Before the dust had even settled on Christmas and New Year, Brackley Town had its first two matches of 2019, even before the first club night of the year! The matches saw the Mens C team take on the Marlborough C team, and the Mixed B team take on Cramic C.

Mens C were looking to reverse the result from the last time these two met in November in the reverse of this fixture, hoping that this time the home advantage would give them the edge as it did for Marlborough when they won the last meeting 5-4 . The night did not get off to the best start for Captain Tim, their 6th player was no where to be seen and so they would have to forfeit those rubbers. Despite this, the men Marcus and Mark came very close to sneaking the first rubber, taking it to 3 games but losing out 23-21 in the final game. Tim and Bob (named man of the match by captain Tim) however got the first rubber on the board for Brackley with a comfortable 21-12 21-13 win. Tim and Bob were not able to continue their run, despite winning the first game of their next rubber but eventually losing the next two putting the match beyond Brackley already at this point. Marcus and Mark did manage to get a rubber on the board, and shout out to Tom who managed to win one game of the rubbers he played on his own.

Final Result: Brackley Town Mens C 2 – Marlborough Mens C 7

Mixed B on the other hand were looking to carry a successful 2018 into 2019 and continue their push for the title. Like the Mens C, the game didn’t start the best with the usually Number 1 man Connor turning up late meant that the team had to play out of order. Henry and Tom opened the game up, and despite leading 6-1, eventually lost 21-18 to put the pressure on the duo, Henry and Tom were able to turn it around in the next two games, to eventually comfortably take the rubber. Meanwhile Maire and Jess battled to a 2-1 defeat, keeping the game level. Connor and Tom continued the mens momentum, taking their rubber 2-0. Jess and Sarah did well, but were unable to stop the match being level again despite going to 3 games again. Maire and Sarah finished off the womens rubber without a rubber, meaning Connor and Henry needed to win to keep the match in the balance. Connor and Henry seemed to follow the same vein as Henry and Tom had earlier, losing the first game but then bouncing back to win the final two games comfortably. Brackley were happy to be level going into the mixed games, notoriously their best section of the match. Sarah and Tom were able to get the team underway in good style, winning 21-11 and 21-12. This meant only one rubber was required by the remaining pairs. Jess and Henry eventually delivered, after taking their rubber to 3 games and winning the final one 21-19. Connor and Maire topped off a fine mixed display with a 2-0 win to finish the match.

Final Result: Brackley Town Mixed B 6 – Cramic Mixed C 3