Defeats - Analysis & lessons

Here we review the main games that Yorkshire Meds lost and how to go from there.

On a regular basis, we examine how we lost certain key team games; in particular those where we could/should have done better. We discount the early years (2004-2006) where we were still finding our feet (so to speak). There are also games where very little could be done in a knock-out competition (that's life); for example in 2014 when Paul Smith got a break of 23 marbles in first round; and we were out at the quarter-final stage.

Analysis of recent defeats

Here we look at recent defeats; showing the year; against which team and some comments on how we lost the game. 

• 2023: 1st MC Erzgebirge: They were quick off the mark at 19-5 at the end of 1st round. Five of our players got only one marble in the 1st round
• 2019: Johnson Jets: after leading 24-14, we lost 25-14
• 2018: Saxonia: we did not play well - except Karim & Leila, we beat 49ers with difficulty,  atrocious weather
• 2017: Johnson Jets: Paul Smith a break of 22 marbles in 2nd round, we lead 1st round by a margin.
• 2015: Black Dogs: 26-17 
• 2014: Johnson Jets: Paul Smith who managed in a single break 23 points  - that’s life
• 2013: Johnson Jets: Paul Smith with 23 marbles in one break . Up to that point, we were cruising at  10-2
• 2007: 1st MC Erzgebirge: A break of 28 early in the game - 25-17

When the games get to quarter-finals (QFs) and beyond; each team has to take its chances as early as possible. There are games where we led the first round comfortably, only to "collectively" collapse in the second round (2013, 2017, 2019). Most teams reaching the QFs or SFs tend to have one master player and a few good players. Each of these master players can get a break of 20+ marbles. 

One of the focus has to be that each player must think the game has one round, two at most; so each turn counts. In addition, we need to work on the "collective failure psychology" when a master player from the opposite team gets a high break.