SYKES BACK FROM THE BRINK!

Lodgers C put their second match to bed with a resounding 9-1 defeat of the unlucky Lodgers Blades. However, the match was anything but an easy victory with Simon Raistrick going the distance with Scott Sykes and Andy Pocklington and Darron Kent also doing likewise with Andy Pocklington. Steve Allen won all of his three at a canter without dropping an end but it was a different story for both Scott and Andy. Andy opened up the evenings proceedings by taking the first end against Simon Raistrick 11-5. Simon had other ideas though, and took the next two ends 5-11, 7-11 and was looking favourite for the match. Andy though dug deep and took the vital fourth end 12-10 and then an incredibly close decider 12-10 to get the first point on the board. Against Darron Kent, Andy was 1-2 down before getting some rhythm and taking the next two ends 11-3, 11-4. Scott Sykes opened up his account with a straight sets victory over Gavin Read before taking on Simon Raistrick. Things didn't start well for Scott with Simon taking the first two ends 7-11, 8-11 and with Scott 2-8 down in the third, the writing was on the wall! But somehow Scott managed to come back and take the third 13-11 before taking the next two ends off a despondent Simon 11-6, 11-8. Scott then finished off his evening with a straight sets win over the unlucky Darron Kent. It wasn't until the last singles that Blades got their first point on the board and it was Gavin Read who was their saviour with an excellent straight sets victory over Andy Pocklington. With the doubles going the way of Sykes/Allen over Raistrick/Read in straight sets, it gave Lodgers C the 9-1 victory on the night.