The men kicked off their Sussex League season in style, with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Amherst’s third team at home last Sunday.

In sunny and warm conditions, with a wind that fortunately didn’t match the bluster of the forecast, James Saunders and Simon Sherwood got off to a nervy start against the stronger opposition pairing, with the odd dropped service game in the first set.  Once the jitters of their first competitive match in 15 months had passed, the pair took advantage of the opposition’s obvious preference for the low bounce of their artificial grass home turf and took the first set 6-4. A more comfortable set followed, which James and Simon won 6-2 to clinch the rubber.

Meanwhile on court 2, there was another right hand/left hand partnership of Rob Grey and Josh Cottingham. Josh’s miraculous recovery from a nail-in-foot injury the previous weekend was laid home by some strong serving and excellent baseline play against a slightly lop-sided second opposition pairing comprising a stylish and hard-hitting singles specialist with a relative newcomer to the game. Proving that a victory in doubles requires a more even balance in ability, Rob and Josh overcame the opposition for a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win.

James and Simon comfortably won their second rubber 6-0, 6-0 which just left Rob and Josh to finish the job against Amherst’s stronger pairing.  Showing considerable grit, they came back in the first set to force a tie-break which they subsequently won. A more convincing 6-4 score in the second set followed to take the rubber.

Very well done to all players who gave up their Sunday to play tennis, even though it was all over in three hours due to the one-sided nature of the contest

James Saunders, Men’s Captain

The next game is on Saturday 29th May when the men hope to continue their winning start playing away at The Green.