2017/18 National League Final
Team New England/Philadelphia took on Tuxedo in the final of the National League hosted at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. First up was John Lumley vs Josh Dodgson which started at a quick pace. Both players retrieved well with Dodgson looking good. Two games found a little burst of momentum for Lumley where he went to a 4-2 lead. Dodgson, playing a solid game from the serving end, got it back to 4-3 before Lumley stepped it up and closed out the set 6-3!
Momentum still in Lumley’s favor he pressed on taking an early 3-0 lead. Dodgson, going with high serves and railroads, got back to 1-3 before Lumley went on a roll with accurate target hitting and some superb retrieving. Team New England/Philadelphia took the first match 6-3, 6-1 give them a 1-0 rubber for the night.
Nick Howell vs Tim Chisholm was the second match of the evening. Both players looked good at the start with Chisholm flying around the court to take a 3-2 lead. Chisholm, having been off for quite some time, unleashed his power and accuracy to build a 5-2 lead and eventually closed out the first set 6-3!
Chisholm maintained the pressure with accurate forcing, but Howell was able to control the ball around the court and looked like he could take Chisolm to a third set. Tied at 2 games all, Chisolm dug deep and won four consecutive games, which saw him close out the match 6-3, 6-2 to tie the 2 teams at one rubber each.
With the National League title all coming down to the doubles, both teams were pumped up and ready to go. Howell & Lumley took off to a good start going up 6-2. With all players creating some good pace and mixing up main wall dedans with straight forces, it made for some action-packed tennis. Chisholm & Dodgson fought back and took the lead 7-6–One game away from taking the title. Howell & Lumley used the energy from the crowd and snuck that game to take it to 7 games all! With the pressure on all players, Howell & Lumley kept their composure and closed out the match 8/7 to take the title!
A huge thanks to the Racquet Club of Philadelphia for hosting the final, Robbie Whitehouse for marking, and the players for putting on a top-notch performance!
