I was going to say it was a quiet week but from where I am sitting, looking at the deep azure sea with a beautiful sandy beach in front (not to say the myriads of tourists populating it) it was busier than I thought. On Wednesday the Vet’s A team was at home to Salisbury, on Saturday the Men’s Bees was at home to Warsash B as well as the Men’s Cees home to Littleton while the Ladies away to Winchester’ Ladies B team. Photo: The Kids at the Inter-Club Challenge last week - well not quite all!
BeforeI start let us all congratulate Martyna Ciubatiuk on her Vounty win in the Road to Wimbledon competition. She will be ofc to the UK Finals at Wimbledon in August.
To start with the Vet’s A-Team. At home on a sunny evening with excellent vittels to come who could ask for more. Salisbury made the trip with expectations but Tim Cook & Jay Kim soon put a stop to that taking their first match 6-3, 6-1 as Pete Colling & Paul Stavely destroyed their opponents 6-1, 6-1. In the reverse Tim & Jay also wrecked the Salisbury #2 pair's evening 6-1, 6-1 and Pete & Paul beat their #1 pair 6-0, 6-2. OK so I was was nasty last week - sorry old chaps but that's my job!
So Saturday turned out hot and sunny just like at home in England. The Men’s Bees expected a good challenge from Warsash but that wasn't quite what they enjoyed. To start with they arrived late with only two pairs. James Ardley & Milan Bharadia had a sit out while Matt Pitman & Jon Saville lost 2-6, 6-2, 0-1 and Harry Vowles & Alex Billingham lost 4-6, 6-7. James & Milan then won 6-0, 6-0 (but think this another walk out played out of sequence). Matt & Jon sat out and Harry & Alex won 7-6 6-1. Last round James & Milan won 6-3, 6-2, Matt & Jon lost 3-6, 5-7 and Harry & Alex sat out. So we won by 6 rubbers to three and the opposition didn't even stay for tea.
On the other three courts the Men’s Cees team was facing a team from Littleton that included a 6' 5" player! Let's do this quickly: Lyndsey Ross & Steve Johnson started with a 6-1. 2-6, 1-0 win. Chris Osbourne & Jon Francis won 6-3, 6-4 but Will Dunnett & Gerry Overton lost 2-6, 1-6. Second round Lyndsey & Steve lost 2-6, 1-6, Chris & Jon lost 6-4, 1-6, 0-1 and Will & Gerry lost 2-6, 4-6. Not looking great as round three had Lyndsey & Steve lose 3-6, 7-6, 0-1, Chris & Jon lose 2-6, 0-6 and Will & Gerry lose 5-7, 4-6. Not a great day but the Cees survice in the Division anyway.
Up the road in glorious Winchester the Ladies team was having a great time as always against Winchester. Summer Colling & Magda Kornijczuk started with a 6-1, 6-1 win as Christine Johnson & Sue Wells lost 6-7, 2-6 and Frankie Colling & Anna Vinnell won 6-3, 7-5. Summer & Magda carried on as they started winning 6-1, 6-1, Christine & Sue lost 1-6, 2-6 and Frankie &Anba won 6-2, 6-0. In the last round Summer & Magda won 6-0, 6-2, Christine & Sue conceded and Frankie & Anna won 6-4, 6-1 - So we won a great fixture 6 rubbers to 3, Summer going home really happy as two of her friends were playing for Winchester but, scandal on scandal, NO CHIPS FOR TEA! They did have scones and cream but no Pims and no strawberries!
So I will leave you there as I have a date with unlimited supplies of Spanish grog that is being liberally supplied – as are ice creams and meals. It is bit like enjoying the post-match bonhomie of a Vets match without having to play tennis: maybe this is what heaven will be like although it is probably more like hell considering the racket that the kids make in the pool. Still I managed to watch the Wimblydingdong Finals and kept up with the Tour de France while Leon has been busy rehearsing for his Gig at the Piano Studios (Winchester) on Saturday 22nd at 1900, tickets £15.00 – with a professional artist to follow his own not unprofessional act. Great night to come – get along and support Leon. If you don’t make it I will tell you about it in next week’s news anyway, proud father that I am.
By the way: I have torn a muscle in my shoulder so will not be able to prepare things for Final's Day next Sunday. I will be there at 0830 trying not to do anything silly with my arm. I would welcome assistance from any able-bodied person available to help.
Next week: Monday 19th July: Vets B Team away to Portswood, Wednesday 21st July Vets A at home to Lee-on-the-Solent (and I come back from the Med), Saturday 22nd July: Apsley A team at home to Swanmore and Sunday 23rd JULY FINALS DAY.
Title: A classic - Neil Diamond, 1972