2010 Magic Touch Knock Out Cup
The 2010 Magic Touch JPA Cup Final was played last evening at the Weighbridge and it was the Vagabonds who were the victors of a close fought match. It is perhaps appropriate for Neil Selby, who not only suggested the introduction of this competition, but also donated the trophy, to have his team's name on it!
On their route to the final against Taylormade, Vagabonds captained by Michel Morel had drawn all three rounds and come through each time courtesy of their superior points difference. Playing Jolly Le Hocquers in the first round, they came through by just 3 points (66 – 63). They then played Country Gang (56 – 46) and in the semi final Kerplunk when the difference was 7 points (64 – 54).
Taylormade in turn had an unusual path to the final. Their first opponents were Beeches Old Boules who unfortunately forfeited the match as they could not field a full team. They then took on St Mary’s in atrocious conditions and their opponents felt the conditions unplayable thus they too withdrew and Taylormade found themselves against Admirals in their semi final. This was a long match but Taylormade had the final edge and beat Admirals 4-2 to secure their place in the 2010 final.
So to the final; Vagabonds players were Michel Morel, Helene Retrosi, Neil Selby and Chris Pinel. They were up against Taylormade captained by Keaven Taylor who was joined by his wife Linda, Rita le Brocq and Doug Woodley.
Michel and Helene took first points in the opening doubles but then Linda and Doug pulled steadily away and indeed, the Vagabonds pair did not get another point. This gave Taylormade an ideal start with a win and +11 points! Meanwhile in the other doubles the reverse was happening! Taylormade’s Keaven and Rita started nervously and found themselves 0-8 before they secured their first point. Vagabonds Neil and Chris increased their lead to 11 -1 before Taylormade staged a comeback to sit 7-11 but they could not avoid the loss which balanced the match at 1 game all.
Fresh from their fist win, in the reverse doubles Linda and Doug took a 3-0 lead before a ‘fire’ by Neil in which the cochonnet was moved to the side resulted in 5 points for Vagabonds. Neil and Chris capitalised on this and continued to win the game with Taylormade gaining just one further point. Ironically, yet again, the other doubles was heading in the opposite direction and it was Rita and Keaven who took the lead and this they maintained beating Michel and Helene 13-3.
With the match tied at 2 games all Taylormade had the edge at this stage with a 37 points to Vagabonds 31.
Neil Selby who had been playing well all evening played the single for Vagabonds against Doug Woodley for Taylormade. While Doug placed accurately he was no match for the high level of play displayed by Neil whose firing ensured he won the game 13-1. This now gave Vagabonds the advantage on points as they were now 6 ahead.
The triple started steadily with low scoring ends as both teams took care to keep the game tight. After 4 ends it was just 2 all, but then Vagabonds moved to 7-2. They now needed just one more point to ensure that Taylormade could not beat them even if they were to win the game. In the event Vagabonds did this in style gaining 5 points on the next end and in the final end, where the cochonnet had been shot right to the corner of the terrain at some 18 metres, they took the final point to give Vagabonds the match 4-2 and the trophy.
See the photos of the final in the Gallery..