[<<] [>>] by Chris Roberts at Phyllis Court
18th July 2010 (GC - Inter-Club)

Phyllis Court were delighted to host the Hurlingham team as their guests in the banks of the River Thames at Henley on Thames.

The overnight rain ensured PC's lush courts were greener than ever but thankfully not over damp.

The home side got off to a terrific start with Charlie Von Schmeider and Chris Roberts taking the doubles match in two games against Nelson Morrow and John Bowcott.

PC's Frances Colman turned in another 'against the odds' performance to take her singles game against Richard Hoskyns 2-1.

And the fourth member of the home quartet Raymond Wood enjoyed two '13th hoop' matches with Dave Nicholson in his 1-2 reverse.

The slender 2-1 match lead held by the home side ensured there was much lively banter and debate over lunch before the two sides emerged for the second round matches.

The match coincided with the Thames Traditional Boat Rally on the Henley reach and games were temporally interrupted by the superb spectacle of three increasingly low fly pasts by a visiting Lancaster Bomber (yes really!!).

Hurlingham won both the 3rd and 4th pairs' games but were taken to three games in each, but Roberts' win for PC in two very long matches with Bowcott saw the match tied at 3-3 with just the 1st pair to finish.

Having been held up so long by the game in front, all eyes were on Von Schmeider and Morrow with the former eventually settling matters in the home side's favour on the 12th hoop.

Astonishment in the home camp at the unexpected win, was quickly replaced with good 'after match' socilising, rounded off with a scones and cream afternoon tea.

Phyllis Court are looking forward to hosting Hurlingham again next week in a friendly fixture when home heartbeats will presumably not be racing quite so quickly!

The semi-finals now beckon for Phyllis Court who tread yet more new ground with a tie against Surbiton.

Match result - Phyllis Court beat Hurlingham 4 - 3

Scores

Charlie Von Schmeider & Chris Roberts (PCC) beat Nelson Morrow & John Bowcott (Hurlingham) 7 - 6, 7 -1
Frances Colman (PCC) beat Richard Hoskyns (Hurlingham) 7 - 6, 3 - 7, 7 - 1
Raymond Wood (PCC) lost to Dave Nicholson (Hurlingham) 6 - 7, 7 - 6, 1 - 7
Charlie Von Schmeider (PCC) beat Nelson Morrow (Hurlingham) 7 - 4, 7 - 5
Chris Roberts (PCC) beat John Bowcott (Hurlingham) 7 - 3, 7 - 3
Frances Colman (PCC) lost to Dave Nicholson (Hurlingham) 7 - 6, 1 - 7, 5 - 7
Raymond Wood (PCC) lost to Richard Hoskyns (Hurlingham) 7 - 3, 5 - 7, 4 - 7