Writhlington 1sts 10 – 0 Downend and Frenchay 1sts
Patrick Lodge and Mandy Baldwin played against Harvey (geezer) and Nat, who is only fourteen from Downend and Frenchay.
The tone was set for a good-natured match, which it was for the most part.
The first set went with serve until Nat broke, Writhlington held their serves to take the first set 6–2. The second set was also going with serve until they broke Harvey’s at 2-2, Writhlington won the second set, 6–2.
The second match against Rich and Gina was played in a good spirit, no dodgy line calls. Writhlington had some great close to the net rallies and as much as Rich tried his hardest to out muscle them, they were just too strong for them. 6-2, 6-4 win.
Hamish O’Mahoney and Sarah Dawe took on Rich and Gina and at first, struggled to settle into the game. Rich had a fast-paced game and was quick at the net and Gina had a strong forehand. It took Writhlington a while to relax and they stayed game for game until taking the set, 6-4. They found their stride in the second set and Hamish was confidently rallying with spin and pace to demoralise the opposition. The second set flew by without too much trouble and they took the set, 6-0.
Hamish and Sarah then played Harvey and Nat. The change of pace after sitting out for a while took them by surprise and they lost the first set quickly, 2–6, but this served to galvanise them into action and they quickly went 5–1 up, only to relax too soon and Harvey and Nat clawed back to 5–4, but Writhlington claimed the set 6-4. The final set was incredibly athletic with Hamish successfully pulling off a backward shot between his legs and then to go on and win that point. Harvey’s outspoken nature spurred them on (and Nat to withdraw more) to epic rallies with Sarah managing to hold her own in the ferocious pace and Hamish returning superbly until deftly finishing the point. Amazing play, applauded by all the supporters, Writhlington took the final set 6-4 to win, with too many amazing shots and ’gets’ by Hamish to mention them all here!
Downend and Frenchay 2nds 2 – 8 Writhlington 2nds
Three cars from Writhlington all rolled up together at 6 p.m., so they got started early on Downend’s new hardcourts, which are fully floodlit with huge run out areas. Downend were proud, rightly so, of the fact that they had built the courts using no borrowed money, and their only real expenses were the land rent to the cricket club and putting money into a sinking fund for court repairs/renewals.
Andy Jeffery and Janie Bullus took on young coach, Josh and definitely-not-a-coach, Pauline. With Josh making mistake after mistake and Pauline unable to put a backhand together, Andy and Janie were easy winners, 6–0, 6–2, with one of the lost games being four consecutive errors by Andy! Callum Nowell and Christine Hunt had a much longer rubber against Jane and Remin, with Jane using the “annoying lob tactic” to get at Callum. However, they stood firm and won through, 6–4, 6–4.
Tea was taken at half-time in their temporary club house (large garden shed!), and the floodlights were needed for the second rubbers.
Andy and Janie made short work of Jane and Remin by crucifying any lobs and putting everything to Remin’s backhand, resulting in a double donut, 6–0, 6–0. Against Callum and Christine, Josh stopped making so many errors, and did all the running to make up for Pauline, and at just before nine the Writhlington pair eventually caved in, 6–4, 6–3.
An 8–2 win away from home is always welcome, but Callum was muttering that it should have been a 10–0 to Writhlington!