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4th Team Captain - Paul Doody 01952 222757 Mob. 07977 012202

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Bridgnorth 4 - Home

The weather looked threatening and so did Bridgnorth. They are known for their late starts and strong finish. Pete and Russell played 1, Sam and I played 2.

The first rubbers went ok. Sam and I wrapped up a 6-3, 6-2 win but Pete and Russell went down to the first pair 4 and 2. We changed around and the results were identical. Unfortunately we lost them both.

Bridgnorth are a strong side and we were closer than the score suggests in all matches so a good team performance. The point could prove invaluable. 20 points is a reasonable total and gives us a chance of staying up.

All down to you lads in the last match to ensure that we stay up. No pressure Alan!

Cound 3 - Home

There are no easy games in this division. Cound are bottom of the table but not to be underestimated.

Sam and I played 2, Alan and Pete played 1. After 10 minutes Sam and I were up in the first set and Cound had lost three balls, one to a mis-kick in the corner. Sam and I won the firt set 6-3 and Alan and Pete also won their first set. Things looked ok until Sam and I lost the will to live and the second set 1-6. Dave and Adrian may have disarmed us with their constant badinage. Very amusing but at times disconcerting. It doesn't help when you are short of balls.

Anyway, my excuses over we were 6-8 down in the tie break but went on to win 10-8. Phew! Alan and Pete won there first rubber and we were 2-0 up.

On the changeover we had an interesting match with niggly Frank and Graham who had obviously been studying in the Pete Swinfen college of serving. Sam was doing a plausible impression of a boy playing in diving boots. Adrian 'the wag' suggested we should make sure Sam didn't get his hands on a razor.

Sam and I won 4 and love, Alan and Pete went down in the 10 point tie break. Perhaps they were distracted by the antics. Good result 7-1. We had to take points from this match.

Shifnal 4 - Away - OUCH!

There is no easy way to say this. We were murdered. High spot of the evening was the photo of Fathers and sons. Hope Sam was smiling.

The discerning aficionado could reasonably have expected Shifnal 4 to be weaker than Shifnal 3, who we beat by 2 games. It was not to be. Sam and I played the 2 Robs who played up for Shifnal three last time and beat us 7-6, 7-6. They must have learnt something. I was getting a lot of hits and we went down 6-1, 6-1. Meanwhile Alan and Dale went down 6-0, 6-2 to the youngsters, or 'the professionals' as we liked to call them.

After a quick turnaround Sam and I lost 2 and love to the pros while Alan and Dale fared a little better with the Robs. Can't remember the score but we certainly didn't have to wait for the floodlights this time.

Shifnal 4 are top of the table and certs for promotion.

Shifnal 3 - Away

Well there we were on Shifnal's nice new courts raring to go. Hope we get on with it. I've got a bar-b-cue to go to. Alan and Alex played 1, Sam and I were 2. I recognise some faces here and they aren't bad players. Sam and I played double Robs while the double A's played Grunting Gary and Lusty Les (sorry Les, I will do anything for a little alliteration.)

Sam and I went 5-2 up but they got into gear and came back to win the tie break 8-6. Similar pattern in the second set and they won the tie break 9-7, so we were 1 down. Alex and Alan won one, lost one and went down in the 10 point tie break. 2 down and counting.

A mountain to climb now. Sam and I edged in front and just managed to stay there. Gary and Les specialised in getting everything back, still, we persevered and came out eventual winners 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile Alan and Alex were playing the match of their lives. They lost the first set and won the second. It was all on the 10 point tie break. The double A's played a blinder with great consistency and aggression, winning 10-7. Its all down to the game count in the pub at 2 rubbers all, 5 sets all.

I finally got away after 10:00. The situation wasn't helped when the lights went off mid last set and took 10 minutes to warm up before they came back on.

I reached the bar-b-cue at 10:30. 1 beefburger and 1 sausage left (but the dog had that). It didn't matter when Alan phoned to say we had won by 2 games. What a fantastic result!

