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Written by Kevin Bird

Category: News Updates

Created: 14 March 2022

The cadet team of Ben Aldridge, Adam Koszyk and Shivam Gopal started the final weekend in a strong position, 5 points behind the leaders Knighton Park, so all to play for. 

We set off at a great pace with a 6-0 win in first match against Chandlers.  The next match was against West Bridgeford, another 6-0 win with only one game going beyond 3 ends. Nottingham was the next opponent - proving slightly more challenge, but the players stepped up to the mark, winning 5-1 with Ben and Adam retaining their clean sheets. The final match was against Knighton Park,the team who started the day top. The boys played with great spirit with 4 of the matches going to 5 ends; Ben and Adam both lost very close games to the number one player, Faisal Mulla, and this time Shivam held his final game to 9 in the fifth, so keeping a clean sheet.

Despite this great set of results, we did not manage to catch Knighton Park and finished second, 2 points behind, in the Cadet League.

Well done to Ben, Adam and Shivam ,not only for the success, but the positive attitude and team work you have displayed. It has been a pleasure to coach you. Thanks must also go to their families support, with a special mention to Gabriela  who assisted with the scoring sheets, umpiring and keeping us all on our toes.

Thanks

Ian

Details

Written by Kevin Bird

Category: News Updates

Created: 13 March 2022

On Saturday 5th March, Alex, Adam and Ben played in the fourth (and last) round of National Junior League, at Nishkam School, Birmingham.

The boys were in first place in Division 3, having had a successful Day 3. Another excellent performance was required if we were to keep Lillington in second place.

Round 1 was against Cheslyn Hay Tigers, and we ran out 5-1 winners. Cheslyn's stand-out player was Callum Randell. He beat Ben in 5 (having been 2-0 down), but Alex played a superb match to edge Callum out 12-10 in the deciding end. The other matches were won in three ends, with Adam untroubled.

Round 2 opponents were Birmingham 4. A really close match, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Ben's double was the highlight, especially the 15-13 fifth-end win against Roan Paul, whom he'd lost to in Day 3. For Birmingham, Jayden Baker showed good improvement to beat Adam and Alex in close games. Alex was unlucky to draw a blank.

Round 3 opponents were Colebrige C. Another very close match (with 4 five-set matches) ending in a 3-3 draw. Adam was unlucky not to bag a double, losing his second five-ender of the match 21-19! All players won one match, and the result could have gone either way, so a draw was probably fair on both teams.

In Round 4 we faced Birmingham 3. Ben was back to his best with a double, ably supported by Alex and Adam, bagging one win each for a much needed 4-2 win.

Our last round was against the giants of Lillington (and I mean giants. One of the players was 6 foot 4!). Lillington had had an excellent day, and were now a couple of points ahead of us. A 5-1 or 6-0 win was required to win the league. It was not to be as Lillington ran out 4-2 winners. Alex's 11-9 fifth-end win (yes, another five-ender) was the stand-out performance of this match. Well played Alex.

Finishing runners-up was a great achievement, and I'm proud of the players performances during the season. We've shown consistent improvement over the season, and the boys can pleased with their efforts. 

A special mention to Gabriela, who came along to support the team, and help with umpiring and filling in score sheets. Certainly made my job easier!

I look forward to doing it again next season.

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Kevin Bird
Team Captain