CSSC Quadrangular 2023 – 1-2 September 2023.
With last year’s event cancelled the Civil Service were very pleased to resume their annual fixture against the Police Force, Fire Service and UK Armed Forces. The CSSC men’s team travelled to Edgbaston Priory and it was good to have a few new faces in the team with some young(er) players joining the old stalwarts. The team featured new players Joe Shill, Craig Webb and Ben Mann joining James Hodson, Tim Burrell and Ethan Thornton.
CSSC vs Police Force
The first match was against the Police who had won the event for the past few years, and are always well stocked with good players. This year was no different and the CSSC team knew they had a tough task. First on were Ethan Thornton (5) and Craig Webb (4). Ethan never really hitting his stride was taken out by his talented opponent. Craig put up a good fight and after settling into the match almost took the 3rd game. It was all too late and Craig also went down 3-0. Looking to get CSSC back on track were Ben Mann (3) And Tim Burrell (2). Ben lost 3-0, a score line that didn’t reflect how close the match was. With Tim losing the first game it was looking like his match would follow suit but he managed to take the next 2 games and sneak over the line in the 4th to take a 3-1 win. Finally CSSC had some points on the board. Last on was James Hodson (1). Much like the previous matches James put up a good fight but couldn’t quite squeeze a game from his opponent, going down in a close 3-0 match.
A 4-1 loss to the Police Force with 2 matches left to play.
CSSC vs Fire Service
Having suffered a brutal defeat earlier the CSSC team were looking to get back on track. Joe Shill came in at number 5 and immediately got the team off to a winning start, comfortably seeing off his opponent with some determined running and skilful shots. Craig Webb and Ben Mann continued the teams winning ways with Craig running out a 3-0 winner and Ben, having suffered a little wobble to drop the 3rd game, came out on the right end of a 3-1 win. That meant CSSC had won the match, all that was left was for James and Tim to play the remaining matches. Tim managed a close 3-0 win while James had a real tussle at the number 1 string. James lost the first only to draw level at 1-1. A close loss in the 3rd was followed by a comfortable win in the 4th from James to take the game to 2-2. With nothing between the players as they each traded points it was only at the very end of the game where the Fire Service player just edged ahead with some canny winners to take the game 11-8, and match 3-2.
A 4-1 win for the CSSC.
CSSC vs UK Armed Services
With a win and a loss CSSC were looking to win their last match while hoping the Police Force would slip up against the Fire Service. First on were Joe and Craig. Joe started slow but after just about winning the first took control of the match to win 3-0. Craig had a very tough match but managed to keep his nose ahead throughout, winning 3-0 in a very close encounter. With Ben also winning 3-0 each of the debutants had an excellent couple of days. Last on were Tim and James looking to wrap up the win, which they duly did - each winning 3-0.
A 5-0 win for CSSC but not enough to catch the Police who, having won all 3 matches, were once again crowned champions. CSSC came a very creditable 2nd with the UK Armed Services in 3rd and Fire Service in 4th.
Final scores:
Police force: 58
CSSC: 42
UK Armed Forces: 21
Fire Service: 8
