By John Thomson
On Monday 7 October the Lilydale Division 1 Level Play team hosted the Mornington team. The sky was overcast and the forecast was for showers during the day.
Lilydale’s team this week consisted of John Thomson and Craig McCracken.
The first game was the doubles. John and Craig got off to a blistering start and had won the first four hoops before Mornington won their first. The Lilydale pair continued with their good form and went on to win 7 hoops to Mornington 1 hoop.
John played in the first of the singles games. Mornington started well, winning the first two hoops but John worked his way back into the game and after 12 hoops the score was six hoops a piece. Both players had made a good and a poor shot to the 13th hoop, the Mornington player was able to place their ball in the hoop, Lilydale then played a jump shot over the Mornington ball to win the game. Lilydale 7 hoops to Mornington 6 hoops.
In the second singles Craig played. This game was nip and tuck all the way with both players playing some very good shots and running some long hoops. After the 12th hoop the scores were six hoops each. Lilydale set up well on the 13th and deciding hoop and was able to win the game 7 hoops to Mornington 6 hoops.
Scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Mornington 0 games 13 hoops. With two singles games to play Lilydale had secured the win for the day.
Craig played in the second last game. This game again was a very close fought affair with both players not giving an inch. After the 12th hoop it was six hoops each with the 13th hoop to decide the winner. This hoop was also a battle but in the end Lilydale was able to take their chance and run the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops to Mornington 6 hoops.
In the last game John played. Mornington started well and was a couple of hoops in front. Lilydale worked back into the game but then a couple of unforced errors by Lilydale saw Mornington win the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
The final scores for the day, Lilydale 4 games 32 hoops to Mornington 1 game 26 hoops.
The Lilydale Division 2 side travelled to Monash. The Lilydale team comprised Alan Jones, Mick Crawley and Mike Gilsenan. This was Mike’s first game for the season due to injuries and holidays.
Alan and Mick played in the doubles. This game was close all the way through with both teams going hoop for hoop and after the 12th hoop had been played it was six hoops a piece. The 13th hoop then had to be played to decide the winner. Both teams looked to have a chance at this hoop but it was Lilydale that was able to capitalise on their position and run the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops to Monash 6 hoops.
Mike played in the first singles. Unfortunately, Mike’s lack of match practice combined with the vagaries of the Monash court told in this game with Monash winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop.
In the next singles Mick played. The Monash player started well, Lilydale tried to work back into the game, but unfortunately the Monash player held onto their advantage and went on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.
At the lunch break it was Monash 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 11 hoops. With two games to be played Lilydale were still in with a chance to win the day.
Alan played in the first singles after lunch. Alan needed to win this game to keep Lilydale alive.
Alan started well and got a slender lead but the game was close and Alan needed to battle hard to maintain his lead, eventually Lilydale held on to win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.
This win levelled the game count at 2 games all but Lilydale were still 7 hoops behind with one game to be played.
Mike played in the last singles game. Mike had learnt a lot from his first game about how to play this court. The game was a hard fought affair until late in the game the Monash player was able to get a small break and take the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
The final scores were Monash 3 games 32 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 23 hoops.
This was the first loss of the season for the Division 2 team but they still sit on top of the ladder with five weeks to play in the season.
The Lilydale Handicap team played at Monash this week. Lilydale’s team comprised Murray Howlett, Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Colleen Howlett. This was Colleen’s first game for this Season.
Mick was playing in the first singles game. Mick was starting with a two hoop disadvantage. Mick won the first two hoops and had the game back on level terms, from then on Mick was able to control the game and go on to have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Monash 3 hoops.
In the first doubles Kerri and Colleen teamed up. Both teams had the same handicaps so it was a straight level play game. This game was a shoot out as both teams were going hoop for hoop. It was off the 13th. Lilydale were first to the hoop and set up well and eventually won the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops too Monash 6 hoops.
Kerri played in the next singles. This game was also a level play game with both players on the same handicap. Kerri has been in good form lately and it showed in this game as she was able to keep pressure on her opponent and have a comfortable win, 7 hoops to Monash 3 hoops.
In the next doubles Mick and Colleen teamed up. Lilydale were starting with a one hoop disadvantage in this game. Monash got off to a good start and got a lead on Lilydale before Lilydale could make up their disadvantage, Lilydale tried to fight back but the early break that Monash had built up was just too much. Monash 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
At the break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 25 hoops to Monash 1 game 19 hoops. With two games to play Monash had to win both games to give themselves a chance of winning the day.
Mick played in the first singles. Mick was starting with a two hoop disadvantage. This game was a bit tighter than his first singles, although he was able to bring the game back to a level play game early on but had to battle hard to take the lead, before going on to win 7 hoops to Monash 4 hoops.
This win had sealed the day for Lilydale.
In the last doubles game Murray and Kerri were playing. Again, because of the handicaps Lilydale were starting with a two hoop disadvantage. The Monash pair were putting up a great fight, Lilydale was slowly making inroads and eventually paired back the disadvantage and were able to get a small lead towards the end of the game to take the win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.
The final scores Lilydale 5 games 39 hoops to Monash 1 game 28 hoops.
Lilydale remains on top of the Handicap Play ladder at the halfway mark of the season, with five weeks to play.
