Westholme A v Blackburn Seniors B                           8^th January 2018

Flippin’ freezing!

Having broken in to what is fast becoming a regular Fort Knox, Mohammed Suleman, Captain for Westholme, got the match underway against the promising young Seniors B side. For Westholme, Sully played with the legend himself, Mr Finch, who is finally back from his shoulder operation; the mighty Graham Robinson slipping in to the second mixed slot. They faced the youngsters, Matt Cole, Brad Savage and the handy left hander, Michael Boothman. The Westholme ladies of myself and Lynn Hosegood, were well supported by the energetic legs of Jenny Brookfield, as they took on the Senior B ladies of Emily Riley, Jane Tighe and Amanda Hodkinson.

In the level doubles, a very close first game of ladies between Lynn and Jenny and Emily and Amanda, went right down to the wire in setting before the game was won by the home pairing. The second ladies’ game was equally well matched in two closely fought games. The men’s certainly got their money’s worth (or perhaps they were just trying to keep warm?!) in four long, exhausting games. Sully and Andy took on Brad and Matt in a match full of energetic scampering and well- judged line calls. The second men’s game was similarly well matched between Graham and Andy and Michael and Matt, with another first game going to setting. Frequent lets during this particular game enabled the Westholme gents to catch their breaths between the rallies in a match which was very entertaining to watch. By the end of the levels, the score was 6, 2 to the home team.

In the mixed doubles, Sully and Lynn stormed to victory in both of their matches as they took on first Brad and Emily, and then Michael and Jane. I had two very close games with Graham against Matt and Amanda, which were justly split between the two sides. The number 3 pairing for Westholme, Andy and Jenny, had the other split game as they faced Michael and Jane. A rather tetchy final game for yours truly and Graham against Brad and Emily brought the final score of 14, 4 home to Westholme.

In a very cold sports hall, it was lovely to see the away team so well supported on the night.