Monday, June 11th was a very warm night and so the Ross Ladies A tennis team forgot the usual chocolate, and ensured they had packed plenty of fluids before setting off for a match against Ombersley.

Playing first pair were Brenda Saunders and Val Davies, who took on their first pair and got through the match 6-3, 6-1.

Playing second pair were Sarah Drake and Jane Pepperell, who must have thought it was Christmas as they dismissed the third pair conceding only two games.

Heather Peachey and Sandy Foulkes unleased 24 carat hitting and also won their first rubber against the second pair in straight sets. The Ross Ladies were feeling very confident as they headed back out onto the blue astro-turf courts.

The Ross first couple found the loopy balls from the second pair a trifle troubling and went down by three games. Brenda gave Val some fruity words of advice and this seemed to spur the Ross couple on both mentally and physically. Both sets went the way of the Ross pair 6-3, 6-3 as the final shot drizzled over the net.

Sarah and Jane levelled their second match a set each, and were unlucky not to take the third set.

Heather and Sandy were sponge-like and soaked up the extremely long rallies, but the third pair just kept getting the ball back and eventually this had the desired effect after the Ross duo took the second set.

“Let them eat cake”, was the cry as the teams settled down for a well earned match tea topped off by a magnificent Victoria Sponge. Heather sadly missed out on this treat as she was already on the road, but it was a fitting celebration for a great performance by all of the ladies.