Once again we had a fantastic finals day. Cut out and keep special here……

Ladies Singles

The Ladies singles proved to be an epic encounter. The smart money was on 2 time champ Voldemort* – ‘She who must not be named’ but we shouldn’t have written off our very own Hermione and the “anti slice’ spell that she had cast.

Voldemort got off to the ideal start and tucked away the 1st set 6-3 but Cath bounced back very well to take the 2nd set 6-2 and set up a decider. Organiser Mclatchie was suddenly going to be behind schedule as this epic showed no sign of finishing anytime soon. Voldemort got a strangle hold in the decider though and although many long rallies ensued it was the two time champ who prevailed 6-2 to become a three time champ.

*Voldemort is not used in a derogatory fashion. Everyone loves a mystery so this one will remain….

Gents Singles

Clash of the Titans this one. Organiser Mclatchie ordered in two tubes of balls for this one in case Max or Jamie burst them with their heavy hitting. As it turns out the favourite for the title prevailed. Big J has been the best player this year and cometh the hour cometh the man. He eased through 6-3 6-2 in a game noted for some of the very heavy groundstrokes both players are known for.

It’s many years since Jamie last won the Gents Championship and he’ll be a hard guy to unseat in future years. We welcome the chase…..

Ladies Doubles

Voldemort was featuring again here teamed up with ‘The Turkinator’ Carolyn to try and see off the challenge of Gwen Irving and Caroline Mcdaid who herself was in two finals.

Much to Organiser Mclatchie’s chagrin after his pal Jamie had done him a solid with a straight sets victory this epic encounter saw him facing the prospect of having to get £1 each from the next finalists for floodlights……..

She who must not be named and The Turkinator took the first set 7-5 coming back from 2-5 down. Caroline & Gwen are made of stern stuff though and tucked away the 2nd set to take us into a decider.

It was to no avail though as the nameless one and Carolyn took the final set to become champs.

Gents Doubles

Now we don’t like to single out individual stories within our great wee club but Gazza Glen was in his 5th final without ever tasting victory. Could this be his day? His partner Max was out to make sure his day ended with at least one winners medal to show from his efforts and could Big J and his partner Andrew Duncan , making his finals day debut, ruin their dreams of victory?

The answer was no they couldn’t. 2 very close sets but Gazza got his victory and Max made sure he was a Champion on the day. A strong showing by Andrew & Jamie against a battle hardened partnership.

Mixed Doubles

When we finally got to the last final the floodlights were blazing down, the skies were dark and heavy, the crowd were dark and heavy with cake but looking forward to a competitive encounter and thats exactly what they got….

Cazza McD in her 2nd final of the day partnering Stevie against Tracy and Harry who had survived an epic in the semi final to book their berth on the biggest day in the club calendar.

The first set was very close but a crucial break at 3-3 which Stevie & Cazza consolidated with a hold saw them run out 6-3 winners and they rode the wave of momentum to secure the 2nd set and the championship.

A very good game with a number of long rallies kept the crowd enthralled and was a fitting end to the day.

The presentations then took place with two special awards being made. Firstly to Sara Sullivan for the strides she has made with her game this year in the now much anticipated ‘Most Improved Player’ award and secondly to Rob Irving the honour of Life Membership for his tireless work behind the scenes for the club not just for years but for decades.

Well done to both.

Also our thanks to Organiser Euan, Elaine and all the volunteers who helped make the day a bit special for the finalists.

See you all at the Ceilidh in November.

 

 

 

 

Oh Captain my captain!

“Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.”

That was Bud Fox when beckoned in to meet Gekko for the first time.

This was one of those moments for Capt Jim.

A seasons effort, all the travel stress, all the complaints to Scotrail, all the practise, all the broken bats, the sleepless nights mulling over partnerships and stress of shattering ego’s with his team selections.

This. Is. It.

Beat David Lloyd Renfrew 5-4 at least and promotion from Division 6 is secured. Division 6 where we have been stuck for a couple of years. Division 6 which hangs over us all like the sword of Damocles.

