EUTC 2s Bow Out of BUCS Cup

EUTC 2s report on their latest BUCS Cup action: the semi-final encounter against Coventry 1s – who claimed that spot in the BUCS Cup final?

BUCS Cup EUTC

 

Exeter University 2s fell short of claiming a place in the BUCA Cup Final after losing 0 – 8 (dead rubbers not played) to Coventry 1s on Wednesday 22nd February.
 
In one match, Alex Knox and Hassan Morad teamed up playing doubles as the 2nd pair and after a strong start winning the first set 6-2 the Coventry 2nd pair seemed to gain momentum, winning the next set 6-4 then claiming the match tiebreak 10-4.
 
Both doubles were hard fought matches with Exeter being pipped at the post on both occasions: the 1st doubles pair (Ashtey Pauls and Andy Higham) lost a close doubles 7-5 6-4 and after an unlucky start in the doubles Exeter were 4-0 down before beginning the singles.
 
Our number 1 (Ashtey Pauls) and number 2 (Hassan Morad) went on first against Coventry’s number one and two respectively.
 
Hassan showed great commitment and determination but wasn’t able to make a real impact on the match on this occasion against James Taylor as he lost 6-0 6-1; whilst Ashtey had similar issues as he lost the first set 6-1 to formerly word-ranked Maniel Baines.
 
The second set was a closer affair, however, and Ashtey had chances to get back in the match but Baines repeatedly thwarted each of Ashtey’s hopes of breaking through with his thunderous serve.
 
The score ended 6-1 6-4 and overall it was a well-fought contest – had doubles gone our way then we may have had more of a fighting chance but it was still a fantastic achievement to reach the semi-finals.