Open handicap James +3 Nick-3
Having spent two hours in traffic, Nick was never at the races in the first game, not even closing the handicap gap and losing 15, -1.
In the second,James raced to 10/4 before Nick hauled him back steadily and took it 15/13. Jamescame right back and was at 10/3 before Nick appeared to be giving up on the game - saving himself. 15/4 to James.
At this point both players appeared spent intermittently. And it was nip and tuck until Nick edged it 15/13.
2-2 Nick blasted out of the blocks in the 5th, rapidly closing the handicap and stretching out to an 8/5 lead. However, surprisingly for a handicap, the lower ranked player pulled out his best stuff, clawed his way back to level and after a couple of lung-busting rallies James took the title 15/12. Phew. Worth noting that the Knole Park supporters greatly outnumbered the Poultwood ones. Some shouts of encouragement even coming from the other court. Nick will have to wait until Winter is over before he can again challenge for the Honours Board.
