Superleague 2019

09/07/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds beat Highgate 1 5-1

L.Brock & N.Turnbull beat E.Taylor & R.Morgan 15-8

C.Austin & K.Hird beat G.Chapman & D.Lioubimov 15-14

L.Brock & K.Hird beat G.Chapman & R.Morgan 15-10

C.Austin & N.Turnbull lost to E.Taylor & D.Lioubimov 3-15

L.Brock & C.Austin beat E.Taylor & G.Chapman 15-5

N.Turnbull & K.Hird beat R.Morgan & D.Lioubimov 15-9

Laurie Brock reports: The Thoroughbreds marched to their second Superleague title in three years last night with a convincing win over Highgate (Ed Taylor, Guy Chapman, Ralph Morgan, Dan Lioubimov) despite Highgate's bringing in Ed Taylor at 1 in the absence of one or two of their big names.

In the first rotation, Nathan and I got off to a bad start (0-3) against Taylor and Morgan but slowly established control, with Nathan doing an excellent job of keeping the ball away from Taylor's key "weapon" areas and returning well. A couple of big hands in the middle and towards the end saw us ease away from 4-4 to a 15-8 win.

Meanwhile, a thriller was unfolding on the other court, as, after a good start, Karen and Chris found themselves 6-11 down to Chapman and Lioubimov. Having dragged themselves back to 11-13, several chances came and went and when Highgate reached step, it looked like the match was heading to 1-1. Karen and Chris had other ideas, however, cutting nervelessly at game point down and then producing a run of fine cut returns which, combined with some rather generous errors from Chapman/Lioubimov, saw them snatch an unlikely (but crucial) 15-14 win.

In the second rotation, Chris and Nathan had perhaps a rare "off" game against Taylor and Lioubimov, struggling on cut returns. With Taylor finding some form (at which point he can be very hard to stop), Highgate pushed on for a 15-3 win which swung the "points" balance firmly in the other direction.

Fortunately, team captain Spencer's excellent poker face meant that Karen and I were unaware of this on the other court, where we were involved in a tense match against Chapman and Morgan. Despite a very good start (7-2), we remained stuck on 7 points for what felt like about three hours, and the match was in the balance at 9-8. However, we ultimately managed to pull away with some solid play at the end to secure a 15-10 win, to leave the Thoroughbreds 3-1 up (but only one point ahead overall).

Any nerves were quickly dispelled in the final rotation, however, as the team saved its best for last. First, Nathan and Karen charged to a very impressive 15-5 win against Morgan and Lioubimov (in double-quick time) to secure the tie. Finally, Chris and I, again benefiting from a good start, held off the mid-way challenge of Taylor and Chapman to win 15-9.

02/07/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds beat Dossi's Desperados 5-1

S.Cooley & C.Austin beat G.Thomason & C.Hughes 15-8

L.Brock & N.Turnbull beat A.Theodossi & J.Doe 15-3

S.Cooley & N.Turnbull lost to A.Theodossi & C.Hughes 10-15

L.Brock & C.Austin beat G.Thomason & J.Doe 15-12

S.Cooley & L.Brock beat G.Thomason & A.Theodossi 15-4

C.Austin & N.Turnbull beat C.Hughes & J.Doe 15-14

Laurie Brock reports: Round 1

With Ant Theodossi playing at 2 for the Desperados, Nathan and I had a potentially difficult match first up against him and James Doe. Fortunately, Nathan (clearly in peak nick and physical fitness following a recent workout in 43 degrees in Grillon) produced one of the finest single sets of fives I have seen, from any player, as I spent the majority of the match applauding from the back of the Court. I am struggling to recall a cut return he missed - and, almost entirely as a result of his efforts, we won 15-3 after being 0-2 down. This left us a fair bit of time to watch Seb and Chris against George Thomason and Chris Hughes in the other match. This began in fairly nip and tuck fashion (at one point it was 6-5) but Seb and Chris pulled away to gain a commanding lead at the mid-way point which they never relinquished, triumphing 15-8.

Round 2

After a good start, Chris and I made perhaps rather heavy weather of our match against Thomason and Doe, going through what Seb rather generously described as a "period in the middle where a few points got away from you". Whilst we were always (I think) in control, we struggled to break clear until a Thomason broken shoelace when we were 10-7 up provided a welcome opportunity to reset, move 13-7 up and eventually cross the line 15-10. Sadly I did not see any of Seb and Nathan's match against Theodossi and Hughes but it was evidently a terrific and close game, with Seb and Nathan going down only narrowly 12-15.

