Howard Cheyne writes:
Letchworth hosted Surbiton in the semi-final of the GC Inter-Club.
Wonderful lawns and glorious sunshine greeted the Surbiton team the majority of whom were making their first visit to Letchworth. On paper the Surbiton team looked strong however Mounfield and Hector showed greater consistency against Mulliner and Cheyne who never got into their stride on the fast paced lawns running out comfortable victors 7-4, 7-4.
Nelson returning from a holiday in France proved that a heavy diet of wine, cheese and ham really is the diet of champions winning a close match against John Skinsley. With the Semi tied at 1-1 all eyes turned to Patrick Hort vs Peter Ross to see who would be in the lead at lunch. Patrick Hort making his GC debut had lost the first game to Peter. Despite this Patrick playing with a smile on his face perhaps due to the excitement of the looming lunch took a 5-0 lead in the second, this was quickly 5-5 through some superior tactical play from Peter, eventually it went to the 13th. Patrick having checked where hoop 13 was before the start of the match second to approach making the normally fatal error of half running 13 backwards. After some exchanges in play Patrick found himself presented with the chance to notch up his first game win which he duly took leaving the game paused at 1-1 for later if needed.
A very tasty lunch and some good fun preceeded the next round that saw Mulliner freed from the shackles of doubles winning in two before Hector and Cheyne had finished their first game on the same lawn. Nelson continued strongly also winning in two and Cheyne also following trend in two. Eyes again turned to Patrick who duly notched up his maiden GC Match victory in 3.
Letchworth hosted a lovely day, with spectators, fine lawns and our thanks goes to them. In truth the scoreline does not really represent what was in fact a far closer match between the two sides. Surbiton now face a strong Dulwich team in the Final.
Results (Letchworth first)
Nick Mounfield and Duncan Hector beat Stephen
Mulliner and Howard Cheyne 7-4, 7-4
John Skinsley lost to Nelson Morrow 6-7, 6-7
Peter Ross v Patrick Hort 7-5, 6-7 (Match drawn)
Nick Mounfield lost to Stephen Mulliner 4-7, 2-7
Duncan Hector lost to Howard Cheyne 5-7, 5-7
Peter Ross lost to Nelson Morrow 2-7, 4-7
John Skinsley lost to Patrick Hort 3-7, 7-2, 4-7
| Updated 2.vii.22 |
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