Grannies and the Granny

We're into the Granny folks 
and we're not talking about a blue at the AGM roosters

A Special report 
from the only guy at the AGM to have the guts to address the elephant in the room: 
Al. J Zero

Prelim Final  

Roosters v Poopdale at Stella Maris


So here we were. Another final. And once again against Parkdale. We just
keep running into these guys?
So let's cut to the chase. After all, highlights have been playing on Fox
Sports all weekend.
Half-time. One rubber all. Parkdale leads by one game after the Dynamic Duo,
Caviar Nick and Fiji Deano, (who, extraordinarily, claim never to have played
together before) prevailed over the seldom-beaten Barry 'n' Perry of Parkdale,
10-8, while Forrest and Nils (making his finals debut ' cue applause) went
down 7-10. That was a bizarre match, halted at one stage while Neil climbed
UP on top of the clubhouse to retrieve a ball, thus putting his own in peril.
Federer never does this.

So ? it all came down to the reverse rubbers, as a good final should.
Forrest expressed confidence in the DD running through the Parkdale No 2
pair without much trouble. He and Neel set out to grind out as many games
as they could against B ?n? P.
But things did not go as planned doing no good at all to the peace of mind
of our small but committed band of spectators ' Debbie, Captain Yuri, Dennis
(cunningly hidden under a hoodie) and Dr Keddie. Thanks to all.

First, Forrest and Nils (a clear winner in the Best Dressed category, with
aqua headband matching his shirt) did BETTER than expected. Winning one game,
then two, then three, then  holy crap!  leaping ahead and severely bugging
B 'n' P. Bad language and racquet tossing was noted.
But meanwhile on Centre Court, where Forrest kept expecting to see hands
being shaken and the DD conducting TV interviews, things were mighty close.
The first score Noel and Forrest heard was 5-4. What the'. ' At this stage
they were locked at 7-7. Which became 10-7 to a peeved Parkdale pair.
So the maths was simple.

With Roosters trailing by four games, a 10-5 victory (or better) to our DD
would mean a spot in the Granny.

A 10-6 result would mean a tie, and much scurrying to find a rule book.
And it came down to this: Caviar Nick serving at 9-4. A held serve would
mean victory. Ah, he has a sense of occasion does Hinneberg He flirted with
Yuri's blood pressure by slipping behind 0-30. And then came through. Of
course he did. 

With Deano at his side, how could he not?

So there it was, victory to the Roosters by TWO games. A good team effort.
Two rubbers all, 34-32 games.
Never in doubt, really. Skipper Yuri, take a bow.

Golden Greeks immediately started preparing for the Big One.
No drinking or taramasalata all week.

It will end as it all began, against MCC.
VINDICATING the Balicki-Forrest strategy from Round One: NEVER go too hard
too early. Apologies will now be accepted. In Polish and Scottish.

Roll on Saturday. MCC Maggots you aint seen nothing yet.


The Grand Final Team

ROOSTERS V MAGGOTS
MCC ground (2L A9 
Cnr Roy St & St Kilda Rd ) 
at 12.30 next Saturday.

The presentation of the runner's up and championship flags will be presented at King's Park after the match.

DEANO, NICK 
and the indolent over mothered GOLDEN GREEKS

emergency: BRIAN
reserve: the best player there with a racquet

HIT NEXT TUESDAY (with the lads) 
AND THURSDAY NIGHTS 6.30
MCC hit very hard with a ton of top spin so serious hit ups are essential
Get to the game early and hit up as well. It worked really well on Saturday as we may have pinched a couple of games early being there an hour before the start.
Captain is happy to hit up early before work if you desperately need a hit

It's Official
TROPHY NIGHT IS NEXT THURSDAY WEEK 
September 6th AT BASILICA
Black Tie and Wattle

Just before we ended the meeting I did pipe in to let the room know that we were actually in the grand final on Saturday.  No one thought it odd that such a fuss was made of the women's team and not the mens. 



And Alan, bless his heart, finally asked (respectfully) if after 18 years (most of which there wasn't a men's team) the president had any thoughts of giving someone else a go. Way to go Al!

Anyway I've replaced Nick on the committee and you don't need an MA in political science (Nick and I both have one of these useless things) to have it worked out.  All the establishment have to do is have one committee member in their pocket and it's a 5/4 win every time. Stay there as long as you can and you don't have a problem in the world.

So until we get some young talent in the senior positions then it's more of the same. That said I think for continuity Paul Robinson would make a great president but someone young needs to join him in a senior capacity. 

We may finally have some real choice for generational change in 2013. So roosters/ Tuesday nighters look around for someone in their 30s/40s with secretarial/ committee/ management experience to challenge for secretary in 2013 and come along to the AGM and make it more representative of the broader club and the times. Otherwise every night will be bingo night at what was once a place where tennis was played. 

BRING ON THE MAGGOTS!