Hot Stuff Ian faces Kath, one of the Bad Girls

 Telecom v Caprica                October 2^nd

 I knew we were in for a treat when Ian Bythell for Caprica started to rub hot stuff all over his legs (available from the internet – the hot stuff, not Ian’s legs!) and Kath Spillane jogged on court, fresh from her European success in Barcelona and with her hotel already booked for the World Championships in Poland next year.

It was a Holt clean sweep in the Telecom men:  Dad, David, at number 3, with Cameron and Rhys in support. Resplendent in her purple outfit, Kath played at number 3, partnering Lesley Quigley and Jane Makey for Telecom. Their opposition (two of them celebrating their first wedding anniversary – now that’s what I call dedication!) comprised of Laura and Chris Whitwell at top spot, with Rosie Southworth and Mr Hot Stuff Ian at number 3, Jonny Bradley at number 2, under the watchful eye of Caprica’s capable captain, Sue Hirons. Once Jonny had carefully positioned his wet towel at the back of the court, play could begin.

In the men’s doubles, two very even games against Cam and his Dad and Mr Hot Stuff and Chris, resulted in one game all. Ian showed great anticipation at the net and the defensive shots of all four men produced some long and entertaining rallies. Next up, Rhys and his Dad faced Jonny and Ian – again, an extremely entertaining game with consistent short serves and delicate net play from Rhys. The opposition were very generous in their line calls and from start to finish the game was played with good tempered rivalry with Telecom winning both games.

In the ladies’ doubles, Laura’s effective long serve and Rosie’s strength from the back of the court gradually wore down the opposition of Lesley and Kath, despite some lovely attacking cross court smashes from the Bad Girl herself. The second ladies’ match resulted in another close second game as Rosie this time partnered Caprica’s captain, Sue, against the home team of Jane and Kath. By the end of the level doubles, the away team were 5,3 up and there was still all to play for in the mixed.

At top mixed, Cam and Lesley led the way with an excellent start against the happy couple, Laura and Chris, drawing the match level. The second mixed game between Rhys and Jane and Sue and Jonny was neck and neck throughout. The Caprica captain was like lightening in her anticipation at the net and Jonny’s smashes eventually proved too much for the home pairing. At number 3, the traditional mixed pairing of David and Kath faced the level pairing of Rosie and Mr Hot Stuff. David’s clever cross court disguise shots forced the opposition to work hard and the match was drawn one game each. As Cam and Lesley returned to the court, this time to face Sue and Jonny, you could cut the tension with a knife! Again, the games were split between the pairings, with Cameron definitely winning the Shot of the Match Award for his killing backhand drive to clinch the first game. As the match drew to a close, Rhys and Jane knew they needed both of their games against the happy couple, Laura and Chris. Despite a very brave dive and some elegant cross court drops from Jane, the steadiness and accuracy of the Caprica couple eventually won through.

As I anticipated, then, this was an excellent match from start to finish, played in friendly rivalry and determination. If Cameron won the Shot of the Match, Moment of the Night Award must go to his elder brother, Rhys, for shaking hands with his Dad off court in appreciation of a match well played in their men’s.