Solomon Trophy - Day 3

[<<] [>>] by Phil Cordingley
12th July 2001 (International)

Current Match Score: GB 10 - USA 0
First to 11 matches wins the trophy.

Being held at Surbiton. Lawns easy paced. Weather gales, overcast with sunny spells and isolated showers.

Main story today was the gusty, gale force wind which reduced several of the players (well, alright, me then) to the double digit handicap level. The exception was Clarke and Harrison-Wood. Their scores (25stp, 18tp) might have suggested a continuation of Chris's rich vein of form of yesterday, but in fact both TPs were done by David. Chris showed more faith in David than I've ever seen him show in Robert by leaving to do the lunchtime shopping as David commenced the final turn of the match.

The fun was in the other two matches. When Rory Kelley and Dave Bent managed to retain the innings in game one against Phil Cordingley and Sam Tudor whilst scoring only two points, I knew it was going to be a long day. Notwithstanding a tight, firm second hoop, Rory and Dave ran out eventual winners. In game two, Phil managed to grovel to 4b with nine separate one hoop breaks, with Sam following to hoop 6 with four one hoop and one two hoop break. After a number of false starts, Dave got to 4b and Rory cruised to the peg with a peel, and the match looked over. But a gutsy (dare I say again, hairy?) break to the peg by Sam inspired Phil to go out from 4b when the lift was missed. Match pegged down at one all.

Colin Irwin and Dave Foulser against Bob Cherry and Brit Ruby featured the Brits being pegged out in both of the first two games. In the first, Colin saved the bacon by winning from penult. In the second, Dave couldn't emulate the feat from 3b. No details (match finished at 21:45) but Colin and Dave clinched the match Openshavianly +4 in the third.

Tomorrow sees the third and final series of doubles. GB need one more match to retain the trophy.

Today's Results

GB1 C. Clarke & D. Harrison-Wood beat US3 K. Rosenberry & P. Bennett +25stp(H-W), +18tp(H-W)
GB2 C. Irwin & D. Foulser beat US1 B. Cherry & B. Ruby +5, -3, +4
GB3 P.Cordingley & S. Tudor tie US2 R. Kelley & D. Bent -15, +3