When the circus comes to town we normally expect a parade down the High Street with clowns, acrobats, cages full of lions and tigers, elephants swinging their trunks and leaving work for giant pooper-scoopers. Well we had a circus but no parade, I guess mainly because we don’t have a High Street and I wasn’t available to clown about. Still this was a special day as we welcomed two of our former Ryder Cup players: hang on a moment (Yes. Hmm, Not Ryder Cup but Davis Cup: You sure: OK so it has to be that game? Yep. Got it.): so as I was saying, two Davis Cup players (presumably from Wales) who came to help us raise money by coaching some of our Mini Players, Junior Players and bigger Junior players – but no Vets as they were all at their surgeries attending sick animals (probably those Lions, Tigers and Elephants who suffered severe post-traumatic stress at not being closed in cages and paraded down Chandlers Ford High Street. You just try explaining to a tiger why they don’t have a chance of being seen, and adored, by their adoring public!).
No parade of exotic creatures appeared on Sunday unless you were to include Danny Sapford and Luke Milligan in that description – but the clowns were good and the acrobatics in the afternoon were fantastic. The nearest to a lady being fired out of a canon was Magda Kornijczuk putting down her aces in the serving competition and Mats Colling doing likewise for the men – except he was in Poole so that didn’t really count (and it really doesn't pay to write reports before the event - will I ever learn?).
To start at the beginning: an enthusiastic group of Mini players had great fun being given some enjoyable coaching-play assisted by Milan Bharadia, James Ardley and David Darrock of this parish. Juniors followed who were given a somewhat more energetic work out. Once they had been worn down Social adults enjoyed a more gentle session and then to round off this high quality coaching session the “Team” coaching took place which certainly quietened down the more rowdy elements like Chairman Matt.
The highlight of the day was the Bill’s Boom-bang-a-bang Serve competition that was efficiently, and modestly, managed by ME. The winners, who received a medal for their efforts, were Magda Kornijczuk at 83 mph beat Milan & Jamie in the 16 & Under Sam Ardley served at 72 mph to win the 12 & Under category while the Open category was won by Tom Vinnell who put down two 89 mph serves out of three serves! The mini category was Marcin Kornijczuk but theyw ere all winners really as they were serving of a standard tennis netheight!
At 14:00 precisely Danny, Luke, Paul Scullard and Dan Lobb (what a perfect name for a tennis coach) stepped onto court, avoided tripping over the assembled ranks of spectators who despite the warnings decided to be on court with this bunch of untamed beasts, and the exhibition match started. And what a match it was: with as much rat-a-tat volleying and lobs plus Scully’s trademark lob, lots of oblique angle stuff and whatever you else you like to see. The match rolled on to a 4-4 tie wat which point the match tie-break was invoked: it all ended with the local staff decided they had enough having lost 8-10 in the tie-break. Two ”lucky” winners of a raffle (advertised as a night on a town with two stunning blokes – see you have to read the small, print guys) Matt Pitman & Milan Bharadia -joined Danny & Luke in a lively session to finish off the match but lost 4-10. At which point the ball-boys (Harry & Nicholas) challenged Danny & Luke to a shoot-out. It was agreed that the boys would play a singles court while the big-boys would play on a normal doubles court. These bbs were good coming out winners 7-4 based on the Dave, Dee, Dozy, Beaky Mick & Tich inverse reversible raincoat stiletto heel manipulation score rule invoked on such occasions by the senile referee 9as opposed to the real referee who had no idea what was going on until Danny called for a sensible ruling. Many thanks to Sam Ardley who operated as “Hawk-eye” challenge system with great impartiality (as he is to cheese & onion crisps).
Back on safe ground we had enjoyed burgers, cakes and all sorts of delights designed to tempt the taste buds of the assembled throngs. Yes it was a day to remember and we look forward to the next exciting event organised by your resourceful and hard working committee.
Title: Nelly the Elephant: sung by Mandy Miller, 1956 (Nelly the Elephant packed her trunk and said goodbye to the circus). I must emphasise that the title had absolutely no subtle meaning: just I liked the Circus bit!