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Solent Classic
Results from Tim Vail |
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Semi Finals
First up tonight Andy Whipp v. Scott Handley with Andy
sporting another outfit from his Winter collection! Unfortunately Scott had
to pull out with a sore glute. What a shame!
And to the last match of the day! All the WAGS had
turned out for this encounter between the top two players at Lee – this
should be an enthralling match! Anthony, having not been tested in his
quarter final i, but Tim , being luved more at Lee ( Ant’s words) as he
seemed to settle down first. But Ant’s backhand drive seems to be doing some
dangerous damage as he takes the first game 11/8. Anthony’s athleticism
really shows with some wonderful retrieving but Tim calls on experience to
bring some air between pick-ups. Ant’s backhand boasts to a low level at
one game all.
A contentious third game - maybe Tim playing a coach/
pupil card, saw Tim take a 2-1 lead.
A more focused Anthony arrived at the party at the
beginning of the 4th and took an 8/5 lead, and good tight
attacking play took the match to a decider.
A great opening rally set the mood for the next game.
Tim was now in a playing mode, played shots from all over the court together
with changing pace to give himself some time. A missed volley drop from Ant
gave Tim match ball, only then to give away a stroke. Tim then took the
match with a great back hand drop which Ant unsuccessfully dived for. A
great match!
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Anthony Graham v David Allam
Starting
again from where he left off earlier, moving around and hitting with
ease, he took the first 11/6 with some errors from David. Ant hit third
gear, and with some gifts from David, Ant took the 2nd game
11/2. Frustration crept into David’s game and ,boy, does he have to work
hard to stay in the match, but to no avail as Anthony took the game to
win the match 3-0.
Next on was Tim Vail v. Phil Bull:
The
effect of running a good tournament were still with Tim early doors of
the match with Phil making Timmee move forward keeping the scores level
until Tim drew away to 11/9. Phil stayed focused and took the second
game . The third game was one way traffic with Tim winning 11/1. The
fourth game was heavily contested, but Tim got into 6th gear
and drew away to victory - 11/6 –and another home quarter final .
Holland v Birks
On the next court is number 1 under 19 player Ollie Holland against
Richard Birks - he’s still not looking ruffled - maybe that’s the
effect of Richard’s lunchtime game twinned with Rich not bringing his
short game with him. Ollie played strong and solid throughout the
match and managed to stay on top taking the match 3-1.
Harris v Abdullah
The final game is between Mike Harris (Ex Millfield) and Youssef
Abdullah, the flamboyant player out of the East End with a great hairdo.
First and second games went to Michael who used his experience from
tournaments and PSL to take the lead. Yossef – less experienced- made
some errors – but don’t stop playing without fear (Ramy’s done okay ?)
Only for Youssef to force errors from Mike and stay in the match winning
the third. The fourth - Youssef’s string broke to give a little
momentum back to Mike who levelled he score to 6 all. A great backhand
volley from Mike and two tins from Youssef - a backhand kill gave Mike
match ball which is given to him.Talented boy –Youssef and well played
Mike.
Graham v Holland
The next two quarters is number 2 , Lee’s Anthony Graham v England’s
number one u19 Ollie Holland both playing looking to ask questions of
each other.
While
next door Lee’s very own Tim Vail v Mike Harris his Exeter team-mate.
Anthony
starts really well keeping Ollie behind him and forcing the errors and
keeps him forcing the errors and keeps him in front to a 11-8 first
game.
Ollie
again lets Anthony get away from him with some punishing play and
eventually Ollie is forced to concede leaving Anthony to march forward
relatively fresh into a semi-final against the winner of court 6 in
which Tim has a 2 nil lead.
The
third starts with Tim holding the ball well, making Michael stop and
start but Mike begins to read Tim’s moves and takes the 3rd,
maybe getting Tim into his area made in “Millfield” hard hitting and
patient length which seems to work until all but two strokes sees Tim
move forward to semi-final against his pupil Anthony. Hopefully Tim
will recover enough after this fairly hard encounter.
Quarter-Finals
Good
Morning Lee-on-Solent! Graded Tournament players loitering with intent
and exhaustion.
Today’s
¼ finals look intriguing. First up 3/4th seed Scott Handley v
Charlie Johnson on Court 6 and number 1 seed Andy Whipp v James Simpson.
Scott
early into Charlie’s engine with great drop and boasts put together with
searching drives, first game 11-3.
While on
the other court James seems to be staying with Andy being patient in the
vallies and creeping into an 8-4 lead, eventually taking the game 11-6.
Back on
Court 6, Charlie really comes to the “party” prepared to go and get
Scott’s short game and only loses 11-8.
Scott
begins the 3rd on the attack, playing fluidly which took him
to world status running out the match 11-6.
Maybe
jetlag from Manchester was in Andy’s legs because he raced away with the
next two games to set up a semi-final against Scott (mouthwatering!).
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