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2nd Team Captain - Ray Goldsmith 01952 272575 Mob.07702 852287

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Wrekin 2 lost to Alveley 1 1-7

Strong service games were the key to the Alveley success.In the first rubber it was important for Ray and Carl to keep service return errors to a minumum.It was a good effort but in the end they lost 4-6 3-6 having never got in front.Ted and Trevor fared better in their match and once Trevor had found his base line range they forced a victory in 3 sets.On the swop over,Ted and Trevor met sterner opposition and lost 0-6 but then regrouped to go 3 up, but eventually lost 4-6.Ray and Carl had chances to win an enjoyable 2nd rubber but dissapointingly let slip an early lead to lose 4-6 3-6.

Wrekin 2 lost to Albrighton 1 1-7

After 4 wins out of 4,the 2nd's came up against a strong Albrighton side who played awkward tennis.(i.e big serves,strong returns and good net play.)Both 1st rubbers were lost in straight sets though Ray and Carl scrapped for the 2nd set taking it to 5-6 but unable to force the tie-break.In the 2nd rubbers,Joey and Trevor had no more luck with the 1st pair but Ray and Carl were more comfortable against the 2nd pair,winning a very close and enjoyable game 6-3 6-7 1-0.
Only 1 point but what a difference it makes for the team.In the after match chat it is reassuring to know that you haven't been completely rolled over.

Wrekin 2 beat Woodfield 5 8-0

On a balmy mid-summers evening the 2nd's warmed up on the sandy astro courts at Woodfield,ready to start their 4th match of the campaign.Ray and Carl were quickly out of the stalls with a 6-1 first set victory,but then had to fight back in the 2nd after going 4-2 down.Just as the set edged towards a 7point tiebreak,Carl slipped and took a tumble on the court.Did he roll around like a world cup footballer?did he wave to the bench for a magic sponge? no,with blood trickling from his poorly knee,he fought on to win the break.It makes one proud to be British.Meanwhile,Ted playing his second match with Trevor was getting use to Trevors phobia about leaving his base line.They very quickly set about their opponents winning 6-1 6-2.
in the 2nd rubbers Ray and Carl had to adjust their game against opponents who were more prepared to use the lob shot and after the intial tight 6-4, stepped up to win the next 6-0.Across on court 2,Ted and Trev were continuing their good start until a trevor serve hit Ted smack on the back of the head.Clearly Ted hasnt yet learnt of the best place to stand when trevor is serving.(behind the server perhaps).They ran out winners 6-2 6-4,victory was ours 8 points to nil but they were competitive matches.
Off to the pub we went for beer,food and some excellant world cup chat plus an interesting talk on the delights of Mauritius from Woodfield's Luke.Did you know that in Mauritius you can buy a pair of Calvin Klien trousers for £1.50 (thats about 2500 wombats).Well nor did i!

Wrekin II Vs Longden II

A super Monday with both II and III teams playing.

Due to the shortage of player, the evergreen Mr Alan Pritchard kindly agreed to offer his assistance. Being the senior II team, we had the choice of courts and duly opted for the court 3 and 4.

Ray and myself played against the best pair we have encountered so far this season. They have no weakness whatsoever. They are the James/Gary and Ant/Dec of division 4. Despite our best effort, we lost in 2 sets 6-3 6-4.

Over the other court, Trevor and Alan battled really hard to win the first set on tiebreak before running away with the second set, winning 7-6 6-2.

At half time interval our house mathematician told us it was a dead draw scenario. From now on, every game counted.

Ray and myself won our first set against their second pair in no times, losing 2 games in the process. (Perhaps 2 more than we should have.) On the next court, Alan was rejuvenated, perhaps by his brilliant performance playing for the fourth last Thursday. He was playing his best tennis in 20 years, moving well, putting volleys away, lobbing well when required. My concern was unnecessary as they won the first set by 6-3. Mrs Pritchard was happy.

