Hi everyone,
MATCH HOME BLACKHEATH
The winter season has now ended with, unfortunately, a 5/0 loss to Blackheath. Entering this match we may well have expected the score lines to reflect our "top light" team without Rich (now permanently gone),Mike (injured) and Harvey (recovering from surgery).
As it transpired Karl and Chris comprehensively filled the shoes of a number one and two in this league against, what was, one of the top teams with their full complement of players.
Karl pushed his very fast opponent to five and narrowly missed nicking it.
Chris came tantalizingly close to pushing his guy to five sets but didn’t quite turn it.
Bob and i at three and four might well have expected to register a win or at least garner a few games but this was not to be. How the hell Bobs guy managed to drive and flatten that back hand from such a square stance beats me (and it beat Bob too)--hell of a wrist i reckon.
For a seven foot giant 3 stone everweight he had no conceivable right to move so bloody well-- somebody ought to tell him!!!
Peter B had a solid game against an experienced campaigner against whom the difference was some excellent boasts and reverse angles which were winners or opened the court right up..
The difference in my game was 26 yrs and not a lot else. Well played all -- we made them sweat and truly competed.
WINTER SEASON WRAP UP
This has been a frustrating season for a number of reasons
We have not benefitted from the continuity of matches every week.
The league lost cascades early on so they left two blanks. When we got knocked out of the cup that left another; and the vagaries of the league fixtures meant two more Tuesdays were empty.
We struggled in the first half to put out a competitive side and lost a number 3/2.
The Wildernesse centre management seem unable or unwilling to recognize the need for at least rudimentary maintenance and cleaning.
Compared to ALL the other clubs we visit Wilderness qualifies as third world and I am surprised that our opponents don’t complain more than they do -- it’s an embarrassment.
As has been clearly pointed out, this is NOT a situation that requires hardly any additional expense just the regular application of some elbow grease, parazone and common sense.
Unfortunately Donnington Manor is not an option; they only have one court currently being used as a storage area.
THE GOOD NEWS
We have been fortunate to welcome Mike Wright to our merry band, just at the right time with Rich & Peter C’s exit (any changes Pete??) and Harvey’s situation.
Karl has returned after several years and is playing out of his socks. Now he has been nominated into a position to fully challenge his talents.
Harvey will be coming back shortly?? – I really fancy a team with you at 3 in it Harvey!!
All of us have been eager to compete in the second half and we have won a few to remind people we can still play the game. As I said last week, the standard of this lowly league has often been surprising, and the sheer physicality of our response has been testament to the enthusiasm of the match squad.
For my own part, and I hope I speak for all, the food/ drink (well done the Crown-- and they do a great take away!!) and social have been most convivial and we have had no serious (or even minor) competitive conflict. May this very acceptable state of affairs continue to prevail?
With a healthy side we could really have a belter this summer (not likely to start for 5/6 weeks)
No news on vets yet-- will advise.
End of season curry to include all respondents /groupies???? March 3rd (unless we have a vets fixture).
Stay healthy and keep fit (that’s an order!!)
Regards MJ.
