D1: Frank and Jens started slowly but pushed opponents hard in the second set, twice serving for the set but could not close it out and were drawn into a tie-break shoot-out (Lost 6-2; 7-6).  R1 v D2: The Dorking 2s were in many ways a tougher doubles proposition with strong serves and good doubles strategy.  Frank and Jens struggled to find the right combinations in the first set but shifted tactics and their receiving set-up in the second set and found more success to take the rubber to a Championship tie break where they carried the momentum through to secure a morale boosting point for the team.  

R2D2: One for the Star Wars fans, Iain and Patrice started well, but unforced errors proved costly as the first set raced away.  In the second breaks were traded but this doughty Richmond pair could not capitalise.  (Lost 6-2; 6-4).  R2 v D1:  A little short of confidence, Iain and Patrice let the opposition steal the first set, but put in a more competitive 2nd set which, although not enough to hold off a buoyant Dorking pair, included a number of morale boosting winners as the quality of play markedly increased. (Lost 6-1; 6-4)

Objective view would call it a fair result against an opposition that were in control of their games and played to their strengths.  Of course, I’m not objective and see it as the one that got away!   

Notables: a match with extremes: 

-  Serving stats from opposite ends: one player carrying a clean sheet of 0 double faults through the match; one player carrying a full house of double faults through a game ;-).  

-  Passion on both ends of the spectrum from ice cold and raging hot. 

-  Regular issue for us mercurial RLTC players: some of the most sublime passing shots, angled volleys, and text book worked points - and at the same time a few too many horror misses... more time on the ball machine needed! 

-  We were lucky to enjoy a fabulous team tea on one of the busiest days at RLTC!

Thanks all - bring on round 2!