Magdalen Park Vth Team kicks off winter campaign with gritty triumph.
In siberian conditions and hemmed in on courts fit for squash, the Glorious Fifth commenced its 2003 winter campaign in Division M East. Hampered by multiple injuries to multiple organs and the odd childbirth, the Vth fielded an untested line-up.

Nonetheless, Jon and Marcus swaddled their way through West Norwood's pairings to post two solid wins: well maybe one solid (6-0, 7-5) and one "tight" in three (4-6, 6-2, 6-4). In the other rubbers, Raz - a last minute and enthusiastic reserve and Paulo - fighting off the ravages of what he claimed was "flu" and god knows what else - promptly dropped their first rubber (4-6, 5-7). Nerves were jarred as the match went to one-set-all, looking as if it was heading for a miserable draw, but Paulo and Raz hung in for a terrific, nail-biting win victory in three (6-4, 2-6, 6-4) to seal the tie 3-1. "We only had two strops," said an emotional Paulo.

Nobody said it was beautiful.