Santa Spied Playing for 4ths

As we head into the festive season, the 4ths turned up to play CCS6 with an interesting team of Mike (me), Matt, Doug, Dave (sicknote) and Catherine. Changed days from last season when only two of that team were regulars for the Barbarians.

Doug got us started at number 3 as he needed an early departure. But we didn't realise quite how early he meant, as he struggled to haul his Santa paunch (from his hols) around the court. Whilst he battled bravely, he just couldn't turn the rallies into points scoring just 9 points from 32 serves on his way to a 4-9, 2-9, 3-9 defeat.

Next up Catherine took to court at 5 and showed us scramblers what the game is all about. Like a playful lioness she ran her opponent around the court before ruthlessly dispatching him 9-6, 9-1 and 9-4.

Meanwhile, Sicknote was making a game of it on the other court. Having trailed for most of the first game, Dave put in a late spurt to close it out 9-7. The second game began tightly and with 15 rallies played the score was an exciting 1-1 before Dave pulled away for a 9-4. Dave was now completely in control and was soon 7-0 up before DISASTER STRUCK. Sicknote came down with man-flu in the middle of the game. Now obviously this impaired his movement and it is completely understandable that his opponent should claw back point after point to win 7-9 and give Colinton some hope. But, luckily, the man-flu left as mysteriously as it arrived and Dave edged the 4th game 9-4 to bring it up to 2-1.

Matt was next on court. Now Matt's game has come on leaps and bounds in the past year under the tutelage of Mr Hall. But this comes at a price. When told he was playing number 2 for the 4th team he went into a state of shock from which he didn't really recover. The last time I saw that look was when he discovered that his svelte frame and youthful years would give him a handicap of -5 in the BMI Cup! The first game started well enough and Matt was soon 6-1 up. But as his opponent began to get his measure, the game began to slip and it was soon over 6-9, 1-9, 3-9. 2-2 and into the deciding rubber.

Last up was yours truly ready to lead from the front to victory. The first three points were excellent and I was soon 3-0 when all of a sudden a little Santa's Elf appeared from behind the ventilation grill and just like Scrooge, I knew what Christmas was all about. As the game wore on, my top began to turn red and had this irresistable urge go give out presents. before I knew it I had put a couple in the tin and boasted from everywhere and the first was gone 3-9. The second followed the same path and by now my white beard was impairing my vision; 4-9. By the third, play was almost impossible with bushy eyebrows covering my eyes, I couldn't see, and the sound of jingling bells was most distracting. The presents continued amongst the most shocking shot selection and the game was lost 0-9 and an overall 2-3 defeat.

As has been so often this season we have been strong at the bottom of the order and struggled a bit at the top.

Anyone for coaching?

Yo ho ho.

(and the picture? It's Santa and squash of course...)