Bartlett Cup – July 7/8, 2012….by Alison Dugdale

The Bartlett Cup was held over the weekend of the 7-8^th July with unseasonal Hobart sunshine welcoming the intrepid Ballarat Challengers. The team this year comprised the Dugdale Duo (Jon and Allison), the Pipkorn Pairing (Andrew and Rohan), “Rambunctious” Rob Jolly and “Dangerous” Doug Grant. Ballarat initially set a blistering pace with wins by Doug, Rob and Rohan putting Ballarat one set up by lunchtime. The onslaught continued in the afternoon and confidence was brimming as the team went to dinner and drinks (and drinks, and drinks) holding a two set advantage. After a wonderful meal, as usual, and copious amounts of “good cheer” on Saturday night our Ballarat troopers set about the task of bringing that Cup home on the Sunday. However, even though our players battled hard with wins by Rohan, Rob & Jon and Doug our lead wasn’t enough and Hobart won by two sets. Clearly we should’ve done an “all nighter” because, as we all know, Ballarat plays better under the influence!  Oh well, so close and yet so far again!. We must acknowledge and thank the Hobart Tennis Club (I s’pose) for putting on a fantastic weekend of fun and gut wrenching battles. We will be back again next year.