Arriving with Jim 1-0 down, the added support hauled him back into contention and some great cross court widths and the trademark drop shots saw Jim closing in to level the tie. At 13-8 ish up a wide lunge had Jim sprawled against the side wall looking rather pained – a pulled hammy ending his fight back which would have seen the tie go the distance. Hard luck Jim but drop into that Massage Parlour in Watford, I am sure they’ll still honour that loyalty card!

Manny up next and against an opponent who moved well and hit the ball hard, but so many cross courts was always going to be trouble for him against a man who will always take the ball early. True to form again, Manny knocked his man to the back of the court and lots of wrong footing, knick drops and straight drives delivered a comfortable win and first points of the night – have to play you at 1 next time!

The Captain, having finally managed to negotiate getting from courtside to changing rooms and back again without the need for a map or directions from the ever fierce club manageress, got on with hard hitting Richard with whom he has battled a number of times in the past, with varying degrees of success. Needing a win to convert the match, he benefitted from a few unforced tins from his opponent (now I know what it’s like playing against me!) but a steady match and early volleying pushed him through to a tough 3-1 win

First victory of the season, but at some expense with Jim out for the next few weeks. Still, 9 points is not to be sniffed at and this will keep us up in the running – long way to go yet

Craig on first against Martin, saw our ex captain play some good stuff, moving well and hitting the ball crisply. It was tight in the first but at the crucial moment the Danz lost his way a bit, losing narrowly.

The second was similar, our man always in it, but a lapse again in the middle of the second saw that drift away too.

With our guy wanting to get away early, the expectant crowd thought a comeback was in progress as The Dants hit some unstoppable shots to storm into an early lead. Martin knuckled down, got level and once again our Dants faded. 0-3, but he was always in it.

Arriving customarily late , Akin next on against Simon. The first was close, but Simon was always quicker, sharper and whilst Akin looked good when he hit it, the pushes into the tin didn’t help. Nor did an outrageous call for “let” by Simon (and given), when Simon had gone the wrong way and the ball was tight to the wall. As if that was bad enough, a high volley opportunity with Simon clearly LBW, SAW ONLY A “LET” given, at which Akin’s enthusiasm waned and with it the match 0-3.

Finally, our new captain against young Bradley, comparable to the likes of Angus and Jack.
Dannyboy battled hard, but a couple of loose shots at 11-12, saw him go 14-11 down rather than 13-13 and the game slipped away. However, rallying to prevent a whitewash, Dan the Man captured the second fairly comfortably in the end, but then succumbing in the third.

Tiring after the weekend and open day excursions, Dannyboy put the effort in for the fourth and kept close, but at the end a younger sharper opponent won through. 1-3 but a not bad effort.

They’ve had a couple of seasons to settle in Summer Div2, so not too bad, but guys we need some points so need to get our strongest teams out when possible.

Expectation was high and with former team Captain, The Dants, on first against Keith, pressure mounted. Battle commenced with chances either way, some dodgy low away serves in front of an apparently blind ref, led to parity at 14-14 and a nerve racking push for the finish, Craig finally victorious after some nail biting rallies to snatch it 20-18. The second ensued, but in the third with a tiring opponent calling lets at every opportunity and pulling out of playable “shots”, our ex captain lost a bit of momentum and with it the third game. However, no-one expected Keith to last quite so long and indeed in the fourth Craig the DANTS, upped his game to secure victory on an ironic “down” serve from his opponent. 3-1 , points on the board and a very welcome start.

Despite his late arrival, BFD, was keen to get on and work off at least on e of those 5 lunches, keen to prove to a young fit opponent that he is a better player than his last performance portrayed. With some steady footwork, deep shots and the usual unforeseen killer boasts from anywhere, BFD forged ahead and despite presenting some easy chances at the front was pleased to see his opponent tin regularly to safely secure the first. Games two and 3 were more of the same and as his opponent got more irate, so BFD smelled blood and went for the jugular (and an early finish that would ensure more beer time and an extra helping at dinner).

With the game in the bag, our new Captain, Dannyboy W stepped on, clearly intimated by his opponent Martin, against whom he has never done well. The first went to form, the second even more so. However, apparently resigned himself to defeat DW calmed, started playing some squash and opened a lead to take the advantage in the third. However some poor shot selection, a bit too much haste and a lack of belief that he could actually win, saw the game swing his opponent’s way and ultimately to a 3-0 drudging.

So 9-4 on points, we can’t be white washed and everything to play for.

Food and bar worked well, with same home club night, so all those not playing, come watch.

Manny first up and a controlled game of straight hitting, good length and high defensive lobbing saw an early advantage. Second and third games followed a very similar pattern and a quickly tiring opponent saw a very impressive first win for Manny and the Seconds

Captain Pig up next against Andy (who sported a natty 3 Musketeers beard and a Prince racket last seen in the British Museum!). Much puffing and panting and snatched shots into the tin and first game lost – time to lose the trackie trousers! Next 2 games won, Captain just about getting to grips with changes of pace from Skelding like lobs and widths to ferocious straight drives and cross-courts. All down to the last but no joy and a close 3-2 loss

Decider as Duncan steps up against the Brother of their no 3. Warm courts and a bouncy ball allowed their man to retrieve a huge number of straight drives and quality drops. First game down. Similar story in the second. Time to rally in the 3rd game and a massive effort came to nought as Dunc ran out of places to hit the ball without them coming back. 3-0 loss and a tight 2-1 match loss

If this standard continues then it’s going to be a very competitive Summer Season! Still, we were all twice their age!!

Combined food in the Bar with the First Team ( a new idea which actually created a great buzz in the club and was well received by all teams). Great start to the season; good competition, good atmosphere, good food , good company – bring on the first win!

Adult Ballot Rules

Junior draw will take place on Friday 18th May during Social Tennis

Junior Ballot Rules