Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Retractable Roof for Magdalen Park?
The Vth team's winning record can only be improved by a new roof to shield its delicately honed players' games from the elements. An appeal has been made to the Club Committee to emulate our neighbours in Wimbledon. I am grateful to Calpundit for the reminder: A Roof for Wimbledon
The Vth team's winning record can only be improved by a new roof to shield its delicately honed players' games from the elements. An appeal has been made to the Club Committee to emulate our neighbours in Wimbledon. I am grateful to Calpundit for the reminder: A Roof for Wimbledon
Monday, February 23, 2004
Gritty Clay hits out at hungover Schmetzer
Despite clinching victory in both their rubbers, Marcus Clay railed against playing partner Paulo Schmetzer for his lack of professionalism. "We've been on a low-fat, no carb, alcohol free diet in preparation for the game on Sunday," seethed Clay, whose game plan focusses on always getting the ball back. "I'm simply staggered that Paulo was out on the beers till the small hours: he was visbly worse for wear. Hungover is a dirty word."
Schmetzer was found kipping on a clubhouse sofa minutes before kick-off. Skipper Willcocks denied that he had damaged Schmetzer's physionomy when he accidently kicked an Adidas tennis shoe during a post-match debrief. "He's always looked like that," clarified Willcocks.
Despite clinching victory in both their rubbers, Marcus Clay railed against playing partner Paulo Schmetzer for his lack of professionalism. "We've been on a low-fat, no carb, alcohol free diet in preparation for the game on Sunday," seethed Clay, whose game plan focusses on always getting the ball back. "I'm simply staggered that Paulo was out on the beers till the small hours: he was visbly worse for wear. Hungover is a dirty word."
Schmetzer was found kipping on a clubhouse sofa minutes before kick-off. Skipper Willcocks denied that he had damaged Schmetzer's physionomy when he accidently kicked an Adidas tennis shoe during a post-match debrief. "He's always looked like that," clarified Willcocks.
Magdalen Park Vth hang tough and knick a 4-0 victory
The Vth overcame an arctic chill, hangovers and a rain delay to see off would-be title challengers Ember II by a convincing 4 rubbers to 0, watched eagerly by Men's Captain Amir Syed who is rumoured to be expanding his talent pool.
David Sharples and Roger Willcocks powered their way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Ember's second pair and 6-1, 6-2 against its first. Sharples - in his long overdure debut for the team - played a blinder as he emulated John McEnroe with classic serve-and-volley technique. One analyst commented this was a flawed strategy on the day considering Sharples is a right-handed player.
Marcus Clay played a brace of feisty rubbers, dragging the jaded Paulo Schmetzer to victory 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5, 6-4. The breakthrough came in the final set, when the pair capitalised on a pair of double faults to grab the vital break.
"We're 3 and 0 after 3. Let's keep it that way with 2 to come," analysed Sharples, a talented accountant.
The Vth overcame an arctic chill, hangovers and a rain delay to see off would-be title challengers Ember II by a convincing 4 rubbers to 0, watched eagerly by Men's Captain Amir Syed who is rumoured to be expanding his talent pool.
David Sharples and Roger Willcocks powered their way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Ember's second pair and 6-1, 6-2 against its first. Sharples - in his long overdure debut for the team - played a blinder as he emulated John McEnroe with classic serve-and-volley technique. One analyst commented this was a flawed strategy on the day considering Sharples is a right-handed player.
Marcus Clay played a brace of feisty rubbers, dragging the jaded Paulo Schmetzer to victory 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5, 6-4. The breakthrough came in the final set, when the pair capitalised on a pair of double faults to grab the vital break.
"We're 3 and 0 after 3. Let's keep it that way with 2 to come," analysed Sharples, a talented accountant.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Magdalen Park back from dead in gusty thriller
Magdalen Park Vth ground out a gutsy victory in blustery conditions against Sanderstead III, to keep its championship challenge alive and morale flying high.
Despite fielding a ramshackle and untested team recruited at last gasp by absent skipper Roger Willcocks, Magdalen Park dealt with the 60 m.p.h. wind sufficiently better to steal the fixture 3-1.
It looked bad when Marcus Clay and Mike Chesher were dumped out to 0 and 2 to drop the first rubber. It looked worse when the novice pairing dropped the next set 7-5. The threat of sacking and a sudden mastery of the wind powered them back to clinch the rubber 5-7, 6-0, 6-1. "I was worried about the white-wash, but the hoots from the club house made me dig deep," said the resourceful Clay.
