Revenge, as they say, is a dish best served cold. Last Sunday, however, Team Sunshine preferred to serve it alongside stew chicken, buss-up shut, channa and alloo.
In a thrilling 10-table All Fours encounter at the spacious and air-conditioned Warrenville Table Tennis Centre, Team Sunshine finally ended Merrymen’s dominance by securing a hard-fought 101-98 victory.
The win was particularly sweet for Team Sunshine, which had suffered defeats in its previous three meetings with Merrymen. In fact, the last two losses were so comprehensive that many supporters were beginning to wonder whether Merrymen had discovered the secret formula to defeating Sunshine.
But this was a different Team Sunshine last Sunday.
The squad arrived with virtually all of its top players in attendance and, perhaps more importantly, with one of the strongest substitution benches the team has ever assembled.
From the very first hand, it was evident that this would not be another one-sided affair.
Team Sunshine drew first blood and quickly established a 9-3 advantage, but Merrymen responded almost immediately, overturning the deficit to take a 15-12 lead. What followed was a fascinating battle in which neither team was willing to surrender an inch.
The lead changed hands repeatedly as players on both sides produced moments of brilliance, combining skill, strategy and no small measure of luck.
By the halftime interval, Team Sunshine had managed to edge ahead, leading 50-45 in bullseyes and 26-14 in hang jacks.
Then came what many described as the most anticipated part of the afternoon.
Players from both teams temporarily put down their cards and picked up their forks as a sumptuous meal of stew chicken, buss-up shut, channa and alloo was served. The break quickly evolved into a strategy session, with players discussing tactics, substitutions and the adjustments needed for the decisive second half.
When play resumed, the battle intensified.
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams exchanging blows in a contest that remained too close for comfort. Every hand became increasingly important, every bullseye was celebrated loudly, and every missed opportunity was met with groans from teammates and spectators alike.
In the end, Team Sunshine’s superior bench strength, timely substitutions and enthusiastic support from its non-playing members proved to be the difference.
After three consecutive defeats, Team Sunshine finally brought Merrymen’s winning streak to an end and reduced the overall series deficit to 3-2.
The players have already pledged to level the series when the two teams meet again.
Team Sunshine also expressed its appreciation to Merrymen for their hospitality and for hosting yet another highly competitive encounter that was played in an atmosphere of friendship and sportsmanship, without a single dispute.
Prize Winners
Most Bullseyes
- 13 – Table 2 – Team Sunshine: Clint and Juliana
- 12 – Table 4 – Team Sunshine: Bob and Krystal
Most Straight Games
- 5 – Table 9 – Merrymen: Ashton and Imtiaz
- 5 – Table 8 – Team Sunshine: Sweetness and Ameer
Most Hang Jacks
- 6 – Table 6 – Team Sunshine: Jackson and Eleanor
- 5 – Table 2 – Team Sunshine: Clint and Juliana
Most Spectacular Game
- 14-0 – Table 1 – Team Sunshine: Nathalia and Amrit
- 14-1 – Table 9 – Merrymen: Ashton and Imtiaz
Additional Awards
- Winning Bullseye: Table 8 – Team Sunshine: Sweetness and Ameer
- Team with the Most Hang Jacks: Team Sunshine
- Scorers’ Tokens: Wendy (Team Sunshine) and Bruce (Merrymen)
- Champion Trophy: Team Sunshine
Team Sunshine’s next assignment will be a 12-table showdown against Evolution on September 6 at the Blackpool Sports Club on Tunapuna Road, Tunapuna.
