This week is all about successes and failures. First failure was that we cannot solve the problem of the drain by the courts (there is none) and then successes are all below. The Mixed Bandits managed to play at David Lloyd on Saturday and the Ladies Archangels played at home on Sunday against Winchester A as the Men’s Chappies played Southampton University. Photo: Ladies Archangels.
So the always reliable Mark turned out on Saturday to try to solve our drainage issue only to find a surplus of concrete and a high voltage electricity duct in his way. I have never seen three happier faces than when I suggested they go home and test the wood burner. I managed to arrange for one heater to function in the Pavilion during the week.
Saturday the Mixed Bandits popped over to David Lloyd Southampton and managed to play indoors for one round during which Christine Johnson & Ian Ballard won 6-3, 6-1 and Nigel Green & Julie Kelly lost 1-6, 1-6. Reverse doubles had Christine & Ian win 6-3, 7-6 and Nigel & Julie win, somewhere on the other side of the complex, 6-2, 7-5. So it was a thoroughly satisfactory day for the Bandits against one of the better teams. No news on food but we cannot expect everything can we.
Sunday at home the Ladies Archangels entertained Winchester A. As always this promised to be a close run thing so Captain Frankie managed to raise a strong team. Dita Mezihorakova & Summer Colling started with a 6-3, 6-1 win while Liezl Edom & Magda Kornijczuk won 6-4, 6-2 but Frankie Colling & Lydia Kelly lost 0-6, 0-6. Second round Dita & Summer lost the firsts et 1-6 but won the second6-4 for a half and Liezl & Magda won the first set 6-1 but then Liezl had a nasty fall and had to be ferried to Accident & Emergency. Frankie & Lydia lost their rubber 2-6, 0-6 so we looked in trouble at this stage with 3 rubbers each. Dita & Summer happily won their last rubber 6-2, 6-4 and Frankie & Lydia halved so although Magda sat out the match was all square at the end. Frankie collected Liezl from A&E with the news that she had a broken/impacted radius so she will almost certainly be out for 3 months before returning to form. Poor old Liezl – I am sure you will all send her your sympathies at having such wretched luck.
The Men’s Chappies had a mixed sort of day and carried on the injury precedent set by the ladies. Chris Osbourne & Stuart Grubb started with a 4-6, 7-5 half, Nigel Lindley & Stuart Ray had a 6-4, 1-6 half and Gerry Overton & Jason Gaucci won 6-4, 6-3. Chris & StuartG then won 6-3, 6-2 despite Chris taking out one of their players with precisely targeted shot to those parts better protected by a cricket box. Nigel & StuartR continued their pursuit of halves with a perfect 6-4, 3-6 and Gerry & Jason lost 2-6, 2-6. Chris & StuartG won 6-4, 6-4, Nigel & StuartG took the rest of the match off, courtesy of Chris, and Gerry & Jason lost 1-6, 1-6. So the Chappies won 5.5: 3.5 thanks to the walkover I round three. CO reported that GerryO had earned more matches than he did last season so that must be good. Just wish he would stop sending scorecards to my wife (CO that is)!
So we had Leon at home this weekend. He took me for a long walk on Saturday morning and the dog came too. He then took his mum to Waitrose and set off to be with friends. Sunday more walking and then he reverted to Leon C for a gig at Art House in Southampton. Brum is good apparently.
Next Week: Saturday 17th November: Mixed Alphas at Totton A, Mixed Champs at home to Waterside and Girl’s 14s at Compton. Sunday 18th November Ladies Archangels at Riverside and Boy’s 14s at Winchester (I think).
Title: Film score was written by Francis Lai in 1966. Francis movedon this week so all together now: Da da da dadadadada da, da da da dadadadada da, da dadadadadadada da da da da daaa, da da da daaaa.