By John Thomson
On Monday 28 October the Lilydale Division 1 team played at home against Ringwood. Ringwood this season have been one of the top teams while Lilydale have been in the bottom half of the ladder, so Lilydale would certainly have to play at their best.
Lilydale’s team this week comprised Craig McCracken and John Thomson.
In the doubles Ringwood won the first couple of hoops, Lilydale came back and won the next couple of hoops and so it went until the 12th hoop where it was 6 hoops each. Ringwood had first shot to the 13th hoop and placed their ball perfectly in front of the hoop. Lilydale could not clear the Ringwood ball and they ran the hoop to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
In the first singles John played. John had a break early but the Ringwood player gradually worked his way back into the game. John made a couple of unforced errors which eventually was the difference in the game. Ringwood 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Craig played in the next singles. This game was a battle with both players taking their opportunity to run the hoops when they could. After 12 hoops had been played it was 6 hoops each. The 13th hoop was also closely fought but in the end Lilydale was able to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Ringwood 6 hoops.
At the break the scores were Ringwood 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 18 hoops. Lilydale were still in the game but had a bit of ground to make up.
Craig played in the first game after the break. Ringwood got off to a great start, Craig battled hard to get back into the game but the Ringwood player had and held the ascendancy and went onto win 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.
John Thomson played in the last game. This was another game that went hoop for hoop with neither player able to get a decent break at the end of the 12th hoop. It was 6 hoops each with the 13th hoop to be played to decide the winner. Both players set up fairly well, John had first shot at the hoop but hit the leg of the hoop which allowed the Ringwood player a shot at the hoop which she ran and won the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.
Final scores were Ringwood 4 games 34 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 27 hoops. This was definitely a game of missed opportunities for Lilydale.
This week’s Lilydale Division 2 team played away to Kew.
Lilydale’s team this week was Alan Jones, Mick Crawley and Mike Gilsenan.
Alan and Mick paired up for the doubles. Alan and Mick got off to a great start and controlled the game for most of the time and went onto have a comfortable 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops win.
Mike played in the first singles game. This game was tight with both players taking their opportunities when presented, Kew eventually getting a small break to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.
Alan played in the next singles game. This game was almost a carbon copy of the previous game but this time it was the Lilydale player that was able to get a small break to go on and win 7 hoops to Kew 5 hoops.
At the break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 19 hoops to Kew 1 game 15 hoops.
Mick played in the next game. Mick’s skill and experience showed in this game as he controlled the game right from the start going on to have a comfortable win 7 hoops to Kew 2 hoops.
Mike played in the last game. Mike battled hard in this game but unfortunately his opponent was able to build a lead and go on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
Final scores Lilydale 3 games 30 hoops to Kew 2 games 24 hoops.
This win keeps Lilydale on top of the Ladder, they are one test, 14 games and 64 hoops in front of second place. With two weeks to go until the end of the season they will be hard to beat from here.
On Thursday 31 October, the Lilydale handicap team hosted the Mornington club. Lilydale have had a very settled team for the last few weeks and this week was no different with Murray Howlett, Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Colleen Howlett playing.
Mick played in the first singles. Mick was starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage, but that did not deter Mick as he took control of this game and went on to win 7 hoops to Mornington 3 hoops.
In the first doubles Murray and Kerri paired up. Lilydale were starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage while the Mornington team had a 2 hoop advantage. Murray and Kerri have both been in good form in recent times and this game was no exception as they had soon made up their 1 hoop disadvantage and from there took control of the game to go on and win 7 hoops to Mornington 3 hoops.
Kerri played in the next singles game. This time Mornington were starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage. As mentioned Kerri has been in good form and in this game she jumped out of the blocks and got away to a good start and was able to hold that lead winning 7 hoops to Mornington 3 hoops.
The husband and wife combo of Murray and Colleen Howlett played in the next doubles. Lilydale were starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage while the Mornington team had a 1 hoop advantage. Again, Lilydale had made up the 1 hoop disadvantage early and were able to take charge of the game and win 7 hoops to Mornington 3 hoops.
At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 4 games 28 hoops to Mornington 0 games 12 hoops. With two games to play Lilydale had already won the day.
Mick played in the first game after lunch. Mick was starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage. In this game the tables turned slightly with the Mornington player able to take charge of the game and have a win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.
The last game was a doubles and Murray and Kerri again paired up. Lilydale were starting with a 1 hoop disadvantage while the Mornington pair had a 2 hoop advantage. This game was much closer than Murray and Kerri’s first doubles game as Mornington took it up to Lilydale. Lilydale eventually got on top and won 7 hoops to Mornington 5 hoops.
Final scores for the day, Lilydale 5 games 39 hoops to Mornington 1 game 24 hoops.
This win keeps Lilydale on top of the ladder, they are two tests, 16 games and 78 hoops in front of the second team, with two weeks to play. Even if Lilydale lose the last two rounds and the second place team wins theirs Lilydale should still be on top due to the games and hoop count.
