After last week's disappointing loss at home to Daventry 4, Northants 2nd team travelled to Lings 3 for the last away game of the season. Starting 5 points ahead of the second placed team, a good points total was needed to keep ahead of the pack.

Making his debut at 2, Pete Wheat played Lings captain Simon Hughes and was quickly into his stride, taking the first game 9-4. Pete's consistency and early shot-making had the Lings player running to all parts of the court and proceeded to take the rubber, losing only 4 more points in the process.

As the team was with without Earl, Pete Rhodes at 3, decided to take up the "Earl Harrison Value for Money Award" with an exhausting game against Joe Fulford. Coming in to the game, not long after suffering a bout of sickness, Pete lost the first on the tie break. Slowing down his game, he then comfortably took the second to level. Unfortunately the calm Pete was then replaced by "Pete the Power" and got drawn into a style of game to suit his opponent, going down 5-9. Showing his "Viking" prowess, Pete dug in to level again. However despite having a comfortable lead in the last game, the tank was empty and the Ling's player just had a few more fumes left to get over the line, winning the rubber and levelling the match - a nerve-wracking game to watch, Pete was out on his feet at the end having given all for the cause - those 2 points gained may be all important by 10:00 pm next week.

Andy Fraser was next on at 5 against Richie Forde - in a game where the frame took a lot of credit for some of the points, Andy took the first game after Richie called set 1 on the tie-break. In a very good-humoured game, where "Sorry" seemed to be used a number of times, Andy managed to take the rubber 3-1 - all of his winning games reaching the tie break.

Meanwhile on the other court, Ian Shirley was locked in a "fractious" battle at 4 against Stuart Millward. Unfortunately with both players debating some of the marker calls, too much needle came to the fore and at 0-2 down (both close games at 7-9), the game threatened to boil over. The Captains then got involved, much to the annoyance of the Lings player, in reminding both players that the decisions of the marker should be respected. Unfortunately Ian was unable to mount a comeback and went down 0-3.

This left the match in the balance and up to Martin Thompson at 1 to overcome Mark Liniers. Much to the frustration of the rest of the team, Martin lost the first game, by developing a loving relationship with the "tin". After a good talking to by Andy Fraser, Martin clicked into gear in the seond game, taking it 9-1. The third game was the pivotal game, with Martin starting to find the tin again, however he dug in and ground out the game 9-7. This seemed to deflate the Lings player and Martin closed out the rubber and match.

With Kettering Rugby  gaining 2 more points, the maths is simple - a 4-1 win at home next week will guarantee the league win - 15 points - otherwise we are relying on other results.

Your Support next wednesday against Saints would be gratefully appreciated.