Life members Cup Report – presented by David Jones
The competition commenced with Mark Graham(1)and Ross Smith(2) v A. Rowley(1) and W. Stanton(2). Kiama got off to a flyer, leading 4-0 before the Southern Team moved up a gear taking the set 6-4. There was some electrifying rallying during this match with Ross producing some terrific drives and power volleys and Mark in wonderful touch and producing change of pace, McEnroeish touches at the net and wonderful consistency and power when serving.
Bob(3) and DJ(4) stepped up for Set 2 realizing there was to be no easy meal today. Bob showing why he has enjoyed so much success on the Senior’s circuit and providing his wonderful coverage of the court, producing power, placement and amazing consistency and every now and then DJ, coming out of a mist of admiration for The Master, provided his three penny bit…my turn??? The match was tight and enjoyable and certainly did not reflect the closeness of the match…Kiama 6-2.
In Set 3 Bob and Mark produced some terrific play against the gun No.1 Mark and supported superbly by No. 3 Steve. Down 5-1, Bob and Mark produced some of the best tennis of the day and battled long and hard with some incredible rallies covering the length and breadth of the court. Alas, the score ended with a 6-3 win for the locals. Great match!
Set 4 Ross with his 40# pressure in his strings and DJ battled hard against Big Abe and Colin and probably did not produce the silky performance required. Colin Abely? provided a lively supporting role to the No.2 and in the end Southern prevailed 6-3. In Set 5, Mark and DJ played slamming No. 1 Wayne and No. 4 Colin…Mark and DJ were trailing 4-1 when David said to Mark “It’s time”. David began playing like a man ‘possessed’ diving for ball after ball. Mark’s job was to pick David up off the ground after each dive. DJ Served at 5-5 and demoralized the opposition. It was all over…7-5 to Mark and David Jones.
Set 6 was an amazing match with the perspiration and spitting rain pouring off all 4 Players…A wonderful battle across the net! At times we thought one or all of the foursome would leap over the net and do what one does inside the ring to enhance the great fight for supremacy, however, etiquette prevailed and the 78 ft by 45 ft contest was finally won by Southern in a gripping tie breaker 7-6.
At this stage the locals were leading by 4 sets to 2 and 32 games to 29. However, going into the final 2 sets We knew there was still the a mighty hope of turning this wonderful contest around and following our fitness coach’s advise of “more tea and cake”… We set off on our quest for glory…
With the lights coming on and possibility of rain, the decision, against local concern, was to play on 2 courts for our final 2 matches.
Set 7 saw Mark and Ross playing Steve and Colin. What a match! And the tide was turning towards a possible turn around in our tea leaves…Visitors by 6 to 3.
Now both Teams were locked at 35 games apiece and 4-3 in matches to the locals…What a Finish! Mark and Ross and their counterparts rushed next door to gain a vantage to the Grand Finale…Bob and DJ v’s Wayne and Abe…
Against all odds Bob and Dave after an early lead found themselves level at 4-4…who is going to reign supreme? The audience, munching on left over sandwiches and downing more nervous cups of tea saw the boys from Southern win the day 6-4…Ahhhh!
If only…that tie breaker, one less game, one more game and so on and so on…
Southern Districts 5 sets to 3 and 41 games to 39.
Congratulations to Southern’s Wayne, Abe, Steve and Colin and well done to our courageous foursome of Mark, Ross, Bob and Dave. We are all looking forward to Next Time!
Thanks also to Southerners for their Après party at the Club…Great Day had by All.
