I was chastised on Monday as I had totally forgotten about the American Tournament last weekend so I will tell you about that today. The last match of the meteorological Summer required our Apsley A team to trek to Winchester on a blustery afternoon on Saturday. The Senior men’s B team didn’t have to go anywhere at all as Portswood failed to raise a team and consequently we can put that down as a win. Photo: Apsley A at Winchester.
I will start with news from last weekend. I overlooked the fact that there was to be an American Tournament last Sunday (not the one just gone but the last one before that – now concentrate). I told the Chairperson lady that it wasn’t mentioned on the website so how could I know about it but she pointed out that it was mentioned in the minutes of the last Committee Meeting. Well as I don’t look at those until the next meeting that didn’t greatly help! Christine reported “So only 10 turned up (see it wasn’t only me!)for the American tournament, was it because it was too hot or what! Also lovely Helen H turned up to watch despite being unable to play. Anyway I think we all had a great afternoon, with a mixed doubles tournament and lovely tea and cakes and banter. Mark (are you sure?) won the men and Connie the ladies. Was that because her fan club all turned up to support her?” Next day I had this report “In my report on the American tournament I said the winner was Mark , but in fact it was also Steve J. Can you adjust it please.”. So Steve Johnston won the men and Connie won the ladies, after review by the auditor obviously.
Up the road during the week we had the Hampshire & IoW County Championship at which I counted 13 of our players (James and Sam Ardley, Milan Bharadia, James Blair, Martyna Ciubatiuk, Mats, Frankie & Summer Colling, David Darrock, Magda & Marcin Kornijczuk, Erin Perry and Freddie Swain) competing. Going alphabetically, James Ardley won the Consolation of the Boy’s 18 & Under by beating Milan Bharadia. In the Men’s Open Consolation James beat Milan in the semi and then beat Mats Colling in the third set of the final. James & Milan reached the semi-final of the Boy’s 18 & Under doubles. David Darrock reached the quarter final of that completion. Sam Ardley reached the quarter final of the Boy’s 14 & Under but Freddie Swain did not progress at all in that draw (see later though). James Blair & Mats Colling were runner-up in the Men’s Doubles in which James Ardley & Milan Bharadia lost in the first round and David Darrock reached the quarter-final. Martyna Ciubatiuk won the final of the Girl’s 14 & under doubles and Erin Perry reached the consolation final of that event but didn’t have much joy apart from that. Martyna reached the final of the Girl’s 16 & Under. Frankie Colling played in the Open women’s singles and doubles end enjoyed her matches. Summer Colling reached the semi-finals of the ladies open singles and the semi-finals of the women’s doubles beating Magda Kornijczuk in the process, who had knocked out mum in the previous round. Magda also won the Women’s Consolation (beating her doubles partner!). Marcin Kornijczuk made the quarter finals of the 10 & Under singles and won two of his 4 matches in the doubles. I think that is all but if it is not try taking a look at the tournamentsoftware yourself.
Saturday afternoon in Winchester the Apsley A team faced a strong team. Ben Jublin & Steph Caitlin had a close match losing in the tie break in the third set, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7. Mats Colling & Dita Mezahorokova pulled off a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win but Chris Harrold & Summer Colling lost 6-7, 4-6 while Magda Kornijczuk & James Ardley roared to a 6-2, 6-0 win. All square as Dita & Steph had a disappointing match losing 6-3, 0-6, 6-7 but Summer & Magda won with a solid 6-4, 6-1. Ben & Mats took no prisoners winning 6-3, 6-0 but Chris & Kames lost another tight match 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 for a draw: moral of this tale is “improve your tie-breaks chaps”! One more match on 14th September -but we can’t win the league anyway. Apsley B play next week – also at home.
On my walk on Tuesday I saw the House Martins assembling for their migration south: must admit by the end of Tuesday I wished I could join them. Just think about what we would do without these useful migrants: put screens on our windows to keep the insects outside.
Another useful marketing hint: Donkey Cheese sells for $3,000 per kilo so if you have some room in your garden here is an opportunity. Don’t all of you go doing it or the price will collapse and the issue of ASBO’s will rise enormously.
Finally if you were planning a holiday to swim with the Bullnose Dolphins – you can’t as it has been banned: also hurry up and visit the Great Barrier Reef before it is dead – come to think about it is visitors that contributed to its downfall – one of those less useful migrants I guess.
DO NOT FORGET: GREAT PROGRAMME OF FINALS NEXT SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER. BARBECUE AT LUNCHTIME. ADULT, JUNIOR AND MINI MATCHES AND ADULT-CHILD TOUCH TENNIS TOURNAMENT.
Next week: Saturday 7th Apsley B at home to Compton & Shawford.
Title: Oasis, 1994 Album – in the news this week as that album launched their success.