The weather was tip top and couldn’t be more perfect for the big match against RAF Wyton and the oddity of seeing Jim on the opposite side of net as he is one of our own. All we needed now was a full complement of players. Sadly, the bank holiday traffic put paid to a timely start.
Lining up against the old and bold 1st pair of Jim and Roy was the sprightly John F and Coach Rob Lowe. Needingworth settled into the set and Wyton played well, breaking back from their own lost service game until everything was all square at 2 all. Unfortunately for Wyton, and unsurprisingly for Needingworth, it was at this point that Rob stepped up and made the difference. With confident serving and trademark touch crosscourt drop volleys, in the blink of an eye, Needingworth ran out easy 6-2 winners. Sadly, for the Wyton pair, the second set was an exact replica of the 1st set, with Rob’s returns coming to the fore and really starting to bite.
Next door, it was a great big welcome back for the returning Oli and his partner Colin K, who were playing the youthful Army pair of Ian and Jon. This time it was success for Wyton, who after winning all the big points took both sets so it was honours even at half time.
In the 2nd rubber, John and Rob got off to an absolute flyer and by using positive attacking play, never gave the Wyton pair a chance to get into any rhythm. Using Rob’s coaching tactic of stop/ go poaching to great effect even John was now holding his serve easily, so note to John - do this more often. Once more, with Rob again being the difference it was job done by the home team.
Next door Colin and Oli having a great tussle. Close games. Oli settling into good blend of ground strokes and volleys. Looks like fine margins. But home side take both sets to pour abject misery onto the visitors. Time for couple beers to help the visitors drown their sorrows. Chips should be ready!