Away day Saturday saw The A-Team at Avondale, and Cees at Lyndhurst while the Ladies took the day off in preparation for Warsash on Sunday in the Aegon County level match (the first, and last, of the season) and The Mixed 10s were in Wickham in the Aegon County Division 2. Sunday the Girl’s 16s were home to VA Hampshire Club and the Boy’s 14s team was at Swanmore and of course the Ladies were down in Warsash.

Wicked-ham was the view of the boys from their visit to a place of a similar name for a match that had nothing in it for the home team. Sam Ardley (who ttravelled with Sam G as Mum was watching gee-gees somewhere near Swindon) brushed aside his opponent in a 4-0, 4-0 win. Sam Goodridge did the same as did Joseph Mills and Travis Coleman. Into the doubles and more of the same with Sam2 winning 4-0, 4-0 and Joe & Travis completing the whitewash.

The Men’s A-Team was at Avondale on the Saturday. This proved another successful trip with (not necessarily in the order it was played) Phil Lawrence & Mats Colling winning 6-2, 6-2 vs their #3s, Pete Colling & Jay Kim beating their #2s 6-4, 2- 6 and then 11-9 in the tie break. Matt Pitman & Simon Watson lost to their #1 pair 1-6, 2-6 so we were 2-1 up after first round. In the second Phil & Mats had a really tight match against the Avenue #1 but won 7-6, 6-7, 10-8, Pete & Jay won 6-7, 7-6 and the tie break against their #3 while Matt & Simon went down 1-6, 2-6 to their #2 pair. So 4-2 as we went to the final round. Mats & Phil comfortably won 6-1, 6-3 against the Avenue #2s, Pete & Jay had a tight match but lost 6-7, 5-7 but Matt & Simon to win 6-3, 2-6, 10-4 (I think).

The Cees went to Lyndhurst where Chris Osborne reported “A flying start” though quite what Lyndhurst and flying have to do with tennis I am not quite sure. Linsay Ross & John Francis made a comfortable start winning 6-2, 6-1 against the New Forest team #3s. Chris Osborne & Tony Slinsby made a slow start to take the first set 6-7 but upped their pace to take the second 6-2 (Lyndhurst #2s). Stuart Rae & Steve Thompson undid Lyndhurst #1s 6-0, 6-1. So far so good: 3-0 up. Lindsay & John sorted out their #1s 6-2, 6-3, Chris & Tony won the first set 6-1, somehow dropped the second 4-6 only to lose the tie break – to the Lyndhurst #3s although there appeared to be some skulduggery at work I am informed. Stuart & Steve worked their magic on the #2s 7-5, 6-4 in a most interesting match. So the score was 5-1 and all to play for? Lindsay & John tied up a satisfactory afternoon winning 6-2, 6-3 (#2s), Chris & Tony won 6-2, 6-2 (#1s) and Stuart & Steve rounded out a good day with a 6-3, 6-4 win – and they all joined the traffic queues trying to get out of the New Forest!

 Sunday was meant to be Va Va Voom but VA Gloucester didn’t make it to Thornden due to a lack of players thus ruining a really great headline. It is understood that they will withdraw from the league. As a result the team of Paul Scullard, Karim thingamebob, Tim Cook, Harry Dunnett et al had a restful afternoon. Not that Paul needed a rest: he had been in Croatia all week with his feet up watching his mates play and occasionally lifting a racquet instead of a beer to play a bit of doubles.

VA Hampshire Club brought along a former Thornden Star – Estella Hurlock to play with their Girl’s 16 & Under team. Lydia Kelly had a good tussle with Estella but eventually won 6-2, 7-5. Magda Kornicjzuk had a clean score sheet 6-0, 6-0 whiel Anna Vinnell dropped a game in winning 6-1, 6-0. Jocelyn lost her first set 2-6 but didn’t let go in the second eventually losing 5-7. So 3-1 up after the singles as Lydia and Magda worked their usual magic to win 6-2, 6-0 while Anna & Jocelyn dropped the first set 4-6 but came back to win the second 6-4 and challenge all the way but lost 8-10 in the tie break. A solid 4-2 win for the Girls 16 & Under – this team has one in the 16 year old bracket, one in the 14 & Under and two in the 12 & Under age group!

The Ladies went to Warsash without any reinforcements from the Girl’s team, played really well but still were thoroughly beaten. Abby Morriss had a torrid time losing 4-6, 0-6. Frankie Colling lost 2-6, 2-6, Helen Haigh 0-6, 1-6 and Sue Wells 0-6, 1-6. Abby and Frankie then lost their double 2-6. 1-6 and Sue & Helen lost 0-6, 0-6 so not the best introduction to county level Aegon! All thanks to Sue Wells who stepped in at the last minute to make up the team.

Finally on Sunday afternoon the Boy’s 14 & Under were at Swanmore where they had a troublesome afternoon. James Ardley (who's Mum was back from watching Zara Tindall - didn't she used to play Rugby for England: multi talented these royals) won his singles 6-0, 6-1 but Milan Bharadia had more of a struggle coming up with a win 6-4, 6-2. James Overton won his first set 6-1, then lost the second 1-6 but in a close tie break came off the loser 7-10. Todd Elliott started well too winning his first set 6-3, dropping the second 4-6 and then contrived to lose his tie break 5-10. James & Milan comfortably took their doubles 6-2, 6-4 so it was down to James O and Todd to deliver the win which they did 6-1, 5-7. Well done boys.

Oh and just to let you know that Thornden did not have a loss free April as one of the Veteran’s matches was lost. Whether we can consider this as being of critical importance depends upon your involvement. Come on chaps: please keep me informed and I can report on your successes but I need facts – the score card helps.

Today’s Title – Maybelline (May for the month, belle for the Girl's 16 & Under team pluse the ine bit that comes free with the music): Chuck Berry #5 in US Charts 1955! The lost headline was Va Va Voom by Nicki Minal 2012: reached #1 in Belgium but #20 in the UK.

Next weekend: Apsley League B team at home to VA Hamshire Club on Saturday.