Hampshire v Surrey
What a sight it was arriving in the St George's Hill Private Estate, with tennis players out on the courts dressed from head to toe in whites and expensive cars parked all around with Stockbrokers' Belt in the background! Just as well our chaps arrived in good time to get used to this Sunday morning atmosphere before the battle commenced against Surrey, who we heard did have some players missing from their team. The courts were hot and it was good that the players were able to hit a few balls in threequarters court mode before the match started.
Chris Whitworth was used to freezing cold courts in Guernsey and this did have an effect in his first match, when his counter drops did not have the effect he wanted on his opponent, who was able to step in and blast the ball past him. He did well to get back into his match in the second, but the more effective game plan of his opponent told in the end.
Meanwhile, Alastair Roberts was able to remain consistently on top of his opponent in a good match and win comfortably.
Philip Bull made some wonderful openings against a more experienced opponent, without quite being able to put the ball away, but in the third and fourth games, after absorbing tremendous pressure in the first two games, won some wonderful rallies, which noticeably made his opponent wobble. It was to his opponent's credit that he was able to keep his head, while Philip naturally tired, to win a really great match to watch.
Matt Merriman played well against a very good up and coming player, who played a effective controlled match. Matt worked hard throughout the match, but had to produce something special to win points, which he did, but not often enough, to get on top of his young opponent.
Last on court was Ali Mehrkar, who made some incredible gets in the first game, but was not effective enough until the last three games of the match, which he did well to win. One felt that Ali could have won far more easily and this might have been a factor in his second match against Essex, when he noticeably lacked the energy against his Essex opponent to assert himself properly as he should have done.

Hampshire v Essex
We had the perfect start against Essex after only a very brief break between matches. Alastair was too good for his opponent, but what was so encouraging to watch about Alastair was how he relentlessly kept the pressure on his opponent with his most effective all court game, while he still seemed to play well within himself.
Chris started well and was able to deal with his opponent coming back in the second game to get back on top and finish the match strongly. He put in a great effort in both matches and the fact that he won when he thought he could have played better was very creditable.
Philip played against a physically stronger player and unfortunately strength won over flair. It was another great match to watch with the contrast in styles and the fact that Philip, who had given everything he had, was so nearly good enough to win.
Matt played a fresh and determined opponent in four very close games. Perhaps Matt could have won more easily, but he stuck in well in a match which could have gone either way.
Ali's match was a disappointment and he will agree that he could have put more into what was a typical dead rubber. Certainly he should have won and he will know this from the way he got into the match too late.

This report would not be complete without mentioning the number 6, Damon Chase, who beat his Surrey opponent to square the match unofficially and gave his Essex opponent, who was well into his 17th year, a very good run for his money.