Week 4: Places and Report

When a storm arrives

Today, Thunder & Lightning Forbes invoked the weather gods. At 11am he rode into the sports hall on a cloud of guile and gusto which had big Gary Little scurrying for cover as the young man handed out an 11-6 lesson in the opening game. Wins for Gary in their next two encounters may have led the sensei to imagine that his opponent had fluked that first win, but the fourth in their series saw Forbes wield his Blutenkirsche blade like the Stormbringer sword of Norse mythology, taking the victory by 11-8 and marking the first time that Gary has lost two to the same opponent on the same day in this league. The purists are said to be now at each others' throats, some claiming a new revolution, others insisting that what they witnessed was no more than a Thunder & Lightning flash in the pan.

Quick Wrist Little showed himself undeterred by Forbes' form, dishing out pain here there and everywhere while nary breaking a sweat. A steady 21 points in Round One and 21 in Round Two showed the class of the old fox, taking max wins in his series v Kane,  Morton and Hemphill. Little declared himself satisfied with his overall performance and, in an unguarded remark, suggested the purists go pleasure each other in a shed.

   

And what of Maple Grief? Consistency is the Canadian's hallmark. He pulled a haul of 15 points in round one and 15 in round two - those totals exactly the same as his previous week's harvest. And let's not think that consistent means dull: the self-styled "friendly bear" unleashed some outstanding shots today, demolishing Bruce "the Spin Doctor" Morton in all four of their games and conceding nothing in his series with Angry Wrists Kane. Impressive stuff from a player only recently blinking in the sunlight after 16 months in rehab. He found no joy in his series v Little, but, notably, grabbed the Table Blades Fun Cup silverware from big Gary's hands today, resulting in scenes of pandemonium not witnessed since the fall of Saigon in '75.

Kane and Morton struggled today. The former whining about unaligned chakra and the latter clearly fatigued after a hectic weekend of umpteen gigs and alcohol. Nevertheless, Kane, when in the mood, shows himself to be a formidable force with a frightening return of serve and still the most aggressive player in this league.

Thrashing Of The Day: Forbes 11 - 1 Morton.

Series Of The Day: Forbes v Little (11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8)

Time allowed for a few additional official matches. Those results are noted and will be added in time. The current placings as shown below reflect today's points tallies in the regular four-games series, added to previously existing points.

So, The Table Blades League currently looks like this:

Little 235

Hemphill 141

Kane 102

Forbes 101

Morton 89

Hemphill cannot attend the next meet, citing complications after some blood transfusion malarkey. It is anticipated that the other Table Blades will get together for a "friendly" meet. Date & time will be organised by Gary.

Have a good week - 'til next week!