In total contrast to what the weather forecast promised, it was a windy night with a chill that was cold enough to make you long for that nice warm seat in front of the tele.  Still – at least it was dry and it was David Lloyd 3 that had to do battle with the A14, giving time for the for the brand new partnership of Caroline and Joss to get used to each other’s style of play for what was always going to be a tough match.

First to set off, was that partnership against Karolina and Keith, who looked a very useful pair in the warm-up – a fact that would be confirmed as the sets developed.  Joss’ well hit hard ground strokes were equally matched by those of Keith’s and despite the experience of our own Caroline, the resilience and movement of Karolina gave the visitors the edge and they went on to win both their opening sets.

On the dark court, the established partnership of Nikki and Jim were battling Jen and Gary and got off to the perfect start by breaking straight away in a long and fast-moving opening game.  To rub a bit of salt into the wound, at 2-1 up, Nikki’s opening serve was an ace.  By now, it didn’t seem cold at all – quite the opposite in fact, as the rallies grew longer there was a definite need to move faster and faster to get into the right position, cold turned into “phew” this is warm work.  Despite all the lovely cross court balls the DL pair dished out, the Needingworth pair just soaked it all up and then, bathing in the glory of our own superb play, pressure the DL pair into defeat.  Game on.  Honours even at the turn around

Buoyant from the 1st rubber win and by now, just relishing in one of those matches where everything goes your way, the Needingworth 1st pair set about the task of trying to secure a draw.  The DL pair obviously had a game plan and that was to play out wide and shove Nikki towards the fence.  They might have succeeded with their plan, but it backfired when they realised that no matter how good a ball they played, Nikki returned it better.  With the Needingworth pair in full flow, the set was quickly won.

How was the new partnership going I hear you ask?  Well – the start of this match became an all-out fight between 2 pairs that had been beaten in the first half.  And the winners of the 1st set by a country mile were Caroline and Josh.  Keeping their nerve and building on their oppositions drop in form, they took all their chances and gave Needingworth the opportunity of a victory that nobody but the 4 on court believed they had a chance of.  Unfortunately, their opposition got their act together and they lost the second set.  However, the Needingworth twos had done their job – it was all in the hands of the 1st pair.     

Could Needingworth snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.  Not a chance, this was a golden night for the 1st pair.  So much so, Nikki insisted on giving the DL pair a 30-point start on all her service games.  Why?  Because she could.  Her plan only failed once in the whole match, but it didn’t make any difference. Jim served it out at the change of ends.  

A great match and a good win against a very capable and honest team.  Their court play was excellent.  They were just unlucky to come across a team that hit form at the right time.  Wouldn’t like to play them on their own indoor court though.