First up in the 2013 league season was the long trek south through the hills and dales to Southern Suburbs. And eager we were too. The whole team on time – a feat that perhaps we didn’t achieve the whole of last season. And what a warm reception there was on the other side as well. We were greeted by… well, by nobody. There were several social players hanging around, but our league opponents were as absent as Juju’s moral fibre. Apparently they hadn’t got the memo that league had begun. A few phone calls later and the opposition captain was reached. He promised to scrape together some form of team and arrive at the courts in 20 minutes. He stuck to his word and called in some favours to bring forth a full complement of players.
Mark was up first against one of the stand-ins, Daniel, who, despite his dopey countenance, actually turned out to be something of a ringer. Mark hardly had time to cry foul before it was all over. Probably not the way he wanted to start the season. And it was looking bad for the team. Lost 0-3
Phil determined to set matters straight against the next stand-in, Mannie. It looked to be a breeze with Mannie only getting 5 points in the first. But the trend was reversed in the next game and Phil knew he was in for a trial. Mannie was helped along by the home court advantage and some screaming, skidding low cross-court drives and a freakish fluke shot to win the fourth game and bring the tally to 2-2. But Phil cancelled all mistakes to close it out in the fifth. Won 3-2
Then it was new cap Danie against the child prodigy Kyle, who probably weighs as much as Danie’s racquet and is about the same height as the racquet. Slight of frame he may have been, but there was power in them thar matchstick arms. And the tyke was a runner. But Danie was playing a superior game on the evening and was nigh on unstoppable. Games were close, but Danie stayed composed to get the few extra points per game. Won 3-1.
Last on was Nigel against Wolfie – father of the prodigious child Kyle. Despite a minor hiccup in the second game, the rest of the match passed by uneventfully and delivered the team a victory. Won 3-1.
Overall, some useful points to begin the season. Supper had to be foregone due to the late start, but we’ll make up for it on the return match.
Overall result: Won 12 - 7
