After their long wait for a first victory in the Monday Social League ended earlier this month, when the team won at Stocksbridge, the MP’s recorded a second win in as many games with an red-hot 7-1 smelting of visitors, Steel City, at Meersbrook Park (on Monday 17th July).
In the reverse fixture in May, Meersbrook Park had seemed all set to win in until Jim and Jon threw away the final doubles game when their huge lead was eroded by an older pairing. Revenge was sweet in the beautiful sunshine that followed another day of showers. Playing singles, Jon notched an early win and Jim finished things off with another routine victory (his third in the Social League this season) against a smouldering opponent to complete a stainless steal of a magnificent 7 points on the night.
Best win of the night belonged to Steve S. Stoked by his Club Tournament triumph the previous day, Steve again took his match to melting point, winning 21-20.
Earlier, Cei and Linda had hammered their opponents in the first doubles. While not having it all their own way, the women of steel were able to forge a 21-9 win.
They were replaced on the green by Paul T and Tom. These new bowlers had to show their metal in fighting back from a significant deficit to record a steely win to 18 against the pairing that had undone Jim and Jon at Steel City.
Alex was the only one to miss out. He clocked-in after a breakdown in communication meant that he had not known he was playing until the match started. Without any warm-up, Alex went onto the green to make his competitive debut. He started brilliantly, winning the first 3 ends but, paired with Steel City’s best player, (by some distance,) when he lost the jack he found himself put to the fire. Unable to adjust to his opponent’s clever variation, Alex will have gained valuable experience from his first game.
The 7-1 win, by a team containing only one player with experience prior to this season, leaves the MP’s second from bottom in Social League division E, but with home games to come against High Hazels and Bradway, a top half finish is still possible for this inexperienced outfit who have come alloy way since May and are proving to be quite an anvil for more established teams!