As we approach the event of the year next weekend (FUND RAISING DAY ON 7TH MAY 2017 – SEE BELOW AND “What’s On” section) our anticipation rises in buckets. Fortunately we were able to bring two Aegon County fixtures forward to this weekend so these are the fascinating events with which I can entertain you this week. Also we had two Over 45s matches mid-week. Photo: Men’s County Aegon Team v Littleton.
I suppose I can start with a mid-week fixture involving our Men’s Over 45 A Team, affectionately called the Vets. To me a Vet is that bloke I take the dog to when she has been in some scrape with a fox, bit of rusty corrugated iron, barbed wire or even to have her Kennel Cough puff up her nose: she certainly doesn’t like that up her for sure! Anyway this team of Vets included the Pairing of Jay Kim & Kees de Groot did serious damage to the Winchester C #1 pairing 6-1, 6-1 while the other pair of Vets Matt Pitman & Peter Colling had a rather tougher time in winning 6-1, 4-6 10-5. Still after a warming cup of cocoa they continued with Jay & Kees winning 6-3, 6-3 and Matt & Peter winning 6-1, 6-2. Good one old chaps – good to get the old news out of the way first! Mind you these vets appear all over the place. Jay was off with the Elite men last weekend and here he is with our bunch of animal clinicians.
To carry on with the Over 45s, the Men’s B team was away at VA Southampton last Monday. Kevin Porter & Paul Stavely had an interesting match inning 6-2, 7-6 while Greg Cheesborough & Steve Johnson came back from one set down to win 5-7, 6-2, 1-0. Kevin & Paul also came back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 while Greg & Steve cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 win. So an emphatic win to follow up the one at the beginning of April.
Saturday saw a mixed team hard at it at the Club. Slavek’s team (including four Collings) showed great pluck and determination in overcoming powerful opposition but pulled off a total miracle to leave the Pavilion looking clean and shiny in readiness for the Fund Raising shindig on next Sunday 7th May. If you haven’t yet bought tickets for coaching you had better hurry up because they are rapidly being purchased and they will be more expensive on the day. If you opt for a training session you can get in cheaper than if you don’t: honestly someone has really missed a trick here! Contact a Committee Member if you want to try to buy a ticket. Other thing running out fast is places in the Boy’s and Girl’s Road to Wimbledon event on 14th May: contact Bill Chatterton to secure your child’s involvement.
Sunday started quite well with the Aegon Ladies team against David Lloyd A due on court at 0900 (well before Mats was out of bed I have been informed). Summer Colling, Abby Whatley, Anna Vinnell and Frankie Colling were all ready and raring to go this being an important match as if Thornden were to win they will have a great chance of being in the Regional League next season as the other team in the league has already been beaten by David Lloyd A. Well it never happened. David Lloyd called on Sunday morning, before Mats was up, to say they had been unable to raise a team and so they conceded the match.
About 10:00, once Mats was up and about, the Aegon County Men strolled in to the club to start their match against Littleton A. This match was brought forward from the afternoon due to the bad weather forecast, but not too early as their star players needed their beauty sleep. Mats Colling, Tim Cook, James Ardley and Alex Billingham were due to play but at the last minute Alex had to pull out due to injury. Peter Colling stepped in for the doubles and Sam Ardley for a non-counting singles (he is ineligible due to having played in two teams already). This youth team is strong, especially that chef bloke. The doubles were quickly won with Mats & Tim winning 6-0, 6-0 and James & Peter 6-1, 6-0. At the start of the singles the smart money was on Sam Ardley (playing his first Open event at 11 years old) beating his opponent. And that was the way it went with him winning 6-1, 6-1. Mats won 6-0, 6-0, James won 6-0, 6-3, Tim won 6-0, 6-1: a good squad this team’s first year in the Open event – well Tim and Peter do have a few years longer but you get my meaning.
Next Weekend: SUNDAY 7TH APRIL CLUB FUND RAISING EVENT: Play with the former David Cup stars, dazzle with your serving speed, sparkle in coaching groups and enjoy the spectacle of an exhibition match. BE THERE FROM 10:00. EXHIBITION MATCH AT 14:00. BBQ and other fancy food available.
Matches: Saturday: Men’s A-Team at home to Bassett A, Men’s Bees at home to Avondale B, Men’s Cees away to Hedge End & Priory, Ladies at home to Warsash (not Aegon).Boys 12s are away to Portsmouth Tennis Academy and Girl’s 16s are away to Kingsley. Sunday the Men’s Elite are away at VA Dorset and Boy’s 14s are away to Portsmouth TA.
Title: opening line of Indian Love Song is “When I’m Colling You” which seemed appropriate (When I’m Colling you): 1924 – yeah it is a tenuous link but it is a Bank Holiday Weekend.