Recap

Montreal Lions Complete Great Split with Narrow Victory over East Toronto Smash

Smash Women Break Open Tight Contest to Breeze to Win

Coming off a tough five-game loss to the Pronghorns, the Smash turned to veterans Christina Chin and Kim Layton to get the Dura ball rolling against tough Lions rookies Anne-Sophie Courteau and Jade Cassandra Laporte. The two teams evenly split the first 22 points, with the Lions leading at a couple of points, before the Smash took over and cruised to a win.

Layton, who was well supported by Chin’s defensive play, was a factor in six of the Smash’s first 11 points, while Laporte and Courteau each chipped in three winning shots. After Courteau stroked a nice cross for a winner to tie it 12-12, Layton and Chin went to work, putting the Lions on their heels at every turn, outscoring the Lions 9-1 to secure a big victory for their 4-4 team.

Lions Whip Smash in Men’s Game

At least this one was close for about 10 volleys. Again, on paper too, this tilt between the Smash with Dalbir Bhandal and the fiery Nathan Choi and the Montreal Lions Ernesto Fajardo and Louis-Charles Amyot looked to be entertaining. However, the Lions broke open a 5-5 draw, with Player of the Match Fajardo setting up two points and Amyot firing a forehand for another as Montreal went up three and never looked back on the way to a 21-13 victory.

The normally energetic Choi was not quite his usual self, though he did make some great shots for points, and Bhandal, who according to announcers was battling a mystery back ailment, was a bit off too. But even though they weren’t 100 percent, Fajardo and Amyot still had to play staunch defense, which they did admirably on a rally that put them up 17-9. After that, the outcome was nearly a foregone conclusion.

Lions Break Open Close Mixed Match to Beat Smash 21-11

Normally, the Smash duo of Nathan Choi and Christina Chin would have a great chance to beat Montreal rookies Ernesto Fajardo and Anne-Sophie Courteau. Except, someone forgot to tell the Lions greenhorns there were supposed to capitulate. Player of the Match Fajardo, well backed up by defensively sound Courteau, put his stamp on this one, responsible for scoring 11 of his team’s 21 points.

It was very close early on, with both squads trading the lead until Montreal’s outstanding defensive play tied it up at 9-9. After that, it was pretty much the “Fajardo Show” with the rookie blasting unreturnable overhand, backhand and forehand shots, leaving the Smash looking a little bewildered. Courteau, who again was a perfect foil for Fajardo, got into the action at 20-11 freeze, crushing a superb cross down the line for the winner.

Smash Scramble to Even Match with Comeback Win

The Lions mixed pair of Louis-Charles Amyot and Jade Cassandra Laporte had the opportunity to put away the Smash’s Dalbir Bhandal and Kim Layton and win the game and match. Then the “TSN Turning Point” happened. With the Lions in control 16-13, Layton fired an inadvertent Erne that hit Amyot square in the face for a point. After many apologies, the Smash went to work on a comeback, outscoring the Lions 7-1 to send it to a singles tiebreaker.

The two squads fought hard through the early going, with the lead exchanging hands a few times. Amyot was a powerhouse, ripping a few winners, including an Erne that plunked Bhandal. The Smash were up to the task, with both Bhandal and Layton playing great defense and firing winners until the score was 13-13. Some unforced errors allowed the Lions to forge ahead, but the Layton Erne was Amyot and the Lions ultimate undoing.

Lions Overwhelm Smash to Break Open Singles Tiebreaker, Win Match

As the last match to complete at the Eastern Split, the Smash and Lions put on a show, but the Lions had a little more “oomph” and downed the Smash 21-13 to finish an admirable 6-3 won-lost. Player of the Match Ernesto Fajardo got things going, taking two of three from Nathan Choi. Overall, Fajardo won his mini sets against Choi 6-3, making five superb shots that Choi couldn’t return.

Elsewhere, Louis-Charles Amyot played it cagey against veteran Kim Layton, taking eight of nine with a dazzling array of shots. Jade Cassandra Laporte just got the better of Dalbir “the Beast” Bhandal, 5-4, as she set him up for a few unforced errors. Last, but certainly not least, Christina Chin did beat Anne-Sophie Courteau 5-2, however, it was Courteau who smashed a sizzling cross at 20-13 freeze to win it.