Week 1, 06/10/10.

HCSC Men's I Vs Cambridge I.

Start of another new season with the reigning county champions lining up with one new addition to the team in Paul Jordan. 'Pretty-Boy' has been drafted to the 2^nd's to hopefully get a better quality of match and help out with Fordy's long term absence.

Several things didn't change…….the opposition were all still late, and the poxy scoring didn't change either. The bizarre, and frankly stupid idea of having one of the opponents refereeing every match didn't happen either!

Bruce Hodgkiss was the only Cambridge player that did show up on time, so 'Pro-ley' started off first at third string. Things started off badly for Bruce with him nursing his achilles/calf in the warm-up and asking if any of his team had any pain killers. James started off loose but soon found his marks and never looked in any danger really. Bruce played some good single shots but didn't pressurise JP consistently enough to do any real damage.

15/5, 15/11, 15/10 (3-0).

PJ started his 1^st team career with a really difficult match against Pip Johnson who played at second string last year. He hasn't played over the summer, but still a real challenge for the youngster. PJ relaxed quickly and set about his usual style of good court coverage and retrieval and powerful low hitting. All three games were well contested, the only difference being Paul not quite playing high enough up the court leaving spaces for Pip to use. A great start, and a great addition to the squad.

11/15, 12/15, 9/15 (0-3).

The captain went on against Seth Broadbent for another battle of patience with his style/manner/sportsmanship/etc…… I did really well for three games until the classic Seth tactic of sticking the racket as far out and as early as possible to create interference on a ball he was never going to reach any way. Pro's decision making to help poor old PJ who ended up marking was the next thing to rile Seth…….same old, same old!!!! I managed to win in four games, which isn't terrible against Seth as he winds me up so badly.

11/15, 15/12, 17/15, 15/9 (3-1).

G-Man went on against Ali Dawson after JP so he could go and sort the food for us. Didn't see any of it, but G wanted to play even though he's been struggling with his back (babies are harmful!!) to get some court time before the Cambs Grand Prix at the weekend. Close 1^st probably because he wasn't switched on, and then killed him after that.

18/16, 15/7, 15/9 (3-0).

Peter-D played last having been moved above Pro for this season. Played Matt Beaton who's improved massively. Peter was the architect of most of his problems, but played well enough, and with enough variety and quality going short to win in three. Hopefully we can push his game back up to where it should be.

15/7, 15/9, 15/9 (3-0).

So a great start against the season against a strong opposition. Next up Crown away.