the Ross Ladies A Team played Manor Park B team on Thursday July 5th. Bathed in sunlight the first couple Jane Pepperell and Heather Peachey set to work against a very strong first pair but succumbed 4-6, 3-6.

Rosie Farr and Brenda Saunders playing as Ross second pair made a great start against the third pair, then somehow lost the first set. However, they clamped down on mistakes and won the next two sets 6-3, 6-1. The Ross third pair comprised Gaynor Raine and Val Davies who struggled to deal with the astro-turf surface and were beaten 6-7, 3-6 with Val sustaining a few carpet-burns along the way.

After a short break and pep talk from the Captain, the team all but plugged the gaps, and Gaynor and Val comprehensively beat the Manor Park third pair 6-2, 6-1. Brenda and Rosie faced the first pair, who again put in a strong performance and won in straight sets with our ladies doing well to win 4 games. This left Jane and Heather battling it out against the relentless second pair. After losing the first set they dominated the second set and took it 6-4, but were unable to hold onto the third set which finished 4-6.

The well earned post-match tea, served outside, was going well until a giant rat scuttled over the ladies' feet, causing much panic and shrieking - and disapproving comments from some ladies still on court! The Ross Ladies submissively departed, happy enough with a 2-4 result against very stiff competition.