Team King, along with Pete and Jim visited the fast-indoor carpet courts of David Lloyd to do battle against a very impressive team. Both teams had a similar makeup, they had 3 youngsters and a 55yr old County player and we had 3 oldies and 1 youngster. Mind you, our youngster was Michael. Both teams have played 4 matches, both have 4 points, and both languish just above the relegation zone. If ever a result was needed for both teams, this was it.
Anyone who’s played with or against Michael knows the quality of tennis he can play, but this time the pressure was on him: Needingworth was relying on him to win all 4 sets. With his huge 100 mph plus serve, agility and sheer speed around the court, you could normally bet your shirt on him. Not this time though, this time he really did need his dad to play his part, and boy, did he play it well. Michael may have done the running and made the poor balls scream in agony when he hit them, but he was ably assisted by his dad who punched his volleys away, rallied from the baseline and creamed his smashes. It might have been a tight match with Team King winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 but believe me when I say that our travelling supporter John Fab, who was sat watching from the cheap seats was treated to a right Royal performance.
On the other court, pressure of a different kind was on the grand old gentlemen of the Needingworth team. Thinking Team King would win easy, our task was simple – win a set. Easier said than done, when your up against a club that can call upon any number of players. Despite some wonderful tennis, Needingworth hiccupped at the wrong time and went down 6-3 against the DL 2nd pair. Still buoyant and semi confident, the 2nd set started with everyone holding serve; that was until the score was 5 -4 in favour of the visitors. With one final monumental effort and a combination of great returning and Peter’s deft backhands, it was the home team that buckled, although Jim's net cord at set point may have helped.
The 2nd rubber brought the Needingworth 2’s the surprise of playing against a pair that played the I-formation. Golly gosh, was he good at the net. If you hit the return wide enough to pass him, it risked going out, try for a lob and up he would climb for the smash. Pete and Jim were solid, but they still pipped us 6-3 for the 1st set. The 2nd set brought more woe as the Needingworth pair found themselves 4-1 down before a sudden purple patch saw a reverse of fortunes. Absolutely brilliant returns and unbelievable angled play secured the set for Pete and Jim in what can only be described as a squeeky bum tie-break.
A 6-2 win against a side of this calibre is a win to savour. It might have been played in a lovely friendly manner, but when you get eight players playing tennis at this level, you could cut the tension with a tennis racquet. This should hopefully secure 2nd division league status for Needingworth next season.