aviewfromthemiddle's name

City League Division 4
Thursday 30th June
Stanmore C

We entertained old friends Stanmore C, we had a good record against them and were hoping for our first win of the season. Rick replaced Mary in the line up. Stanmore had their usual line up but fielded one new players.

Any hopes of a win, were soon dashed as our opponents made a flying start. Rick and I had no answer to their strong finishing. We had some long rallies and games but never looked like winning a game.

Nick and Tony little better against a very strong youngster. Our pair did win one game, but the match was lost at the hal way stage.

We improved in the second rubbers. Rick and I managed an early break and had chances but failed to take them leaving us with a 15-1 defeat. Nick and Tony won 3 games next door.

So a humiliating defeat and against a very strong side.

Thursday 19 May
City League Division 4
Brooke B home

We entertained Brooke B looking to kick start our season. There was a late start to the match after traffic problems.

Against a strong pair, Tony and I struggled to find any form. We had chances but failed to take them. Finally we won a game for a 15-1 defeat.

Next door Nick and Mary were locked in a titanic struggle. The visitors prevailed 9-7 to leave us with another mountain to climb.

As the weather took a turn for the worse, we improved our play. Tony and I made a slow start, but found some form and started to come back into the match. Some good serving saw us win 5 games, leaving us with a respectable 11-5 defeat.

Nick and Mary took control old their match taking the lead. We looked on course for a good win leading 8-4. Brooke had other ideas and won 4 games in a row to force a draw.

Another heavy defeat and we look doomed at the moment. Next week is a must win game when we travel to Stanmore D, a game we can win.

So it all came down to this match. A win would almost certainly book our place in division 4 for next season, anything else would mean relegation. Brooke were 1 point behind us and had to play bottom club Jarrolds and 2nd place Easton College both away. Our biggest crowd of the season had gathered to watch the battle, 2 of whom were from Stanmore. Stanmore C had been hit by call offs and fielded 3 family members and a girl friend. We had a chance, especially with Mary back in the side.

Any thoughts of an easy win were soon brushed away. Mary and I found ourselves under pressure from the start. A broken string didn’t help our cause. Somehow we clawed our way back to lead 3-1. Gradually we came to terms with the opposition and started to pull ahead. We lead 9-3, but a poor last 4 games saw us win 9-7. Would this be costly? Still a good win.

Next door, Nick and Peter were always on top. Leading 5-1 and looking comfortable. The visitors started to come back but we always had the upper hand, running out 11-5 winners.

So our season came down to the final rubbers. Following our captains instructions down to the letter, Mary and I found ourselves in trouble. A barrage of winners flew passed us as we fell behind 3-1. It did not look good. Still next door we were leading so we still looked good.

At the mid point, Nick and Peter were still ahead, but Mary and I trailed as our struggles continued. However, the tide was turning on both courts. Nick and Pete were being pegged back. As the scores were passed, we realised we were nearly there, just 2 games needed. Finally our opponents were going off the boil and we were beginning to take charge. We pulled level and then finished off the job winning 9-7. Next door, Nick and Peter had hung on for 9-7. So a great end to the season, a close match but we won 38-26.

Now we have to wait and see what our fate is to be. Brooke need 3 points from 2 games to stay up. We have ended with a respectable 9 points. The highlight will be our shock win at Easton College. It is they that will decide our fate.

Monday 27th July

City League Division 4

Cringleford B away

On a dull miserable evening we made our final away trip of the season, as we visited top of the table Cringleford B. They had a 100% record and we would be up against it. Mary was unavailable, so Tony came in.

We were soon in trouble losing the first 8 games, finally we both held serve, against relentless opponents. We won another game as we went down 3-13.

Nick and Peter faired little better, their usual solid game proving not enough against stern opposition. We went down 4-12.

The reverse rubbers were no relief for us. Tony and I had no answer against a consistent solid pair. I held serve to avoid a whitewash, but that was all we won, going down 15-1

Next door Nick and Peter restored some pride with a tight rubber. We were always behind but our opponents were never allowed to run away with. A 6-10 defeat was a good effort. So an expected heavy defeat against a top team.

Our hopes of avoiding the drop hang by a thread. We are 1 point clear of the relegation zone. We need a miracle now or a win in our last match at home to a strong Stanmore C team, next week.

North Norfolk League

Tuesday 14 July

Net Cords v Baseliners

With the end of the season looming, we faced a difficult local derby, away to title chasing Net Cords. We were hoping to end our poor run against Rick’s team. Net Cords were looking to clinch the runners up spot, with Aylsham almost champions. We had a strong team out with Geof joining me, with Anne and Chris Chapman making up the ladies. By contrast, the hosts had players missing with David and Diane Groves making a return to the league after having played for Grasshoppers in the past. Nicky and Jess completed their team.

Geof and I made a flying start winning the first 5 games before David held served. We closed out the set for 6-1. Our opponents raised their game and it was tighter,but kept our control to win 6-1 in the 2nd. Next door our ladies made a flier winning the first set 6-1 but the second set was tighter, as we won 6-4.

Anne and I started in the mixed looking to win the set that would clinch the rubber. we face Diane and Jess. It was turning damp with the weather closing in. We knew we had to win the first set quickly. Playing aggressively we romped home 6-1. The 2nd set was tighter as we relaxed a bit. It was 2-2 and I faced 4 break points some good services, including 2 aces brought us to deuce. We closed out the set and our opponents wilted going down 6-2.

Next door, David was in good form as we dropped the 1st set 6-4. The second set was tighter and Chris Chapman, once again, found herself in a long battle. It went to a tie break which we edged 10-8.

So a big win that sees us move up to 4th and ends Net Cords faint chance of the title. We face to more big games against Taverham and North Elmham as we look to finish on a high.