Steep dig deep against very tough opposition and take away 2 sets .

Steep was back in action on Saturday 13^th March when their Mixed A team travelled to Swanmore on a bright sunny day, the Hampshire countryside en route was looking at its best. As the team turned into the drive at Swanmore there was a groan as Swanmore had 3 of their top players out including GB player Di Hill. Steep’s 1^st pair, Gene Stoddart and Ann Saunders, had a bad day at the office as they lost all sets, 0-6, 1-6 and 2-6, 4-6. Stoddart darted about the court with his infectious enthusiasm and made some amazing ‘good-gets’ which could have been deemed impossible, especially by the opposition. The Swanmore 1sts were indominatable with their deep penetrating groundstrokes and their solid well-placed winning vollies. In their second match, Stoddart and Saunders did not capitalize on some game points and paid the price.

Steep’s 2^nd pair, David Mangham stepping in at the eleventh hour, and seasoned player Cathy Robinson, lost to the formidable 1^st pair, 0-6, 0-6 but did well to beat their opposite numbers in the second rubber. In the first set they were down 1-3 but grit and determination levelled the score, and some fine volleying from both Robinson and Mangham sealed the set 6-4.  The second set was also hard fought and Mangham produced some fine wide serves so Robinson had the opportunity to put away the volley off the service return.  In the end both the Robinson and Mangham backhands were the telling shots and they took the second set 6-3. Steep came away with a useful 2 points against their strongest opposition to date. Steep play Alresford away on the 17^th and Midhurst away on the 20^th when they hope to add more points to their tally.