In this rearranged match we were introduced to another of Chinley's rising stars, young Louis Bailey and boy did he make all of us work hard. It won't be too long before he is collecting scalps in Div 2. Brian got us under way with hard earned win against Debbie. He dropped the first set as the Chinley No1 had the better of some blistering rallies, her backhand and forehand drives smashing through the Hyde man's defence. Brian didn't give her the opportunities in the second set which he took to 5 and he had to up his game even more to take the next two sets and the game as Debbie fought like a tiger but just lost out. I was on next against Louis and I thought I was in for a real good hiding as he not only had me baffled with a couple of serves but he also blasted a few stunning drives past me. I think I was still thinking about the barn owl I had seen whilst I was driving over the tops to Chinley but Ian snapped me out of my day dreaming when he pointed out, 'He's left handed you know.' I'm quick on the uptake you know, I'd been serving my best serve to his flaming forehand for two sets. So he is, I said to myself and after kicking meself up the jaxie I set about trying to beat the young man. I found a way and concentrated on keeping the ball in his backhand court and occasionally giving him the chance for a forehand smash but he was too enthusiastic with them and usually netted them. I had to graft hard but I eventually won the next three sets but it had been hard. Ian dropped a set to Wilf but eventually got his backhand blocks and forehand drives going to win in four. Louis took a set off Brian and gave the Hyde man a really good game before going down in four. After playing so well against Wilf it was a mystery as to how Ian completely lost his concentration against Debbie. She's the type of player he usually excels against but despite taking a set he missed countless blocks and smashes and Debbie was spot on with hers and won in four. I went on against Wilf and I played really well but still lost in three. I landed more forehand smashes in this game than in any game all season, trouble was, he retrieved them all, some of them from behind the Christmas tree! Louis came very close to upsetting Ian when after dropping the first set he stormed back to take the second and only lost the third 11-13 and fought like mad in the fourth but lost it to 9. I think it was Louis's first foray in the 2nd division and he came very close to winning a game and he's a credit to the coaching scheme at Chinley. Brian had a marathon five setter with Wilf  and the first four sets were shared and it seemed impossible to call but I just had a feeling that the Chinley man was getting under Brian's craw with his constant retrieving and endless chopping and sure enough in the fifth, Brian tried to force when the opportunity wasn't right and he lost the set rather tamely to 3. I had a good game with Debbie and after losing the first set I fought back well to take the second and I had chances to take the third but blew them and lost it and the fourth, which meant Ian and I had to win the doubles against Wilf and Debbie for the match, which we did in four sets.  A good result for us although on reflection maybe Chinley deserved the draw. Some outstanding tennis played and good company we look forward to the return.  Lee.

Written by: Lee Brown