Sandycove 1st beat Lansdowne One 2/1. The team did a great job despite playing in challenging conditions. Harry played carrying an injury, and Richie kindly subbed for a second match in a row. Oisin and Richie won 6-4, 7-6; Stephen and Rob were not as lucky against experienced players and lost 6-3, 6-3; while Harry and Reon won 7-5, 6-3. Good strong start to the campaign.

Sandycove 2 playing Class three had a strong 2/1 win away from home. With sub requirements this week Paul Fitzgerald and Ken Browne came in at 3rd doubles. Colin and Luke lost a tough match at 1 7/5, 6/4 while Roy and Louis continue to grow as a pair and won 2 & 2 and so it came down to match three. Having stormed the 1st set 6/0 the two lads lost set 2 but pulled it out 7/5 in the 3rd set

Sandycove 3rd playing class 3 and led by Aaron hickey went down 2/1 to David Lloyd. 3 subs required this week and a big thank you to Tim McNichols, Jim O’Hanlon and Conor O’Reilly. All performed manfully and of not Time playing with Keith O’Byrne took their opponents to 3 sets going down 6/4 in the 3rd. Conor and Jim lost out in two tight sets and at One Aaron and Sam won in 3 tight sets.

Sandycove 4 playing class 4 go from strength to strength. Wins at 2nd doubles for Captain Paul Kilduff and Mark Cunningham and at 3 for Tim Eaton and David Murphy guaranteed the match win. At match one Max and JP Begley had a battle royal with a strong and went down 5/7, 7/6, 6/3. Back to back wins for the team.

Sandycove 5ths playing class 4 endured another tough week with a 3-0 loss away. Frank and Caoimhin lost in 3 sets at 1, while super subs Jack O’Keeffe & Larry Staines went down in two at 2nd doubles. In third doubles it came down to the 1st set where David and Captain Alan went down 7/5 and the match was closed out in 2 sets by strong opponents

Sandycove 6th playing class 5 went down to Stratford 2/1 in a very tight hard-fought affair. At 1 Sam Hughes and Cian went down in two tight sets while at 2 and 3 vintage three setters were played out. Old hands Collison and Bennet went down 6/4 in the 3rd while Gary Byrne overcame Jet lag and no little champagne to win in 3 sets. His partner Denis O’Reilly was said to have covered most of the ground in this match! So, all in the balance and an important week ahead for the team.

John F.