It has been a good start to the year for both the adult Swim Squad and the Hurlingham Cycling Club (HCC). Monday swim training sessions have seen a surge in popularity under Lizzie Redpath’s continued tutelage and, on most days, there are now three busy lanes of swimmers pounding up and down the Indoor Pool.

Meanwhile, blessed with the new Wattbikes in the Gym to support their training regimes, our cyclists have blossomed. Following their success on the sun-kissed Italian ‘pave’ at the Strade Bianche in March, HCC Chair, Charlie Longridge, and Hurlingham Swimming and Fitness instructor, Jerzy Horczyk, led a smaller group to the Ardennes on 20 April for ‘La Doyenne’, the more daunting challenge of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. This race is arguably the oldest and most challenging of the Spring Classics at 258km and 4300m of elevation. Greeted by freezing temperatures, rain and hail, it certainly lived up to its billing, but the weather-beaten team completed the course in just over 10 hours of cycling time – to much celebration and choruses of ‘never again…’.

ANDY RICH, CHAIR, SWIMMING AND FITNESS

TABLE TENNIS

Table Tennis Tournament Revived!

In April our informal committee organised a revival of the annual table tennis tournament, which had been enjoyed in previous years since 2014. Sadly, after 2019, Covid and lockdowns prevented play. But the enthusiasm among our growing numbers of players inspired us to resume the annual event.

Many regulars entered the four competitions, and the draws were made. The day dawned and all did not go as smoothly as planned. Not all players turned up, and there were some late arrivals, which was a challenge for the organiser. But by far the most concerning was when Susanna Young fell heavily while playing and ended up in hospital. Play was stopped until proper medical assistance arrived. When play resumed, the finals continued and the winners were: Men’s Doubles: Tim Langton and Charlie Lindsell; Mixed Doubles: Jane Swithinbank and John Story; Ladies Doubles: Diane Johnston and R. Alexander; Men’s Singles: Mark Wellby.

To any eagle-eyed reader of this article puzzled by why R. Alexander has only an initial, the explanation is simple. Diane’s partner was unexpectedly unavailable to play on the day and Richard Alexander gallantly stepped into her place. To the delighted surprise of the assembled company, Diane and Richard won. Now this gave the organisers a problem – what to engrave on the brand-new trophy? The decision was Diane Johnston and R. Alexander, which will leave a future generation to ponder why Alexander only has an initial!

Our Thursday afternoon roll-ups in the MUGA continue to attract more than 20 players and we now need a fourth table. Players of all standards are welcome to join our friendly and sociable community.

MARK WELLBY, TABLE TENNIS COMMITTEE