Due to a quirk in the way our Wednesday Ipswich competition operates, I was able to play the number 2 player in my team in competition. Because we were playing another team from the same club, and my counterpart in the team was out he was able to draw on my team member, a young player with heaps of potential.

Before anything, I had to make sure that i didn't lose becasue the embarrassment would have been too much. More importantly I can't have any young whipper snappers taking over my number 1 spot without one helluva fight.

Sunil, is about 15 or 16 and has heaps of ability. He is just starting to mature physically so there is a lot more strength coming into his game. He is probably the best player on the 2nd line of the competition. Last week he played reasonably poorly, despite winning. He was waiting too long to hit the ball, allowing his opponent to get back in position. He rectified this somewhat in the final two games of the match, looking more impressive in doing so.

He must have taken my advice to heart because tonite he came out firing on all cylinders, attacking the ball at every opportunity. Although I won the first he was very competitive. I thought that i might get on top early in the second, but it was the other way around. I might have went short too early, but he was in sizzling form.  He hit dead nicks from just about anywhere on he court. Not only that he was hitting off the frame as well as off the strings - he simply could not miss. Every time I looked like getting over the top of him - another nick -he must have hit at least eight or ten!

I really had to lift in the third ot ensure there was no repeat of his efforts in the second. I got it a little deeper, was more positive in my stroke making and was able to get on top. His recovery of the ball was fantastic, but most rallies ended with him eventually coughing up a loose shot which I could put away. He also showed signs of starting to miss his nicks, which was a relief - it would have been a miracle if he could have continued at the level of the second.

By the fourth he started to tire a little, a few mistakes started to creep into his game and I started to hit a little more freely .  To his credit he fought on to the end. I thought he played exceptionally well and that I had to produce a high level of play to defeat him - he may just have played me into some good form. I am definitely moving a lot better from a few weeks ago and some of the technical changes I have been making are starting to gel.

We will find out tomorrow night if that is the case! - I will probably need it as the new comp I am playing is of a much higher standard. How to add images to Members' Forum posts and replies here...

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