FISCC WW vs Henley B. November 29th. Match report by Andy Rowland.

FISSC WW A defeated improving Henley B by 9 games to 1,in a match played in bitterly cold arctic conditions, more suited to skiing than TT, where Henley got scant reward from a hard hard working display.

The match began with a familiar sight  in West Warwicks games with an all Scottish battle,this time between Jim Ferguson and Rob McCluskey,with  Ferguson's consistency holding sway in 3 tightly contested sets.

Next up saw a battle of the veterans Pete Rodwell and Gordon Trinder, and a battle royal over 5 sets ensued with Rodwell's defensive determination finally overcoming a 5-1 deficit in the final set to sneak home 13-11.

Following  Andy Rowland's well wrapped up defeat of Dave Hatcher Rodwell was up against Henley skipper McCluskey and had high hopes of further success after capturing the 1st set,but McCluskey then got into a fine attacking rhythm and took the next 3 sets with some ease.

Ferguson then overcame Hatcher, before Rowland,despite facing many  uncomfortable moments against the Trinder backhand, being taken to deuce and 9 in the first 2 games,recovered his composure to win in 3.

Rodwell then faced Hatcher, and the Henley man produced his best display of the evening taking the first set, and having opportunities to win the 3rd and fourth, before Rodwell's consistency saw him over the line.

In the final 2  singles of the evening, after a pleasant break with refreshments from Rodwell's Little Red Riding Hood basket,Ferguson and Rowland both lost early games against Trinder and McCluskey before winning in 4.

With the heating having eventually raised the temperature to about -4•C Rowland eventually ditched some of his extensive range of clothing, and this appeared to make him marginally more mobile,and the doubles were won, to end a good humoured and competitive encounter.