Barker-Camm Cup 2008/09 ‘A’ and ‘C’ Grade Final Match Reports

Ben Matthews writes:

‘A’ Grade

Simon Barker and David Watson battled it out for the Barker-Camm Cup for the title of ‘Club Singles Champion’ on Sunday 17^th May. Simon, with nine titles in the last ten years, was aiming to retain the title, but the form guide suggested a Watson victory.

Simon dominated the start of the first set – and hit the marker on the forehead – and despite David fighting back managed to close it out 6/2. This situation was reversed in the second set, although Simon’s stronger fightback saw the second set being closer than the first, David winning 6/4 following a five-minute long deuce-advantage-deuce struggle in the final game.

David quickly stopped Simon’s comeback by winning the first two games of the final set. However Simon won the third game, then four more to open up a 5/2 lead. David dug deep to win another game, but Simon wrapped it up in the next game to take the match and the championship 6/2, 4/6, 6/3.

This is Simon’s tenth club championship win, which is amazing achievement by any standard.

‘C’ Grade

After the excitement of the ‘A’ Grade Final, David Durham and Gareth Quarry stepped onto court (an hour late) for the final of the ‘C’ Grade.

After sharing the opening two games, David and Gareth contested the longest game of the match – lasting a full 15 minutes with countless deuces – David finally edging it for a 2/1 lead. There then followed a breathtaking display of target hitting from David. His opponent could only stand and watch ball after ball pass him, followed by the sound of the perspex in front of Henry VIII’s nose! After a very close start to the match, David streaked ahead to take the first set 6/2.

Gareth changed his tactics in the second set, laying chases and spending more time at the service end, only for David to relentlessly hit the dedans from the hazard end! David soon powered his way through to win the match and the championship 6/1 6/2.

Congratulations to David on a very solid performance and commiserations to Gareth, who unfortunately caught David on a good day!