John Bullard writes (reticently):
At last, the big night had arrived, the Trojans were about to play their first match.
The air crackled with nervous tension.
Our opponents, Chesham 1879 2 – tricky.
With Chapples, Monson and Bullard in the team, it was never going to be pretty to watch. Consequently, I suggest that the team motto should be Turpis Lucri -"win ugly".
And we need some classy Trojan nicknames.
First up, yours truly. Bit of pressure before the off, as it doesn't look good to lose when you're playing at 5 for the fifth team. My opponent, Paul, a young, stocky upstart who turned out to be surprisingly quick. First game was a 'getting the measure of each other' affair, which I eventually won when he called a bold '1' at 8-all. Relaxed a bit in the 2nd, played a few lobs and won that 9-3. Relaxed a bit too much in the 3rd and lost 5-9. Came back fired up in the 4th and closed out the match at 9-5.
First up, yours truly. Bit of pressure before the off, as it doesn't look good to lose when you're playing at 5 for the fifth team. My opponent, Paul, a young, stocky upstart who turned out to be surprisingly quick. First game was a 'getting the measure of each other' affair, which I eventually won when he called a bold '1' at 8-all. Relaxed a bit in the 2nd, played a few lobs and won that 9-3. Relaxed a bit too much in the 3rd and lost 5-9. Came back fired up in the 4th and closed out the match at 9-5.
Result 3-1
Monson was playing at 4. His opponent looked like a cross between Giant Haystacks and Burl Ives and about as mobile. Richard complained that “he got in the way all the time” - did everybody spot the irony there? At the end of the first game he came off looking grim-faced and ashen, not good. However, with some adroit advice from the team, he started to move him about and turned it around. Result 3-1
Playing 2 was Richard Graham. Steve was a very capable, disciplined opponent who gave him trouble from the off, confidently putting Richard's serves away and dominating the play. After settling in, Steve took the first game 9-4. In the second game he had the measure of Richard and won 9-2. Richard rallied a bit in the 3rd, but overstretched himself and did his back in. Carried off on his shield. Result 0-3
Over on ct 5 captain Chapples was in a titanic struggle with Mark. This was epic stuff!! Chaps took the first 9-7. Mark won the 2nd 10-8. And boy was it ugly. The crowd in the gallery didn't know what to do with themselves. Chaps then lost the 3rd! The noble captain girded his loins and won a herioc 4th game. The 5th game was unwatchable. I have never seen Chapples run so much. He kept getting a lead and then losing it. He got match point – then lost it, disaster. At 8-8 it looked like he might have come unstuck. Nobody in the gallery could stand it. Back and forward it went, impossibly gutsy shots, miraculous retrieving, wood shots, this game had it all. Finally, he dragged himself over the line to win 10-8. Worthy of an epic poem. At last, the gallery could go to the bar.
Monson was playing at 4. His opponent looked like a cross between Giant Haystacks and Burl Ives and about as mobile. Richard complained that “he got in the way all the time” - did everybody spot the irony there? At the end of the first game he came off looking grim-faced and ashen, not good. However, with some adroit advice from the team, he started to move him about and turned it around. Result 3-1
Playing 2 was Richard Graham. Steve was a very capable, disciplined opponent who gave him trouble from the off, confidently putting Richard's serves away and dominating the play. After settling in, Steve took the first game 9-4. In the second game he had the measure of Richard and won 9-2. Richard rallied a bit in the 3rd, but overstretched himself and did his back in. Carried off on his shield. Result 0-3
Over on ct 5 captain Chapples was in a titanic struggle with Mark. This was epic stuff!! Chaps took the first 9-7. Mark won the 2nd 10-8. And boy was it ugly. The crowd in the gallery didn't know what to do with themselves. Chaps then lost the 3rd! The noble captain girded his loins and won a herioc 4th game. The 5th game was unwatchable. I have never seen Chapples run so much. He kept getting a lead and then losing it. He got match point – then lost it, disaster. At 8-8 it looked like he might have come unstuck. Nobody in the gallery could stand it. Back and forward it went, impossibly gutsy shots, miraculous retrieving, wood shots, this game had it all. Finally, he dragged himself over the line to win 10-8. Worthy of an epic poem. At last, the gallery could go to the bar.
Result 3-2
Finally, Joe Budzinski playing at 1. His opponent was a big lad – like the entire Persian army in one bloke. Very stylish, he had a drop shot that was a gift from the Gods – better than St John's. In the 1st game Joe made a lot of unforced errors, probably because he had just got back from India. Lost the 1st game a surprising 9-2. Got into his rythmn in the 2nd and just got better. Great game to watch, brilliant shots from both players.
Finally, Joe Budzinski playing at 1. His opponent was a big lad – like the entire Persian army in one bloke. Very stylish, he had a drop shot that was a gift from the Gods – better than St John's. In the 1st game Joe made a lot of unforced errors, probably because he had just got back from India. Lost the 1st game a surprising 9-2. Got into his rythmn in the 2nd and just got better. Great game to watch, brilliant shots from both players.
Result 3-1
My suggestion for Joe's 'nom de guerre' – Paris (Trojan prince), very stylish.
So, a handsome victory in our first encounter - and a heroic bar bill.
Nike! (means 'victory')
So, a handsome victory in our first encounter - and a heroic bar bill.
Nike! (means 'victory')
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