Bowman crashes to dismal defeat

Gavin Pereira blew the race for the B3 title wide open by crushing David Bowman 6-1, 6-4 at Wigmore. Bowman, desperatley struggling on the artificial clay, slumped to one of his worst ever defeats in the SLTL. Bowman was broken immediatley in the first game as Pereira fired on all cylinders. Bowman wasted a breakpoint oppurtunity in the next game with a netted backhand return. Pereira stormed through the rest of the set, wrapping it up in under 30 minutes. Bowman started cautiously in the second, desperatley trying to deny Pereira his rhythm. In typical fashion the plan worked, and Bowman broke to lead 3-2 and the customary bellows followed. The joy was, however, shortlived as Pereira immediatlely broke back and then broke again to wrap up the match.

"I like the artifical clay," said Pereira. "They LTA are encouraging them as they help build up fitness and technique."
"Yeah, right," replied a disgruntled Bowman, who vowed never to play on the courts again.

Bowman can still, however, come top of B3. Bowman beating Williams will give him the title, a loss should put Williams top with a three-way battle between Bowman, Willcocks and Burrell for second.

Sutton withdrawal hands Bowman walkover

David Bowman won his sixth B3 match after an injury forced Murray Sutton to withdraw from the league. Sutton, who was injured in his first match of the season against Roger Willcocks, was unable to continue. As Sutton had already played a match, walkovers had to be given to the rest of the players, something that will hinder Willcocks' progress in the division. It puts Bowman, however, one step closer to promotion. Another victory will almost certainly guarantee promotion, and another walkover may come with Gavin Pereira and Sean Williams, Bowman's two remaining opponents, still injured.