Hoppers back on song (16th October)
PRESTON Grasshoppers bounced back after last week's
disappointing loss to record an-other resounding victory, this time at home
against Rochdale.
Hoppers were back to full strength with Marcus
Berrett re-turning at first string and John Lambert recovering from a
virus. Greg Laidler took on Steve
Cummings and was threatening to overwhelm the Rochdale play-er, before
Cummings tried his best to stem the tide. Slowing the rallies down at every
opportunity Cummings stayed in touch but Laidler proved too strong and wore him
down. Laidler won in three games
9-6 9-6 9-5.
Lambert played Gareth Evans at third string and was
in devastating form as he ran out a 9-1, 9-1, 9-1 winner. Danny Massaro again showed great
confidence and tactical awareness withstanding an initial onslaught from Paul
Bolton at fifth string, before controlling af-fairs for the remainder. He
too recorded an emphatic 3-0 win, 9-4 9-4 9-6.
Paul Lord at second string was up against the
Improved Chris Morrison. Lord didn't start well and Morrison was soon two games
to the good. But, Lord is a fighter
and he
pulled back the third. Morrison led 7-2 in the fourth before
Lord staged a remarkable comeback and managed to level the match. But the
exertion took too much out of him and the younger man clinched the win and the
only points on the night for Rochdale.
Berrett continued his imperi-ous ways in the top
match against former Irish champion Derek Ryan. He was never troubled and Ryan
capitulated in three games 9-3, 9-3, 9-3.
Hoppers secured 19 points on the night to claw
background lost last week. With other results going their way, Hoppers now lie
second behind unbeaten Prest-bury and only trail by eight points.
Hoppers II had no game last week but Hoppers III
travelled to Vale of Lune and recorded a splendid 4-1 victory to register their
first win of the season. Jim
Wilson returning to his old club came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at first string.
Steve Elliot lost out in five games
against Michael Thorpe. James
Butterworth won a one-sided match 3-0 at third string, whilst Sunil Dahya and
Garry McDonald both recorded good 3-1 wins to complete the fix-ture. Hoppers
III climb to seventh in
Division Three Central North.
Hoppers IV lost out 3-2 in a close match away at
Lancaster University. Stuart Heaton and Paul Fingleton both ran out 3-0 winners
for Hoppers. Hoppers IV drop to fourth in Division Four North after the
loss.
Hoppers V had a cracking 5-0 whitewash over St Annes
III. Chris Jackson, Eric Best and
John North all won 3-1. Declan
McNeaney edged home 10-9 in a five-set thriller whilst Roger Mitchell completed
the rout with a solid 3-0 win at fifth string. Hoppers V are third in
Di-vision Five North and trail the leaders Blackpool CC by three
points.
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