The Caribbean Caper

TennisTitan joined his cohorts on the hard courts of Kinsley this beautiful autumn Saturday and played three fine sets of doubles. TT arrived a tad late to participate in the opener as he watched bewilderedly as 'Happy Jack' Carey and George 'Chemist' Hauss defeated 'Slats' Slattery and 'Big Al' Dio Dati (7-5). Titan's late arrival gave him an opportunity for a 20 minute warm up on the adjacent court with Clarence 'Gazelle' which proved to be a boon. These two teamed up to dominate 'Chemist'/'Big Al' in set number two (6-2). 'Gazelle' is on "top of the food chain" in this Kinsley grouping of players. 'Gazelle' covers the court like a ready-made tarpolin. His speed enables TT to be free of most of his defensive responsibilites and to set up for winning returns on short balls that Clarence's cross court slice returns regularly elicit. TT's well placed serves and lobs drew the type of defensive returns that were fodder for the nimble, soft-handed 'Gazelle' at net. Titan's game proved to continue to be "on" in sets three and four when TT did not benefit from the 'Gazelle's coverage. The tandem of 'Chemist'/Titan routed 'Gazelle' and Chris 'Prosac Kid' (6-2,6-2) proving that doubles is a team game and that two experienced strategists on the court can defeat one superior player if he does not have adequate support. As a happy Titan left the court he quipped to the British West Indian, "Clarence, at least for today, "BWI" stands for "Briscoe Was Invincible.!" To wit 'Gazelle' retorted, "Bullshit Walks Inevitably, Titan!"