New Nationals Champions can't save Chapel-A

Mike Dickens Reports

Even with a number of our professionals away on the world tour Chapel A were proud to field to recently crowned National Champions in Thierry Lincou and Jenny Duncalf. At 2,3 and 4 we knew it would be tough with debuts for our younger pros at the club Chris Truswell and Rudi Willemse with Laurence Delasaux elevated to 2 string.

Jenny Duncalf vs Madeline Perry. This was a repeat of the Nationals semi-final and in the first game Madeline looked like she was out for revenge. It was close all the way but a couple of quick backhand crosscourt flicks sealed the game 11-9. Jenny came racing out in the second to take a commanding lead but again Madeline dug her heels in and closed the gap from 9-5 down to 10-8, an error by Jenny and it was 10-9, a monster rally won by Jenny finished the game 11-9. Jenny kept the pressure on to move through the match and take her first home victory to a delighted crowd. Chapel A (3-1).

Rudi Willemse vs Scott Handley. This is the match we had to win if we wanted to take the spoils on the night. Rudi pushed Scott all the way and showed some outrageous retrieving and the ability to hit a ridiculous winner after Scott had pulled him all around the court. The supporters really got behind the South African on his debut but the experience of Scott pulled him through in five. Oxford (2-3)

Chris Truswell vs Chris Ryder. Ryder has played Yorkshire League for Chapel A for 7 seasons and the supporters were appreciative of that fact. Truswell looked nervous in the first game and Ryder cruised through with his swift and elegant movement 11-2. Truswell picked himself up and battled well in the second hitting some nice nicks just losing out 8-11. Again in the third Truswell can’t be faulted for effort and found himself at 10-7, unfortunately Ryder hit 3 fantastic (risky) shots in a row to level 10-10 and stepped up the pace to close out 12-10. Oxford (0- 3)

Laurence Delasaux vs Borja Golan. To be truthful on paper this looked a very one sided match, however, “D-Boy” put on a show. Rapidly becoming a crowd favourite, Dela came flying out with no fear and his racket skills looked better than ever. He took Borja by suprise and hit some fantastic forehand drops that even the world number 14 was struggling to handle. Dela took the first 11-7 to a huge cheer from the crowd. Borja brought the pace up in the second and forced Laurence to make a string of errors, which got the supporters talking about “Borja’s fitness will count now” (4-11). Dela proved the crowd wrong and they dually responded to his immense effort and skill. The third and forth really could have gone either way, Borja just the more patient on the crucial points, 9-11, 9-11. Oxford (1-3).

Thierry Lincou vs Cameron Pilley. After signing youngsters kit bags Lincou was focused on the task ahead. It was essential for Thierry to win but stop Oxford from getting anymore points, Thierry didn’t disappoint and looked very sharp. The French National Champion put on an awesome display to take the match 3-0.

Mike Dickens
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