Thirds at The Dean (Wed, Feb 24,'10)

Here is The Dean account:
With second place under contention, Dean 1, under constant scrutiny from the pundits, were up against it. Grange, the Goliaths of division 3 brought their strongest team of the season. Who better to kick off the proceedings than our very own David. He fought hard for the Dean cause against Patrick, who had beaten Nick reasonably comfortably in the away fixture. Patrick, expecting an easy tie, playing the lowest he's ever played, was thrown left and right with David's constant trickery. He had to dig deep to pip David, 9-6 in the 5th.

While this was happening, James (speaking in the 3rd person), was up against a tricky opponent in Rob Pfab, showing signs of improvement given his poor form this year, he equalised the game at 1-1, taking the second game 10-9. Only to be quickly dispatched 9-1,9-0 by some incredibly clinical finishing in the 3rd and 4th game.

Dean 0 - Grange 2.... its looking like the pundits are going to be right.

On court one steps Craig, against an on form Alastair Gordon, who (normally playing at two) has yet to lose this season. Surely Craig must be up against it here?
On court two, Casey and Pete Cockburn begin to warm up. Pre-season statistics point towards a victory for Pete. But will home advantage play its part?

Craig narrowly loses the first game 9-7, but manages to claw back the second 10-9.
Meanwhile Casey's gameplan (of spank the ball and kill everything) seems to be working, as he heads towards an upset taking the first two games reasonably comfortably 9-7,9-6.

Craig manages to secure the third game to go 2-1 up, taking it 9-7 in another close game. However, Alastair steps it up a gear and levels with a clinical 9-2 win.
Back on court 2, Pete Cockburn turns the game around, dominating the rallies, changing his game plan to keep away from Caseys winners, levelling the tie at 2-2, taking the 3rd and 4th 9-5, 9-7.

This is the time for Heroes.

Casey, reminded by his team mates of how he won the first two games, steps on court reverting back to Plan A (if it aint broke, dont fix it). Slapping the ball around the court, and punishing mistakes from Pete he dominates the rallies, taking any chances he gets on his forehand and backhand. Pete, with a few lucky hits, and some nice length work keeps the tie even. The game heads, agonisingly, towards a close finish. But Casey hits hard to steal the game 9-7.

Back on court 1, all eyes are on Craig, who is in the form of his life, confidently killing the ball at the front of the court. Staying in rallies, with determination that can only Dean spirit can give you, he keeps the tie close, and takes it to 8-8 (having already had a few match points). Alastair clings in there, with a lot of luck, and also a lot of skill. The set is tied at 9-9. With match points left, right and centre. Some of the spectators can hardly look. Hearts in mouths as match point after match point is saved by both opponents. Until finally, with a punishing crosscourt Craig nicks the match 10-9.

2 games all.

Grange have seen it before, but have always come through in the end.

Nick steps onto the show court, against a strong opponent in Tony Gribben. Smelling Grange blood he dominates the first game 9-3. Meanwhile, James heads for a shower, expecting to return somewhere into the end of the second game. Returning, he hears the markers call of, "8-5, match ball".
James pinches himself to check he isnt having a wonderful dream, dashing over to the balcony. Tony manages to save the match point, but Nicks dominance shows as he eventually takes the third game 9-5 to steal the game, the match and the victory for Dean.
Well done everyone! (James Birkhead)
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The Grange account
The Last of the Unbeatables....
..
...
....
..... has gone!

Disaster zone. Patrick Langley beat David Thompson at #3 and Rob Pfab beat James Birkhead at 4. Pete Cockburn lost to Casey Hurren 2-3 at 2 – didn’t see it. Ali G lost 10-9 in the 5th against Craig Wallace. The Nick Wood v Tony Gribben decider went pretty quickly to Nick who was on very good form. Overall 12-17 I think.

No word on food or MoTM - the troops are too shell-shocked. Well done The Dean.
The only consolation is that only 5 points have been chipped off our lead of ~50 points with just 3 matches to go.