Busy weekend was predicted but with the weather forecasts as they were on Friday I am writing this on tenterhooks. The Apsley A team was to entertain Swanmore in a match that would take them back to the runner-up position in the Premier Division of the Apsley Leagues. On Sunday the Men’s B Team is at home was at home to Winchester B and the Boy’s 16 & Under was at home to PTA: what sort of team would PTA send? The Girl’s 14 & Under team was off to PTA for their first match of the winter season and again what sort of team would they be facing? Well read on and you will find out. Photo: Apsley Premier Runners-up without Mark.
So what has happened this week? The double-yokegate continued: had a total of eight out of 30 eggs: that is nearly 25%. The farm told me that I should count myself lucky – well not me exactly but those who benefitted from this hidden bonus. The founder and long-term provider of male entertainment literature has passed away and a sketch has been found of the subject of that famous painting by Leonardo (da Vinci not Dicaprio) in the buff: I wonder if there is any connection?
Saturday started dull and stayed that way. The Apsley As assembled at 1300 and by 1500 had packed up and left: In the interim they the whole team was on fire and gave Swanmore very few opportunities. Mats & Summer Colling really outgunned the Swanmore pair 6-0, 6-1 while James Blair & Magda Kornijczuk won in 6-3, 6-1, Lydia Kelly & Simon Piper won 6-1, 7-6 (8-6 in tie break) and Pete Colling & liezl Edom won 6-4, 6-1. Mats & James then won their singles 6-4, 7-6, and Simon & Pete won theirs 6-2, 7-5. Summer & Magda showed absolutely no mercy in winning 6-0, 6-0 but Lydia & Liezl had a hiccup but won eventually 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. So that is it: Runner-Up in the Premier Division. I do have to tell you that son does as Dad dictates: both the Colling males managed to damage their ankles (the same one mind) in one afternoon of tennis: at least Dad could rest his: Mats had to play a tournament on Sunday!
Down in Portsmouth our Girls 14s team was having a bit of an odd day. Nakshatra Sridhar lost her singles 2-6, 4-6 but Jocelyn Kwan won hers 6-1, 5-5 when her opponent retired. In the doubles Nakshatra & Jocelyn lost in a close match 3-6, 6-4, 4-10 so a bit of a disappointment there. Congratulations to Kiruthika who was team Captain for the first time and did a wonderful job.
On Sunday the weather cleared in time for Matt Pitman to clear the acorns, mow the grass, replace thedivots and put up the nets on courts 5 & 6: it was discovered on the Saturday that there was a clash of fixtures with the Mens B expecting to start at 10:00 as did the Boys 16s! The Mens Bs, newly promoted to Division 2, found nit a bit tough but no tougher than expected. Andrew Bickerton & Kees de Groot won their first match 6-4, 7-6 while James Bair & Joseph Henbury lost their first set 1-6 before coming back for a half 6-4. Matt Pitman & Alex Billingham were rather undone 1-6, 2-6. Second round had Andrew & Kees dismantled 2-6, 3-6, Joe & James winning 6-4, 6-3 and Matt & Alex losing 3-6, 1-6. So 2.5: 3.5 as the final round started. Andrew & Kees lost 2-6, 1-6, Joe and James put up a fight but lost 2-6, 4-6 BUT Matt & Alex won 6-4, 7-6 to leave the score 5.5:3.5 – respectable loss if not the stunning victory we would have liked to celebrate.
So finally to the visit of the Portsmouth Tennis Academy Boys 16 & Under team. With the top players side-lined by the rules we expected a tough match but we have a few guys who have returned to tennis from either injury or other sports so although we looked outclassed on paper what would happen. Josh Overton was outclassed by their #1 losing 2-6, 2-6but George Smith played out of his skin to win 6-1, 6-1. Todd Elliott & Jamie Bevan meanwhile won their doubles down on court 6 6-4, 6-3 so we were 2-1 up at the half way point. Todd then lost 4-6, 2-6 as Jamie beat someone 4 ratings higher 7-5, 6-1. So it all depended on the doubles away in the distance which Josh & George lost 3-6, 5-7 to set up the “Shoot-Out”. Always fun this: So here we have two 9.1 ratings against two 7.2 ratings: I know where the clever money would be: George & Todd entered the annals of Thornden Tennis Club pulling off a 10-4 win against their mighty opposition to really set up a most amazing and surprise victory – what a way to finish our first weekend.
No trouble from the French today: no Air France jet engine parts falling down onto the courts, no pieces of art being stolen from our pavilion nor any crowd-barriers-collapsing under the strain of the excitement! Just a great display of tennis from all our players this weekend: WELL DONE ALL.
Next week: Saturday 6th October: Mixed As at Lymington, Boys 12s at Home to Winchester. Sunday 7th October: Men's A-Team at home to David Lloyd West End. Men's Cees at Littleton. Men's Dees at Lymington. Ladies Beauties at Glebian.
Title: Lou Levin, 1929 (with Leo Reisman Orchestra): written by Jack Yellen (lyrics) and Milton Ager (music).