Fine win against Wallingford

In their third match of the winter season, Henley’s 1st team played Wallingford, Oxfordshire’s most successful club, and recorded their second win of the season.

Despite Wallingford fielding two professionals, Henley won 3/2 (14/7) and moved to third place in the league – just two points behind Esporta Oxford and twelve behind league leaders Abingdon, who Henley lost to 3/2 in their opening encounter.

At first string Rick Weatherall was beaten convincingly 3/0 by ex world top 40 player Scott Handley. Handley was fit and amazingly fast and Weatherall struggled to live with his pace, despite a valiant effort.

At two, newly promoted Harry Carr lost to Simon White the Wiltshire professional. Carr was down 2/0, when he managed to capitalise on a spell of poor concentration from White and his extra commitment won him a vital game. However, White regrouped at the start of the fourth game to close out the match 3/1.

At three, Simon Street beat the experienced and talented Steve Dodridge 3/1. Street started slowly and lost the opening game before taking the next three fairly comfortably.

Sam Carr was far too fit for Steve Brackley at fourth string and won fairly easily 3/0. Brackley can be dangerous if allowed to fight his way back into a match; however the elder of the Carr brothers was focused from the start and never let his opponent settle in.

At fifth string Stef Stanton beat Russell Roles 3/0. Stanton was leading 2/0 and in control, when a fight back from Roles took the third game to a tie break, which Stanton duly won 10/8 to take the victory.

Next week Henley entertain second place Esporta Oxford in what is expected to be a closely fought contest.