The LRTA team was in for surprise opponents at Radley College - due to holidays and business trips by the organisers, Chris and I never managed to confirm the final team. So, “fresh” from a plane out of Philadelphia, your match reporter arrived half way through the first set of the first match to find her team of Alex Garside and Penny Lumley 2:5 down against another LRTA pair (just playing for the wrong side), Freddy Adam and Claire Vigrass.

Alex and Penny fought hard to get back to 4:5, only to lose the first set on a short deuce in the 10th game. In the second set, Freddy and Claire raced ahead 3:0 (another short deuce in the third game), but then Alex and Penny fought back to 2:3 winning two close games. Continuing the close tussle, Alex and Penny eventually won the second set 6:5. The third set started at 4:4 - due to time constraints - and though Alex and Penny drew first blood to go ahead 5:4, the LRTA lost this set 5:6.

Second up - and already almost an hour behind schedule - were Patsy Danby and Anna Williams against the Radley pairing of Adam Jeffrey and Derek Williams. Unfortunately, Adam and Derek proved too strong for Patsy and Anna winning 6:2, 6:1. (Chris admitted having misread the handicap of one of our players - a rare occurrence in his illustrious career, I am sure!)

In the third match, our youngsters, Jess Garside and Madeline Grant, took on Jonathan Crowe and Sarah Hird. The game was fast and furious, with Jess and Madeline playing extremely well, refusing to be intimidated by the pace of some of the shots from the Radley pair and aided by the “all or nothing” style of Sarah’s play. Jess and Madeline won 6:3, 6:2.

Next, Nicola Cavill and Jill Newby were up against Jason Briggs and Andrew Leslau. The LRTA pair took a little while to get going losing the first set 6:2, but then showed great guts and determination to win the second set 6:5. The third started at 3:3, and we were just edged out by Radley winning this set 6:5.

Finally, after a short break to take photos of the players, supporters and pros, the McNicolls (James and Kathryn) took to their court against our Ros Hedges and Pam Tomalin. James’s and Kathryn’s court knowledge proved decisive in this game, with Ros and Pam being beaten 6:3 6:3.

So, overall, a 4:1 win for Radley - but taking account the two 3-setters just lost by our team (one against another LRTA pair!) and a convincing performance by our youngest players, the LRTA team left with their heads held up high.

A great time was had by all, Kathryn’s buffet was universally popular (though she declined the request to start catering for undernourished Oxford students) and Paul and Chris made sure that the day went by without a hitch on the marking front.

 

Doris Siedentopf