BUCKS A TEAM REPORT VERSUS BERKSHIRE A
A few players missing, a bare 9 players this month, no shorts allowed and a few players suffering from the night before meant that it was going to be an interesting day...
Sean Gourley was not exaggerating when he said that it gets hot up there. It was stupid hot and only the odd fan dotted around to try and cool us down, sticky cues and hands, hot sweaty bodies... sounds like the making of a perfect day??
First session started not so well, 3-0 down but sharing the next 6 frames to make it 3-6 Berks, our wins coming from Mike, Gary Drewett and Nathan.. Already signs that the rub was not going our way, was jaw-dropping at times.
The 2nd session went to Bucks 5-4 though we did lose the first 2 games putting us 8-3 down, wins came from Nathan, Gary, Nick, Stuart and top bun Lisa Reynolds (great clearance).. 10-8 Berks..
The 3rd session was won by Bucks 6-3, after losing the first game, we went on to win 5 in a row, dropped 2 then took the last game. Wins this time came from Jamie, Mike, Alan, Gary, Andrew and Nick Bowden. By this time the heat was unbearable, it was cooler outside in the sun!! Bucks go 14-13 up......
Before the last session we all went on camel rides and watched the pyramids......... It was an interesting last session with Berks taking the first 2 and going 15-14 up but Bucks never give up and win the next 3 thanks to Gary Drewett, Lisa Reynolds and Nick Bowden, another fine clearance from the bun, Nick also took out a lovely finish and with Gary completing 100% for the day, Bucks go 17-15 up. Berks take the next game to make it 17-16, really tense stuff in the heat.
Jamie McGauley next and finishes well to put us 1 away from the win, on steps Nathan, as usual, as soon as he got a chance, takes out a lovely controlled clearance taking us across the winning line. Berks take the last game, captain slow played as he watched the Nathan's game??
End result was a 19-17 win against the 2015 national champions, not too bad in a sauna.
Congratulations Gary Drewett on 4/4 and staying later after the seniors and taking £200 off of one the Berks player in a race to 3, winning 3-1. Also well done to Nick Bowden and Nathan Ellis for their 3/4, solid as ever lads.
This was a match that every player contributed to the win, you should all be as proud as i am of that. In those conditions today, that performance was fantastic and things can only get better...
We were players short this month, some of us were not playing our 'A' game and yet we still beat former National Champs, that is great going and encouraging for the future of Bucks pool...
Well done everyone, Up the Bucks, next game is August 6th in Worcestershire