The Surrey team went to Chatham hoping to repeat last years victory. Ray Scott and Martin Lambert returned to the side following injury and illness, with Paul Brooks replacing Eddie Hudson.
The game didn’t start well as Ian Hubbard showed his normal form against Surrey to win the opener. This was followed by losses for most of the front end of the surrey team putting the home side in an early 6-1 lead. The team recovered to end the first set 7-4 down and well within touching distance.
The second set looked like it would follow the first as Kent won the first 3 frames. This time the Surrey recovery started early but still lost the set 6-5 and were now 13-9 behind.
This would normally be the time when the Surrey side would sense the danger, get on their feet, open their voices and put themselves back into a winning position. This time it was different though as some of the team dispersed to the far corners of the Chatham pool hall and the majority of those still within touching distance of the tables took a vow of silence. Kent were not in the least bit impressed by the new National Champions and took out a couple of quick dishes to ensure that the third set would also go their way, extending the lead to 20-13.
It now looked a monumental task, needing to win the last set 10-1 to get a victory. It was not to be as Kent took 3 of the next 5 frames to put them over the line. Surrey won the remaining 6 frames to finish just behind on 21 frames.
It just goes to show that the score is not always a true reflection of the match as we never looked like winning or even taking it close. Apart from the last 6 frames we never won more than 2 frames in a row. Richard Lambert took the man of the match with 4 wins. Jason Norris and Rob McGowan finishing on 3.
Off the table it was a very disappointing day and probably the weakest performance I have witnessed. That is something which is entirely under our own control and whether you win 0 frames or 4 frames it is part of being selected for the team and everybody will need to contribute more in the upcoming matches.