15 June - PCC Murphy Shield team come back from dead to win thriller
Phyllis Court looked dead and buried at 3 - 6 down in the final and deciding game of this tight Murphy Shield match against
Leighton-Linslade.
But 'never say die' duo Mike Fensome and Frances Colman won the last four hoops to steel an unlikely cliff-hanger victory.
The match had been on a knife edge all day with that doubles match being suspended for lunch at one game all (to be
returned to only if necessary) and the two morning singles matches being shared.
Roger Goldring complimented his singles win with another in his afternoon match up, but Don Rutherford repeated his
morning loss, all be it in two very tight games.
The head to head match between the number 2 players was a long affair with nearly all the hoops being well contested
as both Frances Colman and visitor Jean Ball matched each others fine clearance shots time after time. Ball missed a couple
of crucial shots in the second game, Colman didn't and that put Phyllis Court a nose ahead at 3 rubbers to 2.
All eyes then fell on the number 1's match where the host's Mike Fensome had seen is first game win canceled out by David
Ball's single point victory in the second.
Ball didn't leave it to the last hoop this time and his win drew the tie, so setting up a return to the doubles to decide.
Phyllis Court did some clever maneuvering to win the first hoop but then let Leighton establish a controlling lead by the half way point.
The teams traded hoops as Phyllis Court looked for how to win back to back points to get backinto the game with Colman's clearances working well with Fensome's ball placement.
Jean Ball missed a match winning shot at hoop 11 and Fensome ran the hoop right down to in front of 12 with aplomb.
With the game and match now tied, it was all on hoop 13 with first shot advantage to Leighton.
Jean Ball went safe and deep, Colman took better position but venerable to a clearance, David Ball fell crucially short and Fensome's tidy shot gave Phyllis Court the upper hand.
After another round of four shots, Jean Ball cleared Colman to 20 feet with husband David set to win the tie if she missed the return clearance.
She hit centre ball turning the tables with Fensome set for the winning shot.
David Ball missed him and the Phyllis Court man coolly scored.
What a great game, terrific to play in and just as exciting to watch - a real credit to both sides.
Phyllis Court play Guildford and Godalming in the quarter-finals.
PCC 'Murphy Shield Team' - Mike Fensome, Frances Colman, Don Rutherford, Roger Goldring.