It was a tough start to the day. All roads southbound seemed to be closed and there was no reliable information to indicate that Bella would be awake or even reachable in her student fortress. On top of this, Ian was due in at Reading Station at 0930 but had no idea his ride was a ‘rural’ and somewhat ‘cosy’ automobile complete with student, dog and half of the mud in Newton. Luckily he had his finest flat cap, a solid trench, and nerves of steel as Vix’s Dacia Sondero ‘Stepway’ found its stride in the narrow lanes and steep slopes of Berkshire. The temperature dropped another 10 degrees as we arrived at Hardwick House, and we all added some layers; but the short car ride, two coffees for the seniors and an incident with coffee and tennis whites for the student had everyone energised and raring to go.

Vix and Bella paired up first and took a set off the experienced Tomalins. Still in ‘AM mode’, however, Bella found herself flagging in the second set, just as the Tomalins were powering through with home court advantage. Match 1 to Hardwick.

Ben G and David P were up next, although running slightly ahead of schedule there was some anxiety as to whether David had been scuppered by rail replacement services, closed roads or some other misfortune. Ben warmed up the opposition and sure enough David arrived, bang on time, fresh off the back of what appeared to be a fabulous evening out. This formidable pair of hard hitters threw themselves around the court with David winning match point atop of the fully committed Ben G, who had body slammed into the ground to leave the field clear for his partner’s glory shot.

Ian and Hardwick defector Fergus were up next and looking to put Cambridge ahead before lunch. Unfortunately Ian had a touch of trauma from the journey still; although finding excellent form, the pair made a few too many mistakes, leaving the opposition to sneak through to victory 2 sets to 1.

Cambridge finished the morning session slightly despondent but lunch was next and Pam T had cooked up a storm; the Cambridge men dedicated themselves to the task. Not a drop was left of either the chicken or the booze. Ian looked surprised to be playing again, and somewhat disappointed to move from his spot in front of the fire, surrounded by cheese, wine and bread and butter pudding; but with the terrific encouragement of David and his relentless good humour, he took to the court with an additional spring in his step: the pair ran away with an excellent set to 8 (very sensible post lunch match format).

Bella and Vix were up next. Very firmly now in the “PM hours”, and replete with her first actual meal since Christmas, Bella found her feet moved and remembered the cut shot. Mother-daughter duo overcame a tough handicap to take the set.

Bella then teamed up with our ringer Fergus. The final pair had the most fun match of the day, against an experienced and much lower handicap team. It was an excellent match but with a friendly handicap Cambridge were able to secure the final set, thereby winning the fixture 4 matches to 2.

Huge thanks to Pam for the delicious food, Peter for the organisation and much of the marking, and the whole Hardwick team for their generous hospitality, blazing fire and excellent company. A great court to visit!