Close Finish in Over 40's Final

Mike Slack took the honours in a topsy turvy match with Ian Gordon on Friday night, coming out 3-2 winner.

Mike made a lively start in the first set being quick to the ball and playing good length to close it out 15-11. Ian then began to get his eye in and started to take Mike's serves early with some nice drives down both walls. He began to dominate the centre of the court putting Mike on the defensive. After the loss of the second 15-9 Mike seemed to tense up and lost a quick run of points to lose the 3rd by the same margin. Mike's busier game was not working and it looked as if he might lose in 4.

The start of the fourth set saw Ian off again to a flier. This time however, Mike managed to pull a couple of points back and then began to tighten up his serve on both forehand and backhand. With Ian tiring and not able to pick up easy points, Mike came through the fourth 15 -11.

With the competitions secretary satisfied that another handicap final was going to a decider, the fifth set opened with Mike again in the ascendancy. He kept Ian moving but with the finish line in sight, both competitors became even more edgy to take the set to 11 all. Mike dug deep to get his nose in front finally taking the set to win the match 15-12.

Mike wins his first Grange trophy and a Titan bag from our sponsors as the spoils of victory, with Ian being consoled with with a bottle of red from the competition secretary's fine cellar.

{Report: Peter Young (Competitions Secretary)}