We just can't beat Shepherd & Dog

Date - Tuesday 1st July 2008

Team - Jimmy, Tina, Simon, Lewis

After what has seemed like an eternity since our last match in the Deben Division, we finally managed to see some league action again thanks to Jimmy's 'running around the countryside' in a valiant effort to get to the match.

Whilst we awaited the arrival of Monsieur and Madame Robinson, the Fletcher pairing got the match underway. Early play saw us race to an 8-0 lead but two heavy ends later saw it stand at 8-7. Some gentle co-ercing of Lewis to concentrate worked wonders and after a dodgy patch, the pair settled down and eventually got a 13-10 win to put us 1-0 up.

By now the Robinson chariot had arrived and its passengers discharged to face a quick warm-up and cool drink before going straight into battle. Jimmy paired himself with Simon, leaving Lewis to partner Tina.

Jimmy and Simon had a bit of a see-saw game with the pendulum swinging one way then the other but a 'big end' and some good pointing by Jimmy saw us earn a 13-7 result. Now it was 2-0 to Aldeburgh and at least we were going to draw the match.

Meanwhile Lewis and Tina were in their own ding-dong battle finally dropping to a 13-8 defeat. Things were tight as we were now just 2-1 ahead with Tina and Jimmy as the final pairing, to face the Hollesley captain on the 'dreaded' middle piste. This proved to be our undoing, coupled with some excellent play by the home pairing, as the Robinsons were on the end of a 13-3 scoreline.

So a 2-2 scoreline was the outcome, just like our season opener against the same side. They remain unbeaten, we remain top (but for how much longer?). A victory is required soon to keep us in the running.

Excellent hospitality and as an enjoyable match as you could hope for at this level.............thank goodness we won't play them in the Play-Offs if we get that far!