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05/11/2003
UNISPORT CRASH TO LEE
Ian Robinson reports on a diasppointing home defeat for UniSport Guildford ,,,
UniSport Guildford 2 lost to Lee on Solent 1
Stephen Meads 0 lost to Bradley Ball 3
7 - 9, 1 - 9, 5 - 9
Tony Hands 0 lost to Chris Simpson 3
1 - 9, 5 - 9, 4 - 9
Neil Frankland 3 beat David Harris 0
11 - 9, 9 - 6, 9 - 3
Paul Allen 3 beat Chris Rand 0
9 - 3, 9 - 1, 9 - 2
Fiona Geaves 0 lost to Vicky Botwright 3
6 - 9, 7 - 9, 7 - 9
UniSport Guildford 2 lost to Lee on Solent 3
UniSport lost a tight match against a weakened Lee on Solent line up by 2 - 3 when the deciding match was played between the number ones at a 2 - 2 scoreline. Weakened by the notable absence of in form Stacey Ross, this was nothing compared with the absence of three front line Lee on Solent players all away on international duty, Lee Drew, Gavin Jones and Ben Howell. However the match plans of UniSport Guildford were thrown badly off course by the recurrence of hamstring problems to number 2 Tony Hands. Hands was barely into his crucial match when his leg, although crudely bandaged, gave out on him rendering him one-legged.
First match on court was Fiona Geaves against the much improved Vicky Botwright. Geaves was sporting her new line in mouth guards, made necessary by the recent injury to her front teeth. The home player took an early advantage and looked to be playing with some confidence, however looks were to be deceptive in this case as Botwright quickly nullified the lead and forged ahead as much with the timid play of Geaves as her own ability to find suitable winners. The second and third games were to follow similar patterns, Botwright surged away to 8 and then Geaves relaxed and found some form but leaving herself too much to do to level the scores and ultimately paid the price for conceding such big early leads. This was a disappointment not so much that Botwright did not play well because she did, but more because Geaves is still a long way from her best after her recent accident and the match result never looked seriously in doubt on the night. Nonetheless it was a pleasing match for the spectators and of a standard in the women's game that is not often seen at the Varsity Centre.
Paul Allen was making his debut for UniSport Guildford and made very short work of youngster for Lee on Solent, Chris Rand. Allen is a strong player and overpowered Rand, hitting fiercely to the back and finishing clinically to the front corners when the opportunity arose, thereby chasing his opponent to all four corners of the court. This was a good win and an impressive start for Allen. More challenging matches will lay in store for him if this form is anything to go by. This brought the match scores level at 1 - 1.
Immediately into the fray came Neil Frankland hungry for matches after the frustrations of his campaign in the World Team Championships with Scotland. Neil hit the ball cleanly and after a close first game (11 - 9) he found his range against another Lee on Solent youngster, David Harris and brought his greater experience to bear as the match went on, ultimately winning the match comfortably. 9 - 6 and 9 - 3 in the last two games. This was to give UniSport the lead for the last time in the match 2 - 1.
Disaster was to strike Tony Hands, as he started his match with another Lee on Solent youngster Chris Simpson. With his leg heavily bandaged, he was not moving well from the outset and it quickly became apparent that the leg damaged last week in the match against Chichester had not responded to treatment as well as had been thought. This was to be a triumph of youthful vigour and health against an ailing veteran who in part showed what made him such a good player on the world stage, but sadly here was reduced to limping around the court to complete a match that with hindsight he should probably not have started. Take nothing away from Simpson who was terrier like in his pursuit of the win, but he can expect a much more skilful and resolute game when next the two players meet. Simpson impressed some good judges and looks like a good future prospect for Lee on Solent but probably on a bigger stage as well. The match was poised a 2 - 2.
Steve Meads has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of Guildford's cause and yet again he was expected to deliver the goods for the sake of the team at a crucial point in the match. Meads never flinches from these challenges, but this looked like a demand too far. At the end of a tough first game, the visitor, hitting the ball as hard as ever and finding winners when he needed them, managed to sneak the first game which set the tone for the rest of the match. Meads never again got on terms with the lanky Lee on Solent player finding that he was setting up the visitor with too many lose balls which he could dispatch for winners just when he most needed them. Meads played several rallies of the right quality but these only flattered to deceive as Ball reined him in and took the game and match only conceding 6 more points in the last two games and with winners hit more or less at will.
This was a major disappointment for UniSport Guildford who allowed winning points to slip away against an under strength team. The score was close and so for the spectator there was drama in the uncertainty but for the aficionado this was not a match of the highest quality. There will be much tougher matches ahead but this was in the circumstances a night of wasted chances and the frontline players need to be more on their mettle in the matches to come. UniSport travel to Broxbourne for their next match which is always tough and is on Tuesday 18th November.
Contributor: Ian Robinson
Club: Guildford
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