University of Gloucestershire lost 6-5 to UCFB Wembley in an intense affair at Francis Close Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
The day started off slowly for the Gloucestershire side as they suffered defeat in both their trio games.
A team of Alfie Element (C), James Pryer and Billy Maple suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Wembley side who started strong.
The second trio game got underway, and a team of Morgan Barrett, Felix Anderson and Patrick Loveard were defeated 2-0 giving Wembley a 2-0 lead overall.
After the first two trio games, the teams selected their three doubles teams, with UOG needing success to stay in the game.
James Pryer and Billy Maple took an early lead with a 180 courtesy of Pryer giving them the first leg. Although, it was not enough as Wembley staged a thrilling comeback to take it 2-1 leaving UOG 3-0 down overall.
The second doubles game saw captain Alfie Element and Patrick Loveard paired up and despite high scoring including a 180 from Element Wembley took a 4-0 lead leaving Gloucestershire in a drastic position.
The final doubles game came down to Jack Payne and Morgan Barrett. UOG needed a win to stay in the game, the game was a cagey affair with both sides starting slow and taking one leg each but a powerful final leg from Payne Gloucestershire gained their first points of the day.
Wembley took a strong 4-1 lead leaving UOG needing to win all their singles games to win the game and go top of the league.
It was a great start for UOG as Alfie Element and James Pryer won their singles with high scoring from both players leaving the scores at 4-3 to Wembley.
Billy Maple was up next and after a dominant display with an average over 60 he took the win which tied the game at 4-4 with 3 games left to play.
Patrick Loveard was up next and in a tight affair with both players missing doubles to win the game Wembley took the win and 5-4 lead.
The results meant that last two singles game would decide the victor in a thrilling contest.
Jack Payne and Felix Anderson were left to play their singles and despite a great comeback to get back into the game Anderson was defeated 2-1 which meant a 2-1 win from Payne was not enough and Wembley got the win and gained valuable points the UKUK central league.
In a post-match interview with UOG captain Alfie Element he gave credit to Wembley stating, “They were a great group of lads, and they played well.”
The game was close with both sides having chances to win with Element saying, “We had a few opportunities, and we just could not hit our doubles, and we must bounce back.”
Gloucestershire will now host the University of Leicester next week on Wednesday, 13 November who sit at 9th in the Central division Element briefly highlighted the game.
“We may just change the line-up and see if that is the reason for these tight losses and hopefully, we will work things out.”
