Hurlington Park: Where the hell is that?

Roosters are breeders!

Roosters V Hurly Hoods May 18th

Match Report by Club Chump Nick

4 brave Rooster souls, conscripts for the fool-hearty quest to win a maiden Pennant flag turned up at APLTC last Saturday afternoon – to do battle in Rd 3 against Hurlington Park TC – aka the Hurls.

With their brave captain, Forrest, en route from the Western front (probably down St.Kilda way somewhere), the line-up was decided. Hinneberg and Balicki – aka Hunsmoke and Polak, joined forces as the top pair while Wilk and Berry aka Victorious and Solo Man, took up the rear guard.

Who could have known that sunshine would engulf the courts as the sparring finished and these men of great tennis deeds took their positions in the trenches. Early reconnaissance was grim. Polak asked Hunsmoke what was the measure of thine enemy, to which, Hunsmoke replied, ”he hasn’t missed a shot yet”.

As the first shots were fired, and the strokes across no-man’s land began, it was clear that it would be an epic battle.

At that moment, Forrest broke cover, grabbed a deck chair and was soon joined by Michael in the gallery. Forrest was unusually quiet by his standards, offering measured words of encouragement to his charges, but was clearly unarmed.

Victorious and Solo Man took control of court 2 with a deadly display of shots and before long, the first Hurl scalp of the day belonged to the Roosters 10-4. But Hunsmoke and Polak could not land the fatal blow and their Hurls pair kept coming at them like a Hollywood Fast & Furious franchise. In the end, the Hurls leapt into overdrive to take the match 10-9.              

Furious discussion then took place as the Roosters squad regrouped to analysed their enemies strengths and weaknesses. The gallery swelled with Yuri, Neale, Peter and Joy all along for the ride. And, like a whisper, a strategy appeared. The Roosters were ahead on games, so games would be the key.

“Thus it is that in war, the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”

Capturing enough games would make or break this day. And so as we turned the corner, and headed for the finish line, the mission was clear – games are good, games are our friend.........

And so it was, get games became the battle cry of the field. The chant was taken up by all Roosters. Game by precious game, the Roosters toiled towards the finish line, sparing no soft second serve or easy volley from severe punishment. Weather threatened to delay play, but was ultimately banished to the East. The tennis balls fluffed up intolerably, but were rolled back in submission.

By the time, the Solo Man and Victorious’ line had been broken and their defences over-run, they had extracted 4 hard fought games. While on court 2,  Polak and Hunsmoke had avenged their earlier defeat with a pincer movement that tore through the Hurl flank. 10 more games in the bag with only 3 casualties.     

Once again, our leader, stayed the course and used his deckchair vantage point to good effect throughout the day across both courts to support his troops. He did not take of the afternoon tea feast, preferring to give his men the spoils of war. But, as if by telepathy, he simply nodded solemnly to the Rooster kin and wise words filled the air as he retreated into the cloudy fog of war......................

“Victory at all costs, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no Bayside Men’s Sets section 1 Flag.”

Onwards Roosters, to the next campaign.....................................