By John Thomson
This week was the final week of the South East Metro Challenge for the Spring season.
The Lilydale Division 1 level play team made the long trek down the Peninsula to play Mornington, consisting of players Murray Howlett and Craig McCracken.
The first game was the doubles and Lilydale had won the toss so they hit off first. The game was close all the way as one team would get a hoop or two in front only then the other team would even things up again. Late in the game Lilydale was able to get a mini break and then hold it and eventually win the game 7 hoops to Mornington 5 hoops.
Murray played in the first singles game where he got off to a good start, but the Mornington player was not going away. Murray was able to run consecutive hoops to give him the lead and take the win 7 hoops to Mornington 4 hoops.
Craig played in the next singles game. This game was another tight affair as each player traded hoop for hoop. Late in the game Craig was able to get on top and win 7 hoops to Mornington 5 hoops.
At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Mornington 0 games 14 hoops. With two games to play Lilydale had won the day, so it was a matter now of by how much or could Mornington win the last two.
Murray played in the first single after lunch. Murray started brilliantly and had the first 4 hoops up, from then on he controlled the match to go on and win 7 hoops to Mornington 3 hoops.
Craig played the last game. Another tight game with both players playing a negative clearing game making it hard to run hoops eventually after the twelfth hoop it was 6 hoops a piece, so the 13th and deciding hoop had to be played. Mornington was able to set up well and then win the hoop. Mornington 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
The final scores for the day were Lilydale 4 games 34 hoops to Mornington 1 game 24 hoops.
Congratulations to the Ringwood team for winning the Division 1 competition this season. In a very close, hard fought season Lilydale ended up a very commendable third. Well done to the team of John Thomson, Murray Howlett and Craig Mc Cracken.
In Division 2 this week Lilydale hosted the Monash club.
Lilydale’s team was Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Mike Gilsenan.
Alan and Kerri played in the doubles. The Lilydale pair got off to a great start and were able to build on their early lead and win the game 7 hoops to Monash 3 hoops.
Mike played in the first singles game. Mike started well but his opponent fought back. From there the game was close, eventually the Monash player got on top and won 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Alan played in the next game. Alan got off to a blistering start and was able to control the whole game and have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Monash 1 hoop.
At the break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 19 hoops to Monash 1 game 11 hoops. Monash could still win the day but they needed to win the last two games.
Kerri played in the next singles game. Kerri’s game has improved as the season has gone on, and in this game she was able to produce some more of that good form and win 7 hoops to Monash 4 hoops.
In the last game, Mike played. The Monash player built a good lead early and although Mike tried to fight back the lead that the Monash player had was just a bit too much. Monash 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.
The Final scores Lilydale 3 games 29 hoops to Monash 2 games 22 hoops.
Congratulations to the Lilydale Division 2 team for winning the Spring competition this season. Lilydale only lost the 2 tests for the season and finished 2 tests, 14 games and 62 hoops in front of second placed Sandringham. The Lilydale team this season was Alan Jones, Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Mike Gilsenan. Well done to you all, a truly great effort.
On the last day of the handicap season Lilydale hosted the Monash side.
The Lilydale team this week consisted of Murray Howlett, Kerri McCracken, Colleen Howlett and Murray McLean.
Kerri played in the first singles game. Kerri was starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage. This was a very close game. Kerri made up her 1 hoop disadvantage but could not get a break on her opponent. After the 12th hoop had been played it was 6 hoops a piece with the 13th hoop to decide the winner. Both players did not set up well for this hoop but in the end it was the Monash player who was able to run the hoop and win the game, 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
In the first doubles game the two Murray’s ( Howlett and McLean) paired up. Lilydale were starting this game with a 2 hoop disadvantage. Lilydale started well and had made up their disadvantage in the first 2 hoops, from then on it was a level play game and Lilydale’s experience showed through and they went on to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Monash 2 hoops win.
Colleen played in the next singles game. Colleen was starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage. Both players took time to get into the game with Colleen being the first to get on track and she made up her 1 hoop disadvantage and along the way ran some very nice hoops to go on and win the game 7 hoops to Monash 4 hoops.
Murray and Kerri played in the next doubles game. Lilydale were starting with a 2 hoop disadvantage and Monash with a 1 hoop advantage. Lilydale won the first 2 hoops to cancel their disadvantage but Monash were still in front by their 1 hoop advantage. Lilydale worked their way in front over the course of the game winning 7 hoops to Monash 4 hoops.
At the Lunch break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 27 hoops to Monash 1 game 17 hoops. With 2 games to go Monash could still win, but they certainly had the job in front of them.
Kerri played in the last singles of the day. Kerri was starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage. Monash started well but then a couple of errors from Monash and Kerri made them pay, making up the 1 hoop disadvantage and getting her nose in front and going on to win 7 hoops to Monash 5 hoops.
This win gave Lilydale the day with one doubles game to play.
Murray and Colleen played in the last doubles. Lilydale were starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage while Monash had a 1 hoop advantage. This game was a real struggle. Lilydale tried to make up their disadvantage and get on equal terms with Monash and they were still holding their advantage. Eventually it was all tied at 6 hoops each so the deciding hoop had to be played. Lilydale were able to set up the best and then run the hoop to win the game 7 hoops to Monash 6 hoops.
The final scores, Lilydale 5 games 41 hoops to Monash 1 game 28 hoops.
The Lilydale handicap team has had a fantastic season, they did not lose a game during the season, the worst they did was a draw in one of their games. Lilydale finished 3 tests, 14 games and a staggering 84 hoops in front of second placed Monash team. Congratulations to the captain Murray Howlett and his team of Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken, Colleen Howlett and Murray McLean.
