Cambridgeshire v Sussex Men’s Over 70s
After securing promotion as Division 3 champions last year, the 70's team began this year's campaign fully aware of the challenges ahead, as due to the new County Regionalisation of fixtures, three of the teams we were set to face in Group 2 had just been relegated from Group 1.
With Jim the captain stuck on the sidelines following surgery, the team's first challenge commenced: a home game against Sussex, who despite the absence of their star GB player, remained a strong quartet, as evidenced when their second pair overcame a 4-1 deficit in the first set to secure a 7-5 victory. Our second set performance improved significantly, only to be thwarted by the Cambridge curse in the decisive tiebreak. Regrettably, the Cambridge first pair also struggled, and despite a spirited effort, they went down 6-4, 6-4.
A halftime reset and a resilient mindset marked the turning point. Both Cambridge pairs resolved to dictate the play, forcing their opponents to adapt to their style. This strategic shift ignited the team's performance and changed the match's dynamic.
They say momentum is key in tennis, and our first pair had it in spades and swiftly overcame their opponents; delivering a 'bagel' set en route to victory. Concurrently, our second pair was locked in a fierce battle but somehow managed to clinch the first set.
As the match progressed, that once distant thought of victory suddenly began to be within reach again and so the second set commenced. The team kept true to their game plan and produced some sizzling shots, and as the service breaks evened out, they found themselves 6-5 up with Sussex serving to stay in the match; and Jim praying it didn’t go to another breaker. No worries though, by attacking the serve and keeping the ball at length, Cambridge completed the job, deservedly winning the rubber, and the match by virtue of the 1 set they’d fought hard to secure in the 1st rubber.
David Lloyd fully deserves recognition for their excellent facilities and outstanding post-match refreshments. However, it is the team comprising Des Chalk and David Milburn as the 1st pair along with Phil Eaves with Mike Dakin as the 2nd pair, who truly merited the standing ovation received from their captain and super sub, David Brown, for their outstanding tennis performance.
