Chelmsford’s Blue team of John Skuse (3), Sheila Harris (9) Mick Fraser (10) and Deborah Clarke (11) entertained Southchurch’s team of Louise (6) and Alan Cornelius (7) Peter Knight (9) Geoff Powell (12) on Friday in a EACF Handicap League match. With the weather still warm but with the threat of some rain not far away the lawns were in superb shape with comments like “playing on a billiard table” emanating from one of our visitors. Southchurch started well by taking the first two doubles games 7-5 and 7-4 and maintained that lead by halving the next two sets of singles so the lunchtime score was Chelmsford Blue 4 Southchurch 6. It is worth a mention that Deborah’s game versus Peter Knight included a fight back from 4-6 down to her winning on the golden hoop with an excellent pink from of about 3 yards. After lunch the Blues recovered by winning 3 of the next 4 singles to draw level before finally winning the last set also by the same margin to win the match 10-8. Everyone contributed to the win with John undefeated in the singles whilst Sheila won 2, Mick 3 and Deborah 1. A first class team effort. The hoop difference was Chelmsford Blue111 Southchurch 101. Thanks must go to Judith, assisted by David from Southchurch, for taking on the match management duties and for the provision of refreshments throughout the day. Finally a word for Southchurch after their year away from this competition. Welcome back!