Mind with the storms this week and Graham Taylor passing away I don’t know where to start but maybe for a change how about some tennis news. Saturday the Mixed Bros were at Home to Romsey. Sunday morning the Ladies Aces were due to be at home to Riverside A followed by the Boy’s 14s at home to David Lloyd and the Mixed 10s away to Denmead. Photo: Boy's 14 & Under team v David Lloyd.
Saturday was glorious and who would have thought we had snow on Thursday. Mind you my wife’s Ma reported a temperature of -25 Celsius last week but this week was much better: just snowing with temperatures a balmy -15C, more than we can say for Sunday when heavy rain was forecast for the morning resulting in the Ladies at home being just that – all at home while enjoying their duvets while us dog walkers were enduring the cooling droplets! The same for the Mixed 10s who stayed at home in the warm.
And so let us talk about the tennis. The Mixed Bros had a successful afternoon on Saturday despite reports of a wayward ball causing some consternation to the proceedings. The match started well with Paul Stavely & Sue Wells having a comfortable win 6-3, 6-4 while Helen Haigh and Giacomo Chiarella having an even better time to win 6-0, 6-4. In the reverse Paul & Sue were well on top in the first set (6-2) and up in the second when the opposition lady was struck in the eye and she was taken to A&E for a check. She is apparently OK Helen & Giacomo romped to a 6-4, 6-0 win. So a 3-0 win plus one more by default.
Sunday afternoon the Boy’s 14 & Under team entertained David Lloyd who true to the principles set out in the rules produced an inexperienced team of quite competent players. It was decided to start with the doubles: after warming up the start coincided with light rain returning but no problems. The doubles went to plan with James Ardley & Milan Bharadia winning 6-1, 6-0 and James Overton & Todd Elliott 6-4, 6-3. Refreshments and a rub down later JamesO quickly won 6-2, 6-0, Milan followed with 6-3, 6-2 and JamesA 6-2, 6-0. Todd won the first 6-3 then slipped to a 1-6 loss but rallied to win the tie break 10-5. So that completed the business for a 6-0 win. The David Lloyd team were worthy opponents considering they were all in the 12 & Under age group. I also commend the pla. Well done chapsyers, and their entourage, for putting up with the damp conditions - really shows how tough these tennis players can be: well done chaps.
Next week: Mixed Alpha away at Waterside on Saturday. Sunday Ladies Beauties at home to Glebians, 12 & Under Boy’s at home to DL Ringwood and maybe more junior action.
Title: Song by Buddy Holly, 1957 : this week the guitarist Tommy Allsup died: he was the one who missed out on the fateful flight when he lost the toss for his seat on the plane that crashed in 1959.