Round 3

For the second time in the evening, I found myself largely making appreciative noises from the back of the Court as Seb played in his customary superb and effortless style, including some terrific gets off the back bricks. We got off to a very good start (10-2) and were able to hold on despite a late Thomason/Theodossi rally, winning 15-4. However, our move to the pub was (predictably) delayed by the match of the night which was unfolding on the other Court. After a bad start (0-3), Chris and Nathan had built a useful lead (9-6 and then 12-9). However, some determined rallies from Chris H and James saw them bring it back to 13-13 and then, inevitably, to 14-14. James hit two brilliant cuts in the hole and it seemed our chance might have gone, especially when Chris H was lining up a top step smash on their serve. However, Nathan had time for one more moment of brilliance, producing an incredible scrambling return from under the front wall to save match point, following which a thrilling victory was clinched as a Doe shot flew long.

18/06/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds beat Westway 1 6-0

R.Houlden & C.Austin beat T.McCahon & T.Campbell 15-8

L.Brock & K.Hird beat J.Black & F.Lebon 15-10

R.Houlden & K.Hird beat J.Black & T.Campbell 15-3

L.Brock & C.Austin beat T.McCahon & F.Lebon 15-5

R.Houlden & L.Brock beat T.McCahon & J.Black 15-4

C.Austin & K.Hird beat T.Campbell & F.Lebon 15-10

The Thoroughbreds continued their charge into the play-offs at Westway last night with a resounding victory over Westway 1, which sees them leapfrogging the home team into third place in the table and a semi-final against Highgate, a re-run of the season opener, which resulted in the narrowest of defeats. The Thoroughbreds finally had the dream team of Brock & Houlden in harness, with Chris Austin and Karen Hird completing the line-up and modelling this year's team livery, complete with retro Hindle-style vest for Riki. The result against the opposition team of NOEFC's own Tom McCahon, Julian Black and Bryanstonians Tancred Campbell and Frank Lebon was never in doubt and thought now turn to the last four. Highgate will be a tough challenge but at least the team have avoided tournament favourites the Desperados. For now anyway...

18/06/19 at Westway: Aston House Showponies lost to Apostles 0-6

S.Shah & R.Thorogood lost to E.Hewens & M.Street 9-15

S.Chapman & T.Bush lost to T.Fletcher & S.Warren-Thomas 0-15

S.Shah & T.Bush lost to T.Fletcher & M.Street 8-15

S.Chapman & R.Thorogood lost to E.Hewens & S.Warren-Thomas 14-15

S.Shah & S.Chapman lost to E.Hewens & T.Fletcher 6-15

R.Thorogood & T.Bush lost to M.Street & S.Warren-Thomas 4-15

The Showponies finished their season at Westway last night with another fighting performance but were unlucky to come up against an Apostles side that was perhaps rather stronger than necessary for a Division 2 clash. The Showponies were bolstered once again by Old Westminster Sahil Shah and also by returning captain Spencer Chapman, but they - alongside Robert Thorogood and Toby Bush - were unable to find a way past the formidable quartet of Ed Hewens, Tom Fletcher, Martin Street and Simon Warren-Thomas. Spencer and Robert came closest in the second round as they squandered a couple of chances at 14-13 and 14-14 all before losing to Tom & Martin. Despite not making it into the top four for the Division 2 play-offs, the Showponies team has been a huge success, providing opportunities for lots of players to gain valuable competitive experience.

05/06/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds beat EFA Superstars 6-0

R.Houlden & K.Hird beat S.Shah & R.Morgan 15-7

H.Gibson-Leitao & S.Thatcher beat K.Lim & P.Gibbs 15-5

R.Houlden & S.Thatcher beat K.Lim & R.Morgan 15-6

H.Gibson-Leitao & K.Hird beat S.Shah & P.Gibbs 15-10

R.Houlden & H.Gibson-Leitao beat S.Shah & K.Lim 15-4

K.Hird & S.Thatcher beat R.Morgan & P.Gibbs 15-11

The Thoroughbreds are beginning to hit their stride as the poay-offs approach and the long-awaited debut of Kinnaird finalist and new signing Riki Houlden saw AHT through to a 6-0 win over the EFA Superstars. There was also a debut for Oxford Brookes student Hal Gibson-Leitao - another very useful addition to the Aston House stable - and with the Superleague experience of Karen Hird and Stephen Thatcher shoring up the bottom of the order, the Thoroughbreds made no mistakes in seeing off the threat of a useful EFA side. The win moves them up to third in the table and right in the mix as the regular season moves towards the business end.

