Brian played his socks off last night, winning all three of his games and in the process ending Ron Mitchell and Ian Robinson's 100% average. Unfortunately neither me nor Ian gave him much support. Steve made Brian work hard in the first match taking the first set but it was the 3rd set that decided it. Brian scraped it 16/14 and Steve's challenge fell away after that and Brian's lethal back hand drives saw the big man off in the fourth. I played as well as I've played for a long time v Ian Robinson, taking a set off him but the longer the game went on the more he improved and I lost in four. Ian went on v Ron Mitchell. Ian  sat down again, blown away in three quick sets. I did the same v Steve. Brian then had a hell of a five setter with Ron, with first one player gaining the ascendancy and then the other. After four sets of trading big shots and accurate chopping, it was impossible to call but a few lucky net calls and edges for Brian played on Ron's mind and Brian took the fifth at a canter. Ian's game with Ian Robinson was exactly the same but the outcome fell in favour of the St Sq man. I went on v Ron. I sat down, 'nuff said. Ian played Steve and whereas the two of them normally end up in a five setter, Ian's game was somewhat lacking and he lost in three. The last singles between Brian and Ian R was the game of the night. Both are attacking players and they traded big drives and occasional periods of accurate chopping until it came down to the fifth set and both of them had match points, until Brian fed Ian a serve which he slightly misread and mishit his return. Ian and Brian fought hard in the doubles and should've taken it to five sets but went down 15/17 in the fourth. So another loss but an entertaining night's tennis with good company. We look forward to the return.  

Written by: Lee Brown