It was already warm when half of Team A arrived for our away fixture with Lodsworth in the CSE Handicap League. Due to Lodsworth only having one lawn the format of the fixture was a little different from the usual. Douglas and Andrew started off with doubles against Mike and Elaine Wilson and took time to get into their swing on an unfamiliar lawn losing 4-7. However, in the return singles matches both won tight games giving GGCC a 2-1 lead, as we broke for a sandwich lunch kindly provided by Lodsworth. Many thanks for that. After lunch, we went into the doubles proper with Peter Gill and Douglas coming out on top but Andrew and Vernon losing. So going into the final two rounds of singles, GGCC were still one game ahead and the competition and the temperature were hotting up. In the first set of singles Vernon prevailed but Peter was narrowly beaten. So with all to play for, the final singles began. Here Peter Gill with some excellent jump shots won the game against Peter Hill giving GGCC the match but Vernon was still fighting a close battle against John West. It all came down to the golden hoop which unfortunately went John’s way. Vernon is probably still muttering about his final shot that didn’t go the way he intended.
GGCC won the match by 5-4 after some very close games in a beautiful setting. Many thanks to all at Lodsworth for their hospitality and team spirit and to Team A for battling through.
Andrew Lockwood
31 July 2024