05/06/19 at Westway: Aston House Showponies lost to Westway 2 2-4

H.Asquith & R.Wood lost to T.McCahon & K.Mickowski 9-15

A.Bishop & F.Kerr beat D.McCahon & Josh.S 15-9

H.Asquith & F.Kerr lost to D.McCahon & K.Mickowski 10-15

A.Bishop & R.Wood lost to T.McCahon & Josh.S 8-15

H.Asquith & A.Bishop lost to T.McCahon & D.McCahon 3-15

R.Wood & F.Kerr beat K.Mickowski & Josh.S 15-12

The Showponies were also in action again last night and again found themselves close to a good result without quite being able to clinch the deal. Standing in their way was North Oxford star Tom McCahon, who was able to marshal the rest of this team - his dad David and two Westway youngsters - to a 4-2 victory. Taking a game off Tom was always going to be a tough ask for the AHS quartet of Harry Asquith, Andy Bishop, Rachel Wood and Faye Kerr but Faye picked up two good wins alongside Andy and Rachel to add to her collection and keep the Showponies in with an outside chance of qualifying for the knockout stages if they can produce a strong finish in the final match.

28/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds beat Lionhearts 5-1

L.Brock & N.Turnbull beat A.Illingworth & E.Habershon 15-4

C.Austin & S.Thatcher beat A.Abrahams & R.Lam 15-6

L.Brock & S.Thatcher beat A.Abrahams & E.Habershon15-5

C.Austin & N.Turnbull beat A.Illingworth & R.Lam 15-2

L.Brock & C.Austin lost to A.Illingworth & A.Abrahams 11-15

N.Turnbull & S.Thatcher beat E.Habershon & R.Lam 15-0

The Thoroughbreds got their Superleague campaign properly up and running at Westway last night with a convincing 5-1 win over the Lionhearts. Nathan Turnbull & Stephen Thatcher at three and four proved to be too strong for their Lionhearts counterparts throughout, with the only slip up coming in the final round as Laurie Brock & Chris Austin lost narrowly to Alex Illingworth and Alex Abrahams, having dominated in the first two rounds.

28/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Showponies drew with Exiles 3-3

S.Shah & A.Bishop beat R.Morgan & S.Kelly 15-10

R.Thorogood & T.Bush lost to E.Gosnell & W.Seath 13-15

S.Shah & T.Bush beat E.Gosnell & S.Kelly 15-5

R.Thorogood & A.Bishop lost to R.Morgan & W.Seath 11-15

S.Shah & R.Thorogood beat R.Morgan & E.Gosnell 15-4

A.Bishop & T.Bush lost to S.Kelly & W.Seath 12-15

The Showponies got their season going with a 3-3 draw against the Exiles in a match where 4-2 or even 5-1 might have been a better reflection of the relative performances of the two teams. Newcomer Sahil Shah strengthened the line-up this week and led the way at the top of the order, partnering Andy, Robert and Toby to three convincing victories. The Exiles strength lay in the depth of their batting order, and the various combinations of Andy, Robert and Toby were unable to find a win against Edwin Gosnell, Stephen Kelly and Will Seath with scores of 13,11 and 12. Nevertheless, this was a strong performance and keeps the Showponies in with a chance of a top four finish in Division 2.

15/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds lost to Dossi's Desperados 1-5

L.Brock & K.Hird lost to A.Theodossi & A.Joyce 8-15

N.Turnbull & I.Kidd lost to C.Hughes & J.Doe 5-15

L.Brock & I.Kidd lost to C.Hughes & A.Joyce 12-15

N.Turnbull & K.Hird lost to A.Theodossi & J.Doe 4-15

L.Brock & N.Turnbull beat A.Theodossi & C.Hughes 15-8

K.Hird & I.Kidd lost to A.Joyce & J.Doe 5-15

For the second week in a row, a young and slightly patched up Thoroughbreds side found themselves taking on one of the big beasts of the 2019 Superleague as defending champions Dossi's Desperados swaggered into town with a powerful line-up. Ant Theodossi, Chris Hughes and Andrew Joyce presented a fearsome top three for the plucky Aston House underdogs to take on and with James Doe in support, finding a way to win a point or two was always going to be hard. Laurie again led the line for the Thoroughbreds, with Nathan and Karen moving up a place and Iain Kidd making a top flight debut in the toughest of circumstances. The team acquitted themselves well in the first two rounds, making inroads on the scoreboard without ever quite threatening to win a game, Nathan & Karen's 12 points against Theodossi & Doe the best of the bunch. The highlight of the Aston House evening came in the final round, however, as Laurie moved into overdrive and Nathan played a blinder to catch Theodossi & Hughes napping with a convincing 15-8 victory, securing a well-deserved consolation point.

