Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Magdalen Park's Raz speaks out at Paulo's tennis communication skills
Farouk "Raz" Razvi, ball retriever par excellence, has objected - off the record - to his playing partner's language last Sunday. "It's just as well that there was no umpire as I'm sure Paulo's Spanish/Portuguese/Mexican/English would have got us thrown off court!"
Commenting on absentee skipper Roger's team selection, he added: "It wasn't pretty tennis but as player/ manager he'll know more than most that it's results that count. His job's safe for now."
Paulo was last seen muttering about hijo de puta.
Tempers remain frayed.
Farouk "Raz" Razvi, ball retriever par excellence, has objected - off the record - to his playing partner's language last Sunday. "It's just as well that there was no umpire as I'm sure Paulo's Spanish/Portuguese/Mexican/English would have got us thrown off court!"
Commenting on absentee skipper Roger's team selection, he added: "It wasn't pretty tennis but as player/ manager he'll know more than most that it's results that count. His job's safe for now."
Paulo was last seen muttering about hijo de puta.
Tempers remain frayed.
Majestic Adamson & Clay win both rubbers in Magdalen Park victory
Commenting on their performance against West Norwood, when Jon & Marcus provided the backbone of a victory, Jon - a progressive and much-loved teacher from South London - said: "Marcus and I were bloody majestic in the face of very difficult conditions."
Vth team tennis at its best.
Commenting on their performance against West Norwood, when Jon & Marcus provided the backbone of a victory, Jon - a progressive and much-loved teacher from South London - said: "Marcus and I were bloody majestic in the face of very difficult conditions."
Vth team tennis at its best.
Monday, December 08, 2003
McEnroe takes the title: too busy to coach Magdalen Park Vth
In a thrilling final at the Albert Hall, John McEnroe came out on top against Guy Forget in two sets in the Senior Masters event. Both players are old (and experienced) enough to qualify for the Vth team, but appearances are likely to be limited this year.
"John is very busy right now," said Roger Willcocks, "and his left-handed style of play would not sit well with some of our players." Rumours persist that McEnroe might be approached for additional coaching for the Vth.
In a thrilling final at the Albert Hall, John McEnroe came out on top against Guy Forget in two sets in the Senior Masters event. Both players are old (and experienced) enough to qualify for the Vth team, but appearances are likely to be limited this year.
"John is very busy right now," said Roger Willcocks, "and his left-handed style of play would not sit well with some of our players." Rumours persist that McEnroe might be approached for additional coaching for the Vth.
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.
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.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Injuries and childbirth hamper Magdalen Park Vth team.
Skipper Roger Willcocks is deep behind the baseline: injuries are taking a terrible toll. David Sharples is out with a weak wrist; Rob Harradine has strained his arm. Roger himself has claimed paternity leave and is ministering to Maia, his new-born.
We are running out of squad.
Skipper Roger Willcocks is deep behind the baseline: injuries are taking a terrible toll. David Sharples is out with a weak wrist; Rob Harradine has strained his arm. Roger himself has claimed paternity leave and is ministering to Maia, his new-born.
We are running out of squad.
