PSOBLTA v Oxford Penguins
Lost 2.5-1.5
PSOBLTA team:
Tim Hartland, Brad Keenes, John Loosemore, Julian Pollard and John Taylor
On 2 June 2018, there were two matches against Oxford, both fielding a splattering of Pubs members, but only one of which walked off with a winners garland.
The IC team recorded a 7-2 victory over the Blues, aided and abetted by a number of Pubs members. Regrettably, the Pubs match against the Penguins which preceded it was a bit of tale of woe… Originally a three pair match, one of our team was playing in the Vets Open Clay tournament in Bournemouth during the week and rather scuppered the planning by getting to the final of the doubles, which was on the Saturday. In anticipation of this event, the Pubs captain had arranged for Casper (the Penguins Captain and keen Pubs member) to be on stand-by to stand in. However, this was all fine and well until the Blues were a man short and had to requisition Casper to play for them!!
Therefore, instead of a three pair grass court match under blazing spring sunshine, the courts were wet after heavy overnight rain so switched play to their hard courts and the Pubs captain stood down to make it a two pair…only to have to step in after the first round as the courts took their toll on one of our players.
Overall, after some enjoyable tennis, the Pubs side went down, having drawn three rubbers but lost the fourth.
Brad Keenes – PSOBLTA Match Manager