Sandycove’s Class 5 team travelled to the leafy environs of De Vesci last Sunday, hoping for some civilised tennis on sun-baked European clay courts. Unfortunately they were met with rain and gales of biblical proportions.
Sheila Carew and Joanne Morrissey, cleverly aiming for the puddles, went ahead in the first set only to be pipped in a tiebreak. Fortunately, they were able to move onto a better court once our second pair of Mairéad Mackey and Eva Bennett had succumbed to a strong De Vesci partnership. Sheila and Joanne ran away with the next set 6-0, to much raucous Sandycove cheering from the sidelines. Meanwhile, on court 2, after terrific tennis and trading games back and forth, Mairéad Walsh and Suzanne Quinn got to 5-4 in the third. Surely we had it in the bag now!
On court 1, Joanne, looking like she was heading out fly-fishing on Lough Corrib in a knee-length anorak and a waterproof hat, unleashed some killer forehands while Sheila’s slice backhand bamboozled the De Vesci pair. Sandycove went behind, they came back, they went behind again and then were well on their way back to a surely certain victory when alas! Sandycove lost the game on Court 2 and all was over.
It was a fabulous performance in the most bizarre conditions, and in the end the matches only came down to a few points. Well done to the team, and all the subs, and thank you all for providing a thoroughly entertaining afternoon for your frozen and huddled supporters.
FIRST TEAM QUARTER FINALS
Our First team have a home quarter final this Sunday the 10th at 2pm. We will have the rugby on inside and tantalising tennis outside, so please come and support! Sunday’s team will consist of Áine Leonard, Orla Patton, Sandie O’Callaghan, Sarah Emerson, Beccy Breech and Petra Grehan (subbing for Joanna Van Remoortere), but this has been a really strong team effort with fantastic subbing performances also from Petra, Vanessa O’Reilly, Jacqui Lyons and Lynn Manahan. I would particularly like to thank Vanessa who has been so accommodating and such an essential team player. Best of luck ladies!
Fleur