Conference Cup Semi Final - Dundee 1 v Edinburgh 2 Aberdeens 88 year-old legend, Robert Ainsley, (who knows everything about tennis) informed me that a certain Mr James Drummond would be dusting off his rackets to play in this monumental fixture - Dundee were trying to assemble their strongest team of the season. After arriving at the courts, having successfully negotiated The Crofter all the way up to Dundee, Phil Revie, Niall Hope and I were pleased to not be welcomed by James; indeed a different West of Scotland legend was due to play in this match - Colonel McCaig. Most in here wont know the Colonel personally; but it was the first, and most successful, nickname I ever created. Originally coined as a Colonel back in 2001, Colonel McCaig has played many a team match for both Western and Thorn Park always conducting, often unsuccessful tennising operations, with supreme dignity and poise. I played at 1 against Dundees often unseen number 2 (assuming James can be counted as their number seeing as he never seems to play) Karleas - or something. Hes a very strong player, and although claims he used to be professional seem tenuous, he beat me 1 and 1. Niall continued his good form beating John at 2, Mr Hope played solid tennis and won 2 and 4. Too easy. Phil played Ben Leslie at 3. Our cup-specialist has for years claimed that only the romance of knockout tennis matches can draw him onto a court. Sadly, the relative scarcity of cup matches has left Phil a tad rusty; having only played a handful of times all year he went on to get beat - 3 and 1. The slow courts didnt suit an out of practice Phil either, had this been at Thistle the score could well have been reversed. Hamish Law sent the Colonel into a swift retreat at 4; he beat him 6-2 6-3. I knew The Crofter would like the lie of the land on the Dundee courts. 2-2 onto the doubles. Around this time I received a phone call from Finlay Hutchison informing me St. Andrews had won division 1A. Congratulations to perhaps the best match player Ive ever played with! Phil and I were confident of victory, we love doubles. Sadly their 1 and 2 played the big points well and we went down 4 and 4. Tight. Or #tight as Inda would now say. Niall and The Crofter were also sure of a win, sadly the Colonel didnt half play a good doubles. Edinburgh went down 2 and 2 (or 3 and 2 if you speak to Niall). Alas, there ended the tennis. Out in the semis, 8-4 to Dundee wholl face Robs Aberdeen in the final on March the 26th. Yes thats the same day as the mixed doubles tournament; Im sure there would have been too many heartbreaks if Id missed that anyway - not to worry EULTC, not to worry. We have two fixtures left, a rearranged match against Strathclyde 1 on Monday night and our final match against St. Andrews 2 on the 12th. Next week will, therefore, be my final week of BUCS tennis. Im sure there will be an emotional report or two! Thanks very much to all who joined me today. This will be my last away match with Niall I think, thanks for all the trips weve shared. Ill also always appreciate an appearance from Phil, a man who has: been in the club since before the war Really nice to have a youngster on board on days like today, Hamish will undoubtedly provide EULTC with many laughs and good wins in years to come. Merry.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 22:44:19 +0000
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