Hampden Park Tennis Club’s men’s third team took on league leaders Cross in Hand thirds in a home tie that was played in conditions more suited to the ducks on the nearby lake than quality tennis.
Overnight rain had left the courts wet and a further downpour half an hour before the scheduled start time put the prospect of any play in doubt. However, great credit must go to both sets of players for their determination to get play underway and, with the help of the club’s all-weather astroturf courts, it was eventually possible to complete a full match.
Club stalwart Hugh Ball, playing in what he has declared to be his final match, partnered David Sharpe in a competitive encounter against the experienced first pair of Jonathan Childs and Cross in Hand captain Tony Waller.
The home pair called upon all their local knowledge of the court conditions and, with skilful use of spin and slice, pushed their opponents hard. Unfortunately, even Hugh’s many decades of experience, couldn’t prevent them eventually going down to a 4-6, 4-6 loss.
On the adjacent court, talented young prospect Daniel Caroe was making his senior debut for the club alongside experienced player Andrew Lloyd. The combination of some early nerves from the home pair and strong play from their opponents, Charlie Edwards and Mark Fenn, proved too much and the home pair fell to a 1-6, 1-6 defeat.
The home pairs were unable to turn the tide in the reverse rubbers and the match finished in a 4-0 victory for Cross in Hand, who are looking strong favourites for promotion.
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