Well done Alex and Sam and especially Mr Chairman on your return to competitive tennis. Hope it isn't too easy for you here in the 4th team.

Worfield 2 - Away

The mens 4th team had chosen a warm and sunny day to travel to Worfield to play Worfield 2. I arrived early due to very light traffic in Wolverhampton and decided that a brisk walk around the village would be a good "warm up". The imposing 12th Century church at the centre of Worfield has one of the finest spires in Shropshire and also a splendid bench around a tree trunk, which is particularly useful for stretching exercises. The rest of our team, being Pete, Russell and Alex had turned up by the time i got back to the courts and we were able to have an extended practice session. This went well with powerful groundstrokes, crisp volleys and thunderous serves........................it all seemed very promising up until 18.25 when the home team turned up and we lost.

Mark

Broseley 1 - Home

The weather was set fair, the sandwiches were ordered and we were all set for a good night of tennis. Mark and the debutante Russell were playing 1 and Sam and I were 2.

Broseley were fielding a couple of very competent young chaps and a couple of experienced players. We recognised Rob who you may recall used 12 year old Sam for target practice last time we met.

Sam and I got off to a great start against John and Alex, and won the first set 6-0. We couldn't do anything wrong, but you know what's coming. I became too passive in the second set and lobs went short or long. Too much chipping, not enough driving. This made Sam try too hard with his drives going long and we lost the second set 2-6. We lost the tie break 6-10 and I was kicking myself. A great recovery by John and Alex.

Meanwhile Mark and Russell played very consistently against the ones, 0-6, 0-6. They showed a marked improvement in their second match 0-6, 1-6. All great experience and a great opportunity to play your shots and have fun.

Sam and I now played Richard and Rob. 5-3 up in the first set but lost it 7-5. The memories came flooding back as the volleys from Rob zipped past our ears. Sam and I came back to win the second set 6-0. Perhaps we were energised by the full blooded double handed forehand drive from Rob. Range: 10 feet. Target: between my eyes. Just got the handle there in time. 6-2 down in the tie break but nicked it 10-8 with some inspired play. Every point counts.

Rob stalked off and never said goodbye. His colleagues conceded that he was "very competitive" which I think we all understand. John and Alex came back to the Cock but omitted to stand a round. I would like to say it was a pleasure.

Worfield 4 - Home

Well it's the start of another campaign and we were hosts to those excellent fellows from Worfield. We expect to see a great deal of them this year as we are playing Worfield 2, 3 and 4.

Pete and Mark played 1 and Sam and I played 2 and a couple of wiley old bustards they were, called Bob and Jeremy. We had a tremendous first set. 2-1 down, 4-2 up, 5-5, Gargantuan service hold to go 6-5 up. Service to love for 6-6. 4-1 up in the tie break, 6-5 down in the tie break and came back to win it 8-6. Shame someone had to lose but best it was them. We took the next 6-2 but the set was not without cunning chops, right angle slice and great stealth from our opponents.

Pete and mark went down 6-2 , 6-4 and had a wait on their hands for the next rubber.

Sam and I then played John the skipper and Ray Hawthorn. Ray and I go back a while. We used to play five-a-side at Dawley Phoenix in about 1875. He was a red and I was a blue or Wrekin Council against long haired uns. No love lost there! Ray is a very good player but the powerful play suited Sam more so I just got em back and Sam put em away.

We ended up winners at 6-2, 6-2

Now it was our turn to wait. The gritty bustards were doing it all again to Pete and Mark. 2-6 in the first set, 6-4 in the second only to lose the ten point tie break in the end. Anyway the extra set proved vital and great news for everyone. I now understand where 6 points to 2 comes from, thanks to several explanations from a rather patient Bob in the pub. Good beer, sandwiches and company. Thanks to Carol for her criticism support.

Sam couldn't make it to the pub due to a sudden influx of homework. Couldn't be anything to do with that damn Call of Duty could it?

Home and away matches will start at 6.30pm.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to starting for warm up session.
There will be a cost of £7.00 per match to cover refreshments.
E-Mail: p.doody@stratacreative.co.uk