Team:  Caroline, Rachel, John & Andy

The decision was taken to start with mixed doubles as only two players had arrived from High Legh.  Our newly appointed 1^st team of Caroline and Andy stepped up to the mark and after John’s question “which court – Gale Force 9 or 10?” the scene was set!

Mixed: Andy & Caroline

Andy and Caroline, anxious at not following correct etiquette by starting without their oppositions team mates allowed them to take at 2-0 lead, but such splendid sportsmanship can only go so far and it was soon a lead of 3-2 to Mersey, at which point Andy, not used to winning, punctured Caroline’s high moral by pointing out that “it might go downhill from now on!”.  Prophecy is a strange business and the set was promptly lost 6-3.  With some outstanding cross court forehands from Caroline and some spectacular volleys from Andy (including some direct hits!) the second set was WON 6-4.  Afterwards Caroline pointed out that the opposition seemed more than a little unhappy at loosing the second set!

Mixed:  Rachel & John

Meanwhile on court Gale Force 10 and exhausted by their lengthy warm-up (the other two members of the team thought that it was a 7pm start), John and Rachel lost their first set 1-6 – though not without great effort, a lot of the games seemed to go to Deuce/Adv/Deuce/Adv….  Grit and determination to come away with something, plus some heavy serving from John led to an early 2-0 lead being taken, this was quickly followed by 2-2.  Not letting their determination slide, and with some fantastic rallies under their belts they soon took the lead again at 4-2.  Once again High Legh drew level at 4-4.  Confident in their abilities John and Rachel coolly took their first set WINNING 6-4.

Ladies:  Caroline & Rachel

The lure of tea and homemade cake proved too much and the match was quickly wrapped up – No need to divulge the score!

Mens:  John & Andy

The men were initially over confident and misunderstood Caroline & Rachel’s early departure from the court to have been due to a rapid victory.  But unfortunately news filtered through that victory had not been forthcoming from the girls, by which time the 1^st set was lost 1-6.  So the men dug in and thanks to some fine serving from Andy and superb volleying from John, honour was restored and the score reversed to a 6-1 WIN.

So the 4^th team have won their first 3 sets.  But for the wind we are sure the score would have been different?!?!?!

Onwards and upwards everyone.