Lions finished mid-table last year, above Popps, so we knew this was a fixture which would be a challenge. Then we heard that Joan had gone down with pneumonia! We wish her a speedy recovery. Your team secretary roped himself in, only to find that John Mitchell had to pull out at short notice to deal with domestic illness.

Rather than engage a passer- by to play, knowing it was probably a lost cause, we just played 6 matches and defaulted on three. In the event, we lost the match 6-0 against a young and sprightly Lions team.

Alan commenced against Ben Speak a young man with more hair than the combined Popps membership. He won 11-8, 11-5 and 11-9. Alan’s sensible approach was to try and hang in with steady returns, but Ben’s all round game was more effective, with good attacking shots to finish off points.

Robin against Chie Hick was fairly one-sided. She exhibited an effective penholder grip and executed some complex spin serves. However, your elderly team secretary completely lost his composure when his young opponent removed her track suit top and trousers after G1 was lost 11-5. He gained a few points by directing a fast low serve to her forehand, but his mind had gone, coupled with a galloping pulse rate and a red, sweating face. She won the next 2 games to 6 and 4.

Swiftly back on the table, Alan took on Hannah Kendal, losing eventually 11-9, 11-7 and 11-7. Alan fought well with steady returns, but Hannah’s useful backhand flick gave her the edge when attacking opportunities arose. At one point in G3, Hannah made an excellent smash which Alan unexpectedly returned, only to be defeated by her subsequent shot. Robin then met Ben who had a much better all round game. His side spin serve proved difficult to deal with and he was able to win some useful points with his smash. The match ended 11-5, 11-5 and 11-5 which at least had the merit of consistency.

Alan had a varied match with Chie. Her pen grip produced some useful attacking shots in G1 and she moved to an 11-5 win. Alan was vulnerable to her forehand smash in G2 and sank to 11-3. However, he fought back well in G3 by consistent returns, staying level up to 9-9. However, Chie produced a couple of good shots to finish off at 11-9.

In the final set of the evening, Hannah’s steady play despatched Robin 11-3, 11-3 and 11-3 with a good array of shots and serves. As usual, the match was played in a good spirit. We apologised for not fielding a full side, but in the event, it would not have affected the result. The unexpected bonus of an early finished meant that the remnants of the Popps team could drown their sorrows in the Big Six.