Another quite busy weekend arrived on Saturday with the Boys 12 & Under at home to David Lloyd Southampton and the Mixed Aces away to Riverside. Sunday had the Ladies Belles at home to Wyvern and the Men’s Cees away up the road at Compton & Shawford. Photo: from the Colling family album: Mixed A at Riverside - oh no moved that to What's On: Boy's 12 at home to David Lloyd instead.
So it was quite a week with the clocks on their new routine and the Saints busy on Wednesday on their Feast Day. Hope all of you fans did the necessary to remember this important date – after all you had All Souls day on the day before with people knocking on the door to remind you it was Halloween: mind you I went to Waitrose on Tuesday afternoon to buy some sweets for the multitude of little imps we expected to knock on the door – might as well not have bothered as I took them all back on Wednesday morning. Surprise gig this week as Leon was called in to open for a Punk Duo on Thursday at the Talking Heads: quite a contrast between Contemporary Folk music and Punk I now understand! Large crowd turned up a few of whom could be bothered to listen while the rest chattered loudly to drown out the singing! It wasn’t all bad as he sold a few CDs so someone was listening.
And then we go to the tennis. The Boys 12 & Under hosted David Lloyd, the Southampton variety, at home on Saturday afternoon. David Lloyd turned up with a much stronger team than our boys particularly as Ben Hatfield wasn’t available. Sam Ardley found himself 5-1 down rather quickly being the slow starter that he is. He fought back to 5-5 and then won 2 games to win it 7-5 but then lsot the second 0-6. He mustered all his resources and then took the rubber tie-break 10-4. Harry Robinson put up a fight but lost 1-6, 2-6 but Finley Scott was thumped 0-6, 0-6 but Sam Goodridge was playing out of his skin but still lost 3-6, 5-7. After that the fight went out of them all so they had great fun in the doubles which was 2more like exhibition tennis” than a league match for developing players. Sam & Harry lost 0-6, 1-6 but Jas Baczinski & Finley did better losing 1-6, 1-6. It was great to see them all playing for fun and not worrying about the defeat: keep it up boys. What a shame.
Over at Riverside the Mixed Aces the Colling All Stars had a completely different afternoon. Summer & Mats Colling took their first rubber at a canter winning 6-2, 6-1 while Frankie & Peter Colling had a more leisurely win 6-1, 6-4. In the reverse doubles Summer & Mats kept things consistent by winning 6-1, 6-2 but Mum & Dad took no prisoners in winning 6-1, 6-1 for an impressive 4-0 win. Apparently there was a slight marital dispute on a line call where Frankie called it in but hubbie called it out. I am pleased to say that they are now talking even if through their two offspring. Ain’t that a shame.
Sunday dawned and our Ladies Belles team was out and ready for the battle ahead at Thornden to visiting Wyvern. Christine Johnson & Julie Kelly took no prisoners as they opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win Helen Haigh & Sue Fogg dropper their first set but came back for a half 3-6, 6-4 but Sandra Hudson & Anna Wyse lost 2-6, 2-6. In the second round Christine & Julie were heading for a firsts et win when a stranger wandered onto the courts through an unlocked gate: they went on to lose the set but gathered themselves to take the second for a 6-7, 6-0 half. Helen & Sue Hammered their opposition 6-0, 6-2 and Sandra & Anna took a good win 6-1, 7-5. Christine & Julie returned to form with a pulsating 6-0, 6-0 win, Helen & Sue took a surprising 6-0, 7-5 win and Sandra & Anna finished things up with a 6-3, 6-3 to win the match 7 rubbers to 2. That was a shame for Wyvern.
At the same time The Men’s Cees team was just up the road at Compton, so almost home but not quite so injured Captain Chris Osbourne decided to pop up to support his troops. He arrived in time to pick up the score card: it was all over. Chris Wright & Greg Cheesborough started well with a firsts et 4-6 but faltered and dropped the second 1-6 for a half. Matt Pickett & Steve Johnson dropped their firsts et 5-7 but won the second 6-3 for another half but J Gaucci & Lyndsey Ross saw very little in their 1-6, 0-6 loss. Second round Chris and Greg were quickly back in the warm losing 1-6, 1-6, Matt & Steve lost 3-6, 2-6 and J & Lyndsey were never on the score board 0-6, 0-6. Last round Chris & Greg were turned over 2-6, 1-6, Matt & Steve 2-6, 0-6 and J & Lyndsey lost 1-6, 1-6 to end a 1-8 battering – but against the Compton & Shawford A Team: Ain’t that a shame.
Wife came home on Saturday after two weeks in Barcelona: she celebrated All Saints Day by visiting a monastery. Took ages to clean up after the party on Friday night but keep that to yourself as Leon and I will be in real trouble if she finds out! Sorry if your invitation didn’t arrive in time: it was really great and the orange juice flowed like champagne.
Next week: Busy
Remember to celebrate the Great October Revolution on 6th & 7th November unless you are a Tsarist in which case it would be better to forget it and if you are a Communist it is probably a good idea to forget it too.
Saturday 11th November: Mixed Boyz at home to Southampton University and Boys 14 & Under away to Totally Tennis.
Sunday 12th November: Men’s Dees at home to Compton B team 10:00, Ladies Aces away at Wellow and Boys 16 & Under at home to Swanmore 14:00.
Title: Fats Domino: it could have been any of the following that suit our reports but I chose Ain’t that a shame 1955. Others were Blue Monday 1956, Whole Lotta Loving 1958 and You always hurt the one you love 1963 – which were quite appropriate too.