The Dedanists

This match report is reproduced here by kind permission of Dedanists’ match manger David Phillips. The full report of the Dedanists Warwickshire Weekend can be found on the Dedanists Society website including details of their exploits at Leamington the day before.
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Sunday 7th

As we all know each day of tennis starts with great hopes.  Our veteran John Yarnall and the savvy Master of Wine, Mark Savage took on the relatively youthful Rick Woodfield and Roy Rogers giving them a small handicap. The first set was intense at 6-5 with the opposition responding 2-6 in the second.  The third was an engaging affair including a great rest defending chase 3 which Yarnall and Savage took. The dedans wanted 5 all in the final set but a nick serve claimed it for Moreton.  6-5, 2-6, 4-6 for Moreton.

Andrew Hamilton grandee/grandfather and the perceptive/instinctive Graeme Marks came quickly out of the blocks taking the first 2 games with aplomb. Matters thereafter proved more challenging as the regular pairing of Paul Smith and Tony Branfield came to the party. We were entertained with an incredible 20 plus rest which covered all quarters of the court, this was soon followed by an excellent shot by Branfield into the winning gallery.  By the manner in which Branfield played he had forgotten that was a Dedanist playing for the opposition; I am pretty sure membership hasn't yet been revoked in these events. First set 5-6. The two Moreton players clearly enjoying themselves romping home in the second 1-6.  Moreton 2 Dedanists 0

Rev James Holden back from preaching at church and the ever-buoyant Jon Fistein took on Miranda Coyne and Neil Jervis.  Despite being 5-3 up in the first set it was stolen by the consistent strong and clean hitting Coyne along with Jarvis who clearly found his game. Good communications and play between the Dedanists took the second set 6-4.  The momentum of the game swung to and fro and we were so close in the 3rd before losing 4-6. Moreton 3 Dedanists 0

Lunch was well attended; all enjoying a hearty Pork, apple and cider casserole followed by apple and pear amaretti crumble.  David Phillips thanked our hosts and Darren Long for excellent marking and world championship balls.  He also spoke of the successes of the academy.

Would the substantial Sunday lunch influence the remaining 3 rubbers?

Our regular pairing of John Tacchi and Peter Mason took to the court against Terence Drane and Bernie Spratt.  It was a close affair, but our intrepid duo could not muster the spark they had generated the previous day.   Steady play by Drane proved too much and the game slipped away 5-6, 4-6.  Moreton 4 Dedanists 0

With jeopardy in the air to fight off the chance of a whitewash two academic physicians purposefully strode on court. Chris Marguerie carried on serving as he had the day before putting David Aldwincle and Terrance Drane under pressure.  Jonathan Brown was gazelle like covering large swathes of the court.    Despite the home sides grit our two prescribed defeat

6-5, 6-5. The Dedanists match manager was seen alternating between exercises and prayer.  At last Moreton 4 Dedanists 1

Could we reclaim some more ground.  Could a GP and a surgeon cut out another victory.  Was it a touch of guilt or a conflict of loyalties that Chris Marguerie, designate Chairman at Moreton, joined up with David Aldwincle for the opposition.  Well Martin Harris and David Phillips certainly won the knock up; had the previous match taken something out of Aldwincle. The second medical pairing stormed out to take the first set 6-2.  The second set the opposition changed receivers and Marguerie’s serve and court play brought back balance only for the Harris and Phillips to close out the second set 6-4.

Moreton took the day 4 rubbers to 2 but with an eye on statistics and looking at the whole weekend

Dedanists  6 : LTCC/MMTCC combined 5. A win for tennis

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