Be warned all if traveling to Gallowtree Road and the Memorial Hall, there are diversions in place. Workmen were just shutting Sonning village off as I approached. However, I managed to go round and through the high street. However, there were further closures around Dunsden!  Enough of that!

SC&P had Gerry McEvoy, Oliver Bonser and Mike Casserley . For SS Cris was accompanied by Himanshu and Mike Bond playing his first competitive match in 30 years.

I have to say it was not a good night for Sonning Sports C. Cris was up against Oliver who I noticed had beaten both Harry Brough and James recently when Sc&P played the B team. Cris took Oliver to 5 games but could not once again get over the line!

Himanshu then faced Gerry who took control and comfortably won the set in three games. Mike on his debut faced skipper Mike Casserley. Mike finding his feet lost the first game before levelling up in a close second game 12-10.However, Mike Casserley had too much experience to allow Mike Bond win his first league match.

The second round of singles did not see any improvement as all three Sonning players lose their sets in three straight games. So 6-0

The doubles provided some respite as Himanshu and Cris went two games up with ease only for Gerry and Oliver to strike back and win in 5 games. I think there were too many mistakes from the Sonning pair!

The last round of singles saw Mike take on Gerry. To Mike’s credit he was the only one to take a game off Gerry and should be taken as a real positive! Set 9 saw Cris taking on Mike and took some revenge for his defeat in Division 4 last season by winning in 3 games. In the second game Cris came back Fromm 2-8 to win 13-11, much to the chagrin of Mike who despaired at a number of edges Cris had. I had warned Mike he would not get a medical time out for a sugar fix of Haribos as he was a changed man after that fix last season! Himanshu took on Oliver and although going two games down was always in the match. He reduced the arrears by winning the third game and 9-9 looked to have momentum. However a smash going long provided Oliver with match point which he duly accepted.

In all a difficult night. Diversions, a hall in excess of 80 degrees and a single point won.

Next week is Tilehurst Methodists and we will improve on this result!

By Cris Reynolds