By now, Ray and myself knew that the match was in our pocket, we relaxed a bit and subsequently lost two more unnecessary games, taking the rubber 6-2, 6-2.

The set seemed to have relaxed Mr Pritchard somewhat, he was now reversed back to his 108 years old self: everything were floppy, legs gone wobbly, hearing gone, eyesight operated at no more than 50%. Despite his best effort, Trevor simply couldn't carry Mr Pritchard any longer. They subsequently lost a third set tight tiebreak.

Despite everything, it was a very good 6-2 win, which seemed impossible at one stage. We snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Apart from skills, grid and determination are what the II team possess. Tough to beat, fight until the whistle is gone, making the right substitution at the right time. Three wins out of three. Favourite for promotion? Probably.

Wrekin II Vs Alveley II

It was a lovely sunny but not overly warm evening, against Alveley II who beat Alveley I, whom the third team beat.

Due to the recent withdrawal of a player, we are left with 3. Graham helped us to bury the third team, but is no longer able to offer further assistance due to injury as well as finding himself getting up one morning next to a horse’s head.

I am pleased to announce that we have successfully recruited the evergreen Ted as out team member, for a record transfer fee.

Ray and myself got off to a good start 2-0 up against their first pair. Then we uncharacteristically lost the next 6 games to be one set to nil down. We could not figure out the reason why. What captain Ray did in one point epitomize the set. He attempted to put a volley away, where the ball was so close to the top the net. In preventing the ball dropping onto the top of the tape, Ray reached over to the opponent’s court to volley. Unfortunately, he got his arms and legs tangled up and volley the ball back into our court for a winner…. for the opposition, the tennis equivalent of an ‘own goal’. Opposition politely thanked us.

We then went up a gear to win the second set and the tiebreak despite after having played on, even they thought the ball was out, then after 10 shots or so, lost the point, then said they forgot to call it out (as an after thought)!!!! Was that allowed anyway?

Ray and myself then bloodlessly disposed their second pair 2 and 0. Ted and Trevor found it hard against their second pair, due mainly to playing together for the very first time. Despite some difficulties, they came through winning the third set tiebreak. They then lost the second rubber in 3 sets.

So two wins out of two. Favorite for promotion? Who knows.

carl

A slow start saw both Wrekin pairs lose their opening sets in the first rubbers.However,Ray and Carl,Trevor and (loan signing) Ted Liddy ,won their second sets plus the ten point tie-breaks to go in at half time 2-0 to the good.Whilst watching the long long tie break of Trev and Ted's first rubber,it was duly noted by Ray and Carl that the Alveley 2nd pair could gently rally you to sleep , and so, attack! was the answer when our turn came. 6-2,6-0 was the result, but still not sure whether this was a carefully crafted plan or that the 2nd pair were just knackered.Trevor and Ted won their 2nd rubber 1st set 6-4 but then at 40 love 1-1 ,there was a blip and they eventually lost 1-6 and failed to re-group in time to save the tie-break. Never mind 3rubbers to 1 and the match played in warm sunshine and with great spirit.

Ray.

The season's opening game was a closely contested affair between 2 re-vamped sides. Ray and Carl started quickly and won in straight sets before Joey and Howard had time to revert to plan B.

In the other rubber Trevor and debutant Graham took time to gel verses Steve and Lee and despite a late rally, lost in 2 sets. In the 2nd set of games, Ray and Carl were held up by Lee's uncanny ability to return 'almost' everything played to him. Steve kept his usual station at the net (should of brought a book along to pass the time). Eventually the 2nd's triumphed 6-4,7-5 . Joey and Howard led their first set 5-1 before Trevor and Graham fought back to win the 1st set.The 2nd set went to the 3rd teamers and so it all came down to the 10 point tie-break.Trev and Graham still had petrol in the tank and took the tie-break 11-9 and so the rubber.

Well played all.