Victory boosts Seconds' morale

Barclays I 2: Bridport II 3

BRIDPORT'S second team, struggling in the new division, were in need of a morale boosting win and this closely-contested match at Poole fitted the bill.

At number one for Bridport was James Styren, matched against Rory MacGillivray, who won the first game 9-4.

Styren came back to take the second 9-7 and a battle royal then ensued with games three and four going to 9-5 apiece.

The Poole man increased the pressure in the decider which Styren had to concede 9-2 and a lose his match 3-2.

Bill Hill at number two met a good opponent in Wendy Richmond but his tireless running gained him a 9-1 victory in the first game.

Richmond countered this in the second with well executed placements but Hill's ability to retrieve saw him through 9-6.

Richmond's skill earned her a 9-6 win in the third game but Hill bounced hack to take the fourth game 9-3 and his match 3-1.

At number five, Bridport's Mike Perry met a young Ian Finch and overwhelmed him in the first game 9-2.

The Barclays man came back well in the second and won 9-7 but Perry's experience was the telling factor in the third which he won 9-2 before taking the fourth 9-6 and the match 3-1.

Tony Cooke at number four was against Paul Nicholas, whose precise play was outgunned by Cooke 9-2 in the first game.

Nicholas overcame the onslaught to take the second and third games 9-3 and 9-7 before Cook won the fourth 9-6.

At two all, both players gave everything but Nicholas just clinched it 10-8 and the match 3-2.

It was left to veterans Alan Jones for Bridport and retired Barclays employee Andrew Ball to battle it out at number four for the match.

Ball produced devastating lob serves to dominate the first game and win it 9-1.

Jones got to grips after that and created rallying situations which mostly went his way so that he won the last three games 9-3, 9-7, 9-6 and his match 3-1.

* Bridport II's next match is against last season's fellow promotees, Hamworthy 2.