Moreton Morrell v The Hamsters

Having played at Leamington on Saturday the Hamsters would have been forgiven for a little deja vu on Sunday. Maurice Bardsley found himself found himself with his second 10am start in two days up against Keith Beechener who he had faced playing for Leamington the day before. Maurice was partnered by Jonathan Horrocks while Keith was partnered by Jon Lambdon for this rematch. Moreton took a close first set 6-5 and then lost the second set 4-6 taking the rubber into a third set. This led Robert Frost to expand on his theory from the day before that in these situations the team that won the second set wins the third. they did; 4-6 giving the rubber to the Hamsters.

The second rubber saw Robin Mulcahy and John Yarnall take to the court for the Hamsters facing Alastair Robson and David Phillips for Moreton. The Hamsters pairing for this match worked well from the start, resulting in a 6/3, 6/2 victory over Moreton. The only note of dissent occurred on the last point of the match when John Yarnall played an unreturned shot from the service end – a dangerous and unnecessary activity, quietly pointed out to him by Robin Mulcahy, as the Hamsters were defending chase 2 and the ball had been destined to land at around three yards.    

The third rubber saw Robert Frost and John Miller provide a host of fascinating and fancy tennis in the only singles match of the day with some devastating serving from John Miller, some spectacular retrieving from Robert Frost, and a number of remarkable rests in between. John took the first set at a canter 6-0 before Robert was able to get to grips with the handicap. The second set was much closer with Robert keen to have another chance to prove his theory and secure the match victory for the Hamsters. His efforts, however, were in vain as John fought through to take the set 6-5 giving Moreton the rubber and keeping Moreton in the match.

After lunch Charles Kearl and Ian Mathers of the Hamsters played Bruce Paxton and Tony Branfield for the hosts. The Hamsters held their own in the first set to reach 4/4, but were unable to keep upwith the energetic playing of the Moreton pair who closed out at 6/4.  Moreton Morrell then consolidated their lead in the second set, securing the rubber with a 6/2 win levelling the match at 2-2.

The deciding rubber saw Michael Banks and David Remington for the visitors play Moreton's Andrew Luce and Peter Lewis. Despite much good tennis the game became a one-sided affair with the home pair taking the rubber 6-1, 6-2 giving Moreton the match 3-2.

Thanks to our visitors for an enjoyable days tennis and a very close match. we look forward to next year.