Thirds home v The Dean Club II's

• • Grange 3's slay neighbours Dean 2
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  Thursday 4th Feb saw the visit of Dean's 2nd team to The Grange.  With a mid-table position, Grange 3's are in need of points and it started off in promising fashion with Allan Wallace vs. Duncan Cleat.  A fit and spirited Duncan gave Wallace some concern but the Grange Man managed to close out safely in 3 matches.  Had it gone into more games, Wallace may have struggled - exploits at last weekend's Edinburgh Open taking its toll on those little legs!  A fairly standard match (easy to mark from my perspective), it was made all the more interesting in the latter stages with Christy joining the spectators upstairs, making himself heard and providing much needed support.

  
  

  At 5th string, Ian Ross cruised to victory in straight games.  New to Grange in this 15/16 season, Ian's an East of Scotland veteran and a valuable asset for the 3rd team.  At 3rd string, Moff had a wobbly start but again, managed to secure the 3-0 win.  So far so good.

  
  

  Andy Reeve vs. Craig Wallace proved more eventful... Andy lost the first game 9-15 but showed composure to edge out the second 15-13.  From this point, there was only going to be one winner - Andy powering through the 3rd game 15-3 and closing out the 4th 15-6.  Nicely done.

  
  

  Then to perhaps the most eventful match of the night.  Yours truly vs. David Thompson.  Behind for most of the first match, I managed to take it 15-11 but tired legs / general lack of fitness gave Dean the 2nd (14-16) and 3rd (12-15) .  Eeesh.  The 4th game saw David race away - stealing 14 quick points... but then the comeback!  From 10 points, I clawed back to 14-14 and somehow edged out the required two point gap.  Phew.  And with momentum swinging in Grange's favour, the 5th game finished 15-11.  

  
  

  Overall 18 points to 3.  In the bag.  More of the same needed next week before we take the mid-season break.  A few more big pointers might prove enough to wriggle into the top 3.  Maybe? (Report: Sloan Ranger)