The victory was secured by recent signings Derek Cook and Gavin Rose, newly promoted from the unplaying mediocrity and now chasing hard for regular selection over lazy, ne'er-do-well primadonnas like Sharples and Schmetzer. Cook & Rose earned masterful victories in both rubbers 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 and 6-3, 7-6. "My natural topspin game was an asset," said Rose. "The wind actually helped it along a bit."
Skipper Willcocks added: "This victory shows the strength in depth of the Vth Team: complete strangers with no track record on the circuit can do as well as seasoned professionals. The future is bright."
Magdalen Park Vth ground out a gutsy victory in blustery conditions against Sanderstead III, to keep its championship challenge alive and morale flying high.
Despite fielding a ramshackle and untested team recruited at last gasp by absent skipper Roger Willcocks, Magdalen Park dealt with the 60 m.p.h. wind sufficiently better to steal the fixture 3-1.
It looked bad when Marcus Clay and Mike Chesher were dumped out to 0 and 2 to drop the first rubber. It looked worse when the novice pairing dropped the next set 7-5. The threat of sacking and a sudden mastery of the wind powered them back to clinch the rubber 5-7, 6-0, 6-1. "I was worried about the white-wash, but the hoots from the club house made me dig deep," said the resourceful Clay.
The victory was secured by recent signings Derek Cook and Gavin Rose, newly promoted from the unplaying mediocrity and now chasing hard for regular selection over lazy, ne'er-do-well primadonnas like Sharples and Schmetzer. Cook & Rose earned masterful victories in both rubbers 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 and 6-3, 7-6. "My natural topspin game was an asset," said Rose. "The wind actually helped it along a bit."
Skipper Willcocks added: "This victory shows the strength in depth of the Vth Team: complete strangers with no track record on the circuit can do as well as seasoned professionals. The future is bright."
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Sharples hits back at shabby work ethic in revealing confession
I am very sorry I am in Oslo, although the majority of the Norsk female population is clearly salivating at the prospect.
I was horrified to see that Jon Adamson has been allowed to go skiing, and seemingly without sanction. I would like to express the view that skiing is a sanitised yet extremely dangerous sport, during the pursuit of which one can break a leg as easily as serve a double fault.
I can bring personal experience to bear in testimony to this - some 5 years ago I was playing my customary magnificent tennis and went skiing to Val d'Isere, where my concentration was disturbed by 3 beautiful French girls intently eyeing my hip swing. In an attempt to exaggerate the hip movement, I fell heavily and clumsily in front of them, snapping my tibia and fibula over the top of my ski boot and wetting my salopettes as I passed out in pain and shock. I did not see these girls again. I missed a whole tennis season in convalescence and have been absolutely shite ever since.
Particularly in light of the wonderful things that are happening to the Vths, I am astonished that members are allowed to jeopardise the progress made by acquiescing to their demands to partake in such irresponsible and treacherous activities.
I am very sorry I am in Oslo, although the majority of the Norsk female population is clearly salivating at the prospect.
I was horrified to see that Jon Adamson has been allowed to go skiing, and seemingly without sanction. I would like to express the view that skiing is a sanitised yet extremely dangerous sport, during the pursuit of which one can break a leg as easily as serve a double fault.
I can bring personal experience to bear in testimony to this - some 5 years ago I was playing my customary magnificent tennis and went skiing to Val d'Isere, where my concentration was disturbed by 3 beautiful French girls intently eyeing my hip swing. In an attempt to exaggerate the hip movement, I fell heavily and clumsily in front of them, snapping my tibia and fibula over the top of my ski boot and wetting my salopettes as I passed out in pain and shock. I did not see these girls again. I missed a whole tennis season in convalescence and have been absolutely shite ever since.
Particularly in light of the wonderful things that are happening to the Vths, I am astonished that members are allowed to jeopardise the progress made by acquiescing to their demands to partake in such irresponsible and treacherous activities.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Former stars hit out at Vth team
The telling fact that the Vth team is enjoying better tennis that the IVth team is causing ructions at Magdalen Park. Former Vth Team aces Percy Hallam and Mark Scarles lashed out at skipper Roger Willcocks after the latter observed his team was "in a different league altogether". Hallam and Scarles clearly rue the day they eschewed regular selection in a steady squad: now, not only are they are the victims of Tinkerman Everett's team selection policy, but also - when they are picked - the oppositon is inferior.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
The telling fact that the Vth team is enjoying better tennis that the IVth team is causing ructions at Magdalen Park. Former Vth Team aces Percy Hallam and Mark Scarles lashed out at skipper Roger Willcocks after the latter observed his team was "in a different league altogether". Hallam and Scarles clearly rue the day they eschewed regular selection in a steady squad: now, not only are they are the victims of Tinkerman Everett's team selection policy, but also - when they are picked - the oppositon is inferior.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
