EFA League: Magic Millhillians
The Old Millhillians have one hand on the Aston House Cup and one foot in the First Division after a 2-1 victory in a scintillating encounter with Division 2 title rivals North Oxford at Mill Hill on Sunday. The two clubs have been setting the pace in this league all season and were already well clear of the pack having only dropped a remarkable two pairs out of 45 played between them up until yesterday's match.
The OMs got off to a strong start in all three courts: Vishal Bhimjiyani and Joe Coakley's sharp volleying and athletic under the wall retrieving won them the first game at first pair against Gareth Hoskins and Nick Shaw. At second pair, Jitesh Patel and Sunil Tailor established an 8-2 lead over Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin; they were pegged back to 13-13 but won the crucial final point. The Millhillians also drew first blood at third pair where senior pro Chris Vincent and Justin Lefort, back after long term injury, edged past Chris Davies and Jeremy Hindle 12-10.
North Oxford then struck back: Hoskins and Shaw changed their tactics and reversed the 12-4 scoreline to level at 1-1. Again the second pair went to 13-13 but this time Pulsford and Austin took their game ball chance first to level their match. At third pair, Davies and Hindle were 10-8 ahead when Lefort suffered a recurrence of his previous injury and was unable to continue. With third pair lost, the pressure was now on the top two Millhillian pairs, who both had to win to take the match. They both responded in fine style and in both courts a combination of sharper play, greater consistency and more youthful energy gave the OMs the edge as they pulled away to win both matches 3-1.
North Oxford remain on top of the table, two points ahead of the Millhillians, but with a game in hand and the head to head win in the bag, the OMs are in pole position to win Division 2 for the first time in their history.
The OMs got off to a strong start in all three courts: Vishal Bhimjiyani and Joe Coakley's sharp volleying and athletic under the wall retrieving won them the first game at first pair against Gareth Hoskins and Nick Shaw. At second pair, Jitesh Patel and Sunil Tailor established an 8-2 lead over Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin; they were pegged back to 13-13 but won the crucial final point. The Millhillians also drew first blood at third pair where senior pro Chris Vincent and Justin Lefort, back after long term injury, edged past Chris Davies and Jeremy Hindle 12-10.
North Oxford then struck back: Hoskins and Shaw changed their tactics and reversed the 12-4 scoreline to level at 1-1. Again the second pair went to 13-13 but this time Pulsford and Austin took their game ball chance first to level their match. At third pair, Davies and Hindle were 10-8 ahead when Lefort suffered a recurrence of his previous injury and was unable to continue. With third pair lost, the pressure was now on the top two Millhillian pairs, who both had to win to take the match. They both responded in fine style and in both courts a combination of sharper play, greater consistency and more youthful energy gave the OMs the edge as they pulled away to win both matches 3-1.
North Oxford remain on top of the table, two points ahead of the Millhillians, but with a game in hand and the head to head win in the bag, the OMs are in pole position to win Division 2 for the first time in their history.