Three matches played on Sunday to report on. Firstly Ladies B v Totton B played away at Totton. Unfortunately, we could only field 2 pairs so the match was started 3-0 down before a ball was hit. ( where are you ladies?? ) Thornden gave it their best shot - Sue Wells and Helen Haigh got  the hat trick with two comfortable wins and a longer battle in the 3rd match when tiredness and the cold kicked in. Sam Hennessey and Erin Perry battled hard with long rallies and managed to take the third match to a second set tie break but narrowly missed out on a draw. Thornden eventually went down 6-3 but everyone enjoyed  their matches and it was great to have Sam back playing after a long injury lay off.

Thornden's men's B team hosted Wellow on Sunday - a team close to the bottom of the league so hopes were high. Our number 1s Andy Bickerton and Simon Fox showed the way by dropping just 1 game against the 3rd pair. Our seconds, Dan Kwiatkowski and Matt Pitman halved 2-6 7-5 against their counterparts and another half from our thirds Matt Pickett and Steve Thompson 7-6 4-6 against the 1s was the result of the tie! In the 2nd round, Andy and Simon made short work of the 1s 6-1 6-1. Dan and Matt were comfortable against the 3s 6-3 6-3 and Matt and Steve banked another valuable half by staging a great comeback 1-6 7-6 . At 4.5 to 1.5 after 2 rounds a win seemed a formality although it's always dangerous to feel too relaxed. Andy and Simon proved this point by losing the 1st set to the 2s 1-6 but then managed to get back on track to earn a half getting the next set 6-2. Dan and Matt were also in relaxed mood losing 3-6 4-6 to the first pair.  A third half in a row by Matt and Steve against the 3drs 6-1 4-6 made the overall score a convincing 5.5- 3.5. 

Meanwhile, with 3 wins out of 3 under the belt and probably the best mens A team ever assembled, hopes were high on a trip down to Warsash. Despite Warsash fielding a very strong team of their own, including 2 top county players, the odds were still good. This was until Tim Cook, playing at 3 with Dave Darrock fell badly in the 3rd game against Warsash 1sts and had to concede the remaining matches. Here's hoping Tim has a speedy recovery and it's not a fractured rib as feared. It was left to Mats Colling and Paul Scullard at 1 and James Blair and Ben Jubin at 2 to do the business.  It was a steady 6-4 6-2 for Paul and Mats against the 3rds but Ben and James lost a close encounter to the 2nds 2-6 3-6.  Effectively we were 4-1 down on rubbers after the 1st round so not looking good. Steady drizzle reflected the mood and made Mats look like Bambi on ice! He and Paul fought hard against the 1sts but a break of serves saw it slip away 6-7 4-6. Next door it didn't take long for Ben and James to dispatch the 3rds 6-1 6-0. Heading into the last round the tie was already lost but Mats and Paul posted another solid 6-4 6-3 against the 2nds and Ben and James finished on a high securing the best result of the day - a 3-6 7-5 half against the 1sts. In the circumstances 3.5- 5.5 was a credible result although we will need a miracle in the remaining matches against Winchester B and league leaders Winchester A, to take the div 1 title .