Henley 4ths go down fighting

In Division 7 bottom-of-the table Henley 4ths were host to top-of-the table Drifters. On paper this was a one-sided fixture, but some spirited play from Henley saw them take two of the matches and keep the tie open until the final match of the night.

The most heroic performance was at fifth string, which saw Matt Blagg fight back from 1/0 and 2/1 down to take the match in the final game 10/8 after his opponent, Pat O’ Reagan, held match point. Blagg was really battling fatigue in the final game, but his power enabled him to win out, even though his puff was failing!

At 4th string Duncan Nightingale had a rare 3-0 victory over a wily Kevin Edwards who pushed him hard in the third game before succumbing 9/7, 9/3, 10/8. Nightingale was taking some stick for his ‘Rafe Nadal’ shorts before the match, but afterwards his team-mates were queuing up to touch them and absorb their magical properties!

At 3rd string Henley junior Jonathan Betts fought well to take a game off the very fit Drifters skipper, Alex Wales – but eventually lost out 3/9, 6/9, 9/7, 5/9.

At 2nd string James Gildersleve, despite making a big effort in the third game, couldn’t trouble Paul Jewitt who ran out a comfortable winner in straight games.

At 1st string Simon Stone pushed Mike Stepney hard and reached 8-all in the third game, before losing out.

Henley 4ths look set for demotion, but this performance shows they should be very competitive in the division below.

The final League Tables for the 1st half of the Winter season can be seen here.

The 1st team finished a very creditable 3rd in the top division.

In division 2, Henley 2nds consolidated their position in this division, also finishing 3rd.

Henley 3rds avoided demotion and will remain in division 5.