Canterbury beat Colchester 4-3

[<<] [>>] by Frank Hughes, at Polo Farm, Canterbury
18 Jun 2009 (AC - Secretary's Shield)

Secretary's Shield quarter-final between Canterbury and Colchester
Result: Scores Canterbury names first:

Paul Hill bt Peter Kenward +7 (time)
Michael Poole bt Gerry Varndell +8
Ted Salisbury and Roger Loram bt David Haslam and Ron Atkinson +9 Hill lost to Haslam -24 Poole lost to Kenward -3 Loram lost to Varndell -13 Salisbury bt Atkinson +6

CANTERBURY are through to the Secretary's Shield semi-finals by the skin of their teeth.
They went into lunch knowing they had to win just one of four singles against Colchester at Polo Farm, Canterbury, on Thursday. Three-hours and 20 minutes later they had lost three matches and the fourth was in the balance.
Canterbury's Ted Salisbury was just ahead but his opponent, Ron Atkinson, had the innings and there were still 10 minutes left for play.
Just as it looked as though Atkinson could take the lead he missed a rush shot. Salisbury hit-in and did not allow Atkinson another chance.
Canterbury qualified this year as the current holders of the Shield.
In the morning Canterbury reigned supreme. Michael Poole beat Gerry Varndell 26-18 and Paul Hill was winning 25-18 when time was called. In the doubles Salisbury and Loram won 26-17 against Atkinson and Colchester's captain David Haslam.
After lunch Haslam had his revenge, defeating Hill 26-2 in short order.
Poole found tough opposition in Kenward but looked likely to pip him when Kenward left him a short roquet to his yellow on the baulkline behind penultimate. Poole decided to rush yellow towards his red corner ball to be certain of securing another rush but missed, leaving Kenward a simple hit-in. Kenward cashed in to win 26-23.
Loram created chances but hooping errors meant he was always struggling against Varndell who won 26-13.
With the match score level at 3-3 all eyes were on Salisbury and Atkinson.
Salisbury triumphed 26-20. Canterbury now face either Ashby or Ealing in the semi-finals.

Match report by Frank Hughes, Canterbury's non-playing captain