15/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Showponies lost to Coach & Horses 1-5

S.Thatcher & T.Bush lost to J.Shamash & R.Marwood 11-15

A.Bishop & F.Kerr lost to A.Field & D.Thackeray 8-15

S.Thatcher & F.Kerr lost to A.Field & R.Marwood 8-15

A.Bishop & T.Bush lost to J.Shamash & D.Thackeray 7-15

S.Thatcher & A.Bishop lost to J.Shamash & A.Field 5-15

T.Bush & F.Kerr beat R.Marwood & D.Thackeray 15-9

If the Thoroughbreds line-up on Wednesday was experimental, the Showponies were even more inexperienced as they took on the Westway-based Coach & Horses in Division 2 on Wednesday night. Stephen Thatcher headed up the Aston House starting four, with 2018 tournament revelation Andy Bishop at two and Superleague debutants Toby Bush and Faye Kerr in at three and four. As with the Thoroughbreds on the adjacent courts, the Showponies battled hard in the first two rounds, getting close but not close enough to register a win. The reward came in the final round with a resounding 15-9 win for Toby & Faye, a terrific performance which will do their confidence no end of good and hopefully set them up for bigger and better things further down the road.

07/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Thoroughbreds lost to Highgate 1 2-4

L.Brock & N.Turnbull lost to M.Kovar & G.Chapman 14-15

C.Austin & K.Hird lost to J.Marks & R.Morgan 13-15

L.Brock & K.Hird beat J.Marks & G.Chapman 15-13

C.Austin & N.Turnbull beat M.Kovar & R.Morgan 15-12

L.Brock & C.Austin lost to M.Kovar & J.Marks 14-15

N.Turnbull & K.Hird lost to G.Chapman & R.Morgan 13-15

The 2019 Superleague season got underway at Westway last night with an absolute humdinger of a double-header between the full Aston House stable and the Highgate first and second strings. The Thoroughbreds were able to put out a strong quartet despite the injury-induced absences of Nick Shaw (a Superleague season-ending leg break) and Captain Chapman (soon to be back on court after his broken wrist) and the unavailability of new star signing Riki Houlden, hopefully a Thoroughbred legend in the making. Riki's Westminster team-mate and long-serving Aston House number one Laurie Brock was on court and leading from the front in the company of Chris Austin, Karen Hird and Nathan Turnbull. Houlden's absence was mirrored by that of Jonny Ho for the Highgate team, who were otherwise able to call on most of their big names with Matt Kovar, Joe Marks, Guy Chapman and Ralph Morgan all in the line-up. There have been some epic Superleague matches between these two teams in recent years and this was no exception with the losing pair in every single game scoring at least 12 points. A draw would probably have been a fair result but unfortunately the Thoroughbreds just came off on the wrong side of the two 15-14 matches, resulting in a 4-2 defeat, a disappointing result in the end but a performance which shows that the Thoroughbreds have every chance of featuring at the business end of the competition in a few weeks time.

07/05/19 at Westway: Aston House Showponies lost to Highgate 2 0-6

I.Kidd & M.Chinery lost to O.Hallam & D.Lioubimov 3-15

S.Thatcher & R.Thorogood lost to Ab.Bhattacharya & T.Halstead 9-15

I.Kidd & R.Thorogood lost to Ab.Bhattacharya & D.Lioubimov 7-15

S.Thatcher & M.Chinery lost to O.Hallam & T.Halstead 12-15

I.Kidd & S.Thatcher lost to O.Hallam & Ab.Bhattacharya 11-15

M.Chinery & R.Thorogood lost to D.Lioubimov & T.Halstead 12-15

The Aston House second string - with three debut-making Showponies - were unlucky to come up against a very strong Highgate side featuring the likes of Ollie Hallam and Abhishek Bhattacharya. After a slightly slow start - Matt & Iain hitting as many shots in the hole as they scored points in their first game - the quartet of Iain, Matt, Robert Thorogood and Stephen Thatcher performed impressively and were unlucky not to have scored at least one win by the end of the evening, reaching double figures in three of the last four games and putting Highgate under pressure without quite making the breakthrough. All four Showponies will be better for an early taster of course and distance in this competition and should return next time chomping at the bit and ready to romp home against their next opponents. Special kudos to Matt for staying in London to play before catching the last train back to Cardiff ready to be back to work on Wednesday morning!