For me, it's not about actual skill, it's about the damned missed moves or critical hits.
Example : Fighting Corey. Took me three tries.
First battle : Mud shot and Mud Bomb misses on Skuntank
Critical hit sucker punch from Croagunk onto Kadabra
Second Battle : Missed Mud Bomb
TWO critcal Venoshocks from Croagunk IN. A. ROW.
Third Battle : Stun Spore missed Crobat
Critical Venoshock from Crobat
Missed Air Cutter from Tranquil against Croagunk.
Critical Drain Punch against Tranquil.