7th league is hard. We lost to Wanderers 11-8 at home on Tuesday.
But only just. It was a humdinger.
1. Bruce v Mike: 15-13, 9-15, 12-15, 15-12, 13-15
2. Phil v Louis: 15-7, 15-8, 13-15, 15-13
3. Brennan v Brian: 9-15, 12-15, 16-18
4. Tom v Gavin: 15-5, 13-15, 13-15, 15-10, 15-11
Phil went on first against woolly-headed Louis, and managed to frustrate Louis enough to guarantee lots of tin. 3-1 in the end. One to Chamber.
Tom went on second against what may have appeared to onlookers to be an unnecessarily fiery leprechaun named Gavin, but those watching closely will tell you he received plenty of weird calls from his own marker. Anyway Tom swished his way around in the opening game in usual van Heeswijk style - "ringer" was heard being muttered by more than one Wanderers player. Tom then went walkabouts for the next two games, but thankfully woke up in time to seal the win 3-2. Two to Chamber.
Brennan went on next against an old school looking chap named Brian, who moved far better than his body shape would suggest, and who handed Brennan an old school lesson. Brennan lost 0-3, setting up a grand final in the number 1 match. 6-6 in games at this stage.
I have to say I am amazed Bruce is not dead by now. He must have run, in short zig-zaggy sprints, about ten kilometers last night. Bruce won the first, but Mike won the next two (8-7 in games to Wanderers). Bruce had to win the next and did, but ran out of oomf in the fifth (only just). Bruce played well and showed plenty of heart, but his opponent Mike was smashing them too low and flat too often.
So like I said, it was a humdinger that we only just lost.