This. Is. It.

Harrison waits patiently 100 miles away as Stevie speeds ( 70 mph in the 70mph limit areas, 30mph in the 30mph limit areas ) up to get him for the final push. Driving him back after the game would be sweet with a victory in the bag. It would be cataclysmic if we come up short. But the commitment is there from couple 1. Beyond the call of duty. Hours in the car for the cause.

Couple 1 ready.

This. Is. It

Couple 2 the same. Gazza dressed head to toe in Lycra causing himself to drop a set due to dehydration on Tuesday just to ensure the clegs couldn’t get him and weaken his chance on Thursday night.
Max fought hard against his own vanity to wear a baggy t shirt ( skin tight to the rest of us but baggy to Max) to allow extra movement to leave no stone unturned in the quest for promotion.

This. Is. It

Couple 2 are ready.

Willie made peace with playing down in Happy Valley at third couple. Turned up early to ensure the other 5 players didn’t have to worry about any mundane tasks. They could be all business. Focus on the task at hand. Getting 5 sets in the bag. Willie had set the table and sparked up the urn.

This. Is. It

Half of couple 3 ready.

Jim was ready. Captain of the team. The man who had organised the whole season. Stood his ground at the fixtures meeting. Made the tough calls when needed.
Willing to go out on his shield if required.

Aye he was ready.

Ready to play bowls in Clydebank.

At least Devon Loch turned up to the race. At least Eddie the Eagle actually gave it a whirl.

A pre meditated no show.

Our collective flabber was ghasted.

How would the troops react?

We resisted doing a team huddle as we worried word would filter back of this to Happy Gould who wouldn’t be impressed….

Lucky we could call in the Racketeer Allan Clarke who was showing huge commitment by playing 2 nights in a row in the crazy heat and overspending on his Capri Sun budget for the week.

Clarkey & Willie at 3rd would be too much for anyone in this Division. Surely?

Court 1 slipped 0-3 down. Worried glances were exchanged. Couple 2 were in control.
Crowds were gathering round Happy Valley.

It was tense. Not sure if it was tense at the bowls match but it was tense here.

Luckily Harrison remembered he has played tennis before and reeled off 6 games in a row to take the first set. The second two sets followed.

Max and Gaz were on cruise control. A couple of interesting exchanged words couldn’t alter the path of the game though and they ran away with the three sets.

Willie & Clarkey brought the heat on Court 3. The poor opponent tapped out after losing the first two sets easily.

That. Was. It.

I’ll leave the final words to Jim from Walt Whitman who I know is a particular favourite of his……

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won

See you in Division 5.

Well unless you’ve got bowls on that night…….

There have been some great matches this week. G2 and G3 both managed strong victories but this has been overshadowed by three questions I will pose later on and await answers from the members.

The courts were looking good also…..

On Tuesday night the Gents 2nds required a strong victory to set up a potential promotion opportunity. The visitors were Springwells who are in a decent mid table position. The good news was young Harrison was returning and keen to showcase his skills aboard the showcourt with his Auld Da. This left Max & Gaz at 2 and Capt Jim & Willie at 3rd. We had high hopes of a strong performance.

We were right. Team Carmichael managed a 3 set victory in a decent encounter, Max & Gaz dug out a 2-1 victory and down in Happy Valley Jim & Willie overcame stout resistance to chalk up 3 set win. An 8-1 victory was way better than Capt Jim could hope for. Roll on Thursday and the final game when another strong victory is the order of the day.

Wednesday night saw the Gents 3rd team in a local derby with Craighelen. Could Wizzo’s warriors get one up on the local rivals?

Yes they could.

In a break from tradition the Lobsters played at 1 down in Happy Valley  and in an epic encounter they just lost out 2 sets to 1 to a strong Craighelen couple. Wizzo and the Spinmeister Gordon Kydd efficiently dispatched their guys ( including Arthur who was spying for us by playing for Craighelen) leaving the stage to the Young Team of Callum & El Frazo.

