England's Heroes Return Victorious

The banter took centre stage for months. Scotlands Team Captain Kris Soutar spoke of his band of boys becoming men. England had other ideas. Once the banter stopped and play began there appeared at first only one winner.....England.

First up and played in reverse order from 5 down to 1 was Englands LionHeart Justin Sherring. Having coughed up blood on the day of the match and been bed ridden for a week prior to the tie, The G.O.A.T and now England Captain asked "You ok mate?"

"Wild Glaswegians couldn't keep me away" was his humble response. And after taking a two sets to love lead against Jordan Gray, the 6'6 Scot booming down serves from dizzying heights, Justin was well in control of the first rubber. But this Scot refused to bow down to the world number 5. He started blasting balls from corner to corner and exploiting any opportunity with his net coverage. Sherring continued to maintain an excellent length though, throughout, and at 2-3 in the 5th set after losing sets 3 and 4 with only one game to his name in each, Sherring outlasted the younger and supposedly fitter man with some trademark returning and gritty nerve. After going 0-30 down while serving for it, Justin took the next four points in stunning style and silenced the Scottish crowd.

Next up for Scotland, Alan Macdonald. After a drubbing in the first set Macdonald quickly learned how to get the necessary spin on the ball to move Marcus Willis out of his comfort zone and the Scottish leftie was hitting glorious winners from every corner of the court. Taking the second set and pushing Marcus to the edge of his ability, Macdonald ran out of ideas after Marcus bunted him into submission. Bringing out the Gershunkenstein forehand as a last resort, Willis edged Macdonald in 4 amazing sets of touchtennis. 

Soutar looked rightfully dejected and Scottish fans started to exit the arena as their hopes were crumbling. But all hope was not lost. With time running out 2 singles matches were put on concurrently and Lloyd Greatorex-Watsn took to court against Jordan Bull, while Jonathan "BIG GUNS" Lints took on Matt Golledge. 

Golledge came out swinging. Like a moron. Lints took a few seconds to get into his stride and then utterly humiliated the English number 3 selection that critics had abused Ahmad over. Nick Cavaday was particularly scathing when asked but later said "It takes a big man to admit your mistakes. Luckily Rashid has rung me and apologised. I may now make myself available for future Angelini Cup matches as long as my schedule permits it."

Scotlands Lints gave the immature fool from England just 3 games in a one sided drubbing. 

On the adjacent court, Lloyd Greatorex-Watson was busy trying to look too much like Federer and despite being two sets to one up, holding matchpoints and utterly dominating for long spells, he grasped defeat from the jaws of victory as Jordan Bull swung the momentum for just long enough to put the younger man on tilt. Jordan Bull had all but sealed it for England when Elliott Mould then took to court against Oliver Darbyshire. 

Tension had eased right up until the second set when Darbyshire, Scotlands number 1, elevated his game to new heights and pushed the World Number 1 back on his heels. The whole tie was suddenly swinging again despite England being 3-1 up in rubbers. A loss here would mean 2 doubles matches would decide it. Despite being two points from dropping the set though, Elliott Mould proved why he is nicknamed Enrique...because he can be your HERO baby. He brought out the spank guns and didnt look back. Darbyshire cut a rather disconsulate and dejected figure as he limped through the 3rd set without troubling the scoreboard. 

England had now put the tie beyond reach and the two doubles matches went from being live to dead and although some magnificent shot-making featured in both, they remained a sideshow to the main event where England emerged victorious and retained the Angelini Cup.

Scotland may have lost this tie, but they proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that they have some of the best touchtennis players in the world emerging. Its a shame their captain was such a numpty! 

Final Scores

Justin Sherring vs Jordan Gray 4-0,4-2,1-4,1-4,5-3
Marcus Willis vs Alan Macdonald 4-0,4-5,5-3,5-4 
Jonathan Lints vs Matt Golledge 4-1,4-1,4-1
Jordan Bull vs Lloyd Greatorex-Watson 2-4.5-4,1-4,5-4.4-1 
Elliott Mould vs Oliver darbyshire 4-1, 5-4, 4-0

Doubles

Jonathan Lints/Alan MacDonald bt Marcus Willis/Jordan bull 4-2 4-2
Elliott Mould/Matt Golledge bt Oliver Darbyshire &Lloyd Greatorex-Watson 5-3 4-5 10-2 
 

Robert Anderson reporting for touchtennis.com