8th league “B” vs. Pirates

Well whatever next………..we played adjacent to the ‘ruffians……that is 8A…….and this my fellow comrades is an education on it’s own……..with ‘charge out rate @ R1000 per minute George Bowen leading the chorus………..and I might add……times are tough……….it used to be R2500 per minute!!

Let it be said ……….your support was great……..Thank you George

However, while watching 8A being given a hard time by Wits………who by the way got thumped by 8B………….I couldn’t help but notice some very dubious on-court behaviour………..that is Chamber Exiles 8A………….although I was unable to attend the umpiring course the other week……….I thought that in the PAR scoring……..a player had to get to 15 before claiming the game………..not according to Mike Hunt………….new rules……..you get to 14………….walk off the court and claim the game……….sit down……….have a glass of water………then ……..well OK if you insist…….we’ll carry on to 15………nice try.

Then if that is not enough……… Nick Papa whilst getting an absolute hiding of note……….and at the same time is getting the run around………..big time……….he proceeds to just sit down on the court……………and declares that he is tired……………this is not lekker???

Ruffians…………the dust up is scheduled for 13th May……next week……don’t come with these fancy pants tricks………..they are not going to work.

Anyway onto the real business……..no doubt about it……………..AWESOME ………..absolutely awesome…….victory at it’s very best……….well…….not quite a white wash…….but nearly!!

Up first is our stand in cappy Pete Le Roux……who this week steps up to the plate and takes the number 1 spot……….I didn’t get to see the game……..but apparently played against an ex 6th leaguer………Pete played OK……….but not really in it……..got klapped 3 duck.

On next………Mr lazy…….Dave Hamilton………..never ceases to amaze……….as he tries to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory………..however, manages to squeeze home 3 – 2.

This now leaves “The big fella’s to do it all………..again”

Up next is ol’ amkrokokoko Big ‘G’ Gavin Martin……..against Max……..who tested the umpire with some quite pathetic asks for ‘strokes and lets’. Anyway, experience and guile won the day or should I say the evening as Big ‘G’ handed out a klap 3 duck.

So we are 6 – 5 up and the sports reporter is up next against their former number 1……..who I’m told klapped Big ‘G’ last year and whomever from the ruffians a month or so ago.

Anyway………man I love it when a plan comes together………and wait for it………..yebo……….. I’ll have to repeat myself for a third week in a row……….. pure class and skill ………and lovely to watch…same as last 2 weeks, however, this time came from behind being 2 down and due to supreme fitness whipped him 3 - 2.

Cheers for now

Digby

Match result : 12-7

AND THE BIG POSTPONED LOCAL DERBY (CLASH OF THE TITANS)

Herewith the match report for the local Emmerentia derby, between Chamber 8A and Chamber 8B

Following numerous postponements due to disputes around appearance fees, crowd control etc., the match eventually took place at the neutral CCJ venue on Wednesday 13 May. Given that this is the biggest local rivalry, playing at No.1 or No.4 is not at all relevant, the players are matched up according to previous experiences (mostly bad), and given the opportunity to settle old scores, reopen old wounds and, at the end of the day, the winning team earns the bragging rights until the next clash. Herewith the results of the games, in the order played (Chamber B was the home team):

Gavin Martin vs Mike Hunt 3-1

This game started very evenly with the two old farts trading blows and getting to 1-1 without too much drama or any life-threatening injuries. Gavin started getting the upper hand in the third game thereafter Mike capitulated and handed him a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Peter Fillmore vs George Bowen 3-2

The battle of the captains was always going to be a titanic struggle. George tried to intimidate his opponent with his double handed backhand drives down the forehand side and his crosscourt three-wall backhand boasts, but Pete had his number. After going down 1-2, he fought back and clinched a tense 5th, which in fairness, could have gone either way.

Peter le Roux vs Nic Papa 1-3

This was a closer encounter than the score suggests. All the games were evenly matched, with a few critical points (Nicks?) deciding each game. The first game going to Nic after he pulled out a few good winners to clinch the game. The second was even closer with Nic claiming it 15-13. Peter came back strongly in the 3rd, taking advantage of tiring Nic. At 13 all in the 4th it was all to play for, but Nic managed to draw on his last bit of energy and wrapped it up, winning 3-1.

Graham Vermaak vs Bruce Bydawell 2-3

This is always a hotly contested match up and once again the players provided the growing audience with a humdinger of a game. After losing the first game, Graham came back strongly to win the next two, going up 2-1. The 4th again proved to be the deciding game. After being behind for most of the game, Bruce clawed his way back to 13 all and won 15-13. The comeback continued into the 5th with the mean machine kicking into overdrive to clinch the match 3-2.

So, after the fat lady (Susan Boyle?) had sung, we were 9-9 in games and had to pull out the calculators to add up the points. After much debate and recounting (Zimbabwean style), the so-called snot snivellers (sic) had beaten the mighty A-Team and regained (or retained) all the bragging rights, for at least another 3-4 months.

Match result: 11-9

After cooling off in the steam bath, we retired to the members bar, joined by some of our supporters (wives and significant others), and enjoyed a great meal and a few pints. All in all a fantastic evening’s entertainment, no yellow or red cards, no citings, no disputed calls, no racquet abuse etc. We are looking forward to the rematch.

PS There was a rumour doing the rounds that there was a fifth match between Dave Hamilton and Paul Fallon, which Paul won 3-2. However we have not been able to confirm this report, and after all there can only be four games in a league match.

PPS This report supersedes all other reports on this match. There is only one version of the truth, so please ignore any other report that may be doing the rounds