They lost the first set, took the second on a tie break but then stamped their authority on the match to take the 3rd set 6-3. The boys thrive on an audience and showed it again tonight. Well done guys.

A great 6-3 victory in a derby match.

Now. Here’s our quiz questions.

Quiz Question 1

 

Who is missing the HUGE promotion match on Thursday?

 

Quiz Question 2

Who played in this get up due to midges which existed only in his head on Tuesday night?

Quiz Question 3

Who turned up to the match tonight with this snazzy footwear?

Answers on postcard. The winner will be picked at random and shall win a prize. Maybe.

 

So talk reached the reporter of an outrageous piece of pre match relaxation last week.

Big Centre Court and his troops were going on a road trip. Strathaven away. That’s 40 miles and over an hour away – traffic permitting.

Better leave in plenty of time. 5.15 was the decision.
Before everyone starts feeling sympathy for the Gents 4 team. That’s 5:15 in the afternoon / evening. Not 5.15am

Where’s Big Fraz? Nowhere to be seen.
No problem thinks Big Centre, he’ll be strolling down to the tennis club. I’ll intercept him on the way as he comes out the Co-Op with a Milky Bar or a Mint Aero*

*other beautiful chocolate bars are available

No sign.

Called him. Text him. Facebooked him. Snap chatted him. Hit him up on Insta.
Even tried his Bebo & MySpace.

Nothing.

That’s ok thinks Big Centre. I’ll call Cath and find out his house number and doorstep him.

Nothing. Ghost town

So it’s time to leave. The Butterfly effect has started. Callum is standing at Lower Cardross ( Dumbarton to you and I but Lower Cardross in estate agent speak if you are selling) in the pouring rain waiting picked up.
David L is waiting at the golfie to be picked up.

Time is not our friend. Big Fraz who has a bucket full of A’s must simply have forgotten. These things happen. We’ll deal with him later.
Called his Mum. She confirms he’s fine but we don’t know where he is.

There’s only one more call to make. Aunt Karen. She’ll sort him out.
Nope. Even she is powerless to track him down.

Big Centre can’t get another player. There’s no time. He calls round the houses, lets the Strathaven captain know that Cardross will be rolling 4 deep, David L gets stood down as there’s no partner for him. He goes back to the house to continue cutting his grass – its a 14 day job- with a moist eyed look.

Big Centre picks up Callum who has no idea where Fraz is. He can’t be studying as he’s finished exams. A true mystery.

It’s now 5.45 and the brave warriors face the drive knowing they are 3-0 down.

Then it happens. The phone goes.

It’s Big Fraz.

He’s slept in.

Let that sink in. 5.45pm and Big Snoozy has slept in.
Now if this was one of the Bunnet Brothers then we could perhaps shrug it off but no it’s a 18 year old lad at the peak of his physical powers getting himself a wee
Siesta.

El Frazo our Spanish superstar getting himself a wee pre Match snooze.

Big Centre pulls in Dalreoch. Turns the car like Lewis Hamilton and picks up El Frazo before then driving like an expectant father heading to the maternity ward.

6.59 they arrive at Strathaven with David L saved from walking his own version of the grassy green mile for another evening.

El Frazo & Callum obviously won all their sets. Big Centre obviously didn’t as he was shot from weaving through the traffic setting a new PB for the Cardross to Strathaven dash.

So what happened to El Frazo?

I just slept in.

Now I can accept that excuse from a taxi driver due to get me at 4.30am but at 5.15 in the evening?

Did you have a late night Fraz?

No

You feeling ok?

Yes

You just a big snoozy?

Yes I am.

Hello. I’m Fraser and I’m a snoozeaholic.

No harm done except to Big Centres nerves and the MPG figure in his car.

Youngsters these days eh…….

Feel free to pelt him with Pro Plus tablets and Red Bull any time you see him…….