HIS teams have won club championships, Saturday afternoon club competitions and posted the biggest winning grand final margin in the club's history (11 sets to one), but last Saturday it came to a sudden halt for John 'slugger' Bullock.
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His trump card did not come up aces as his Team Kelso went down to Team Riverview in a thriller eight sets to six.
Acting captain Bullock was fuming after his team's loss, claiming the critics were to blame.
"The critics intimidated my side into playing very ordinary tennis, which is definitely not a good look. They know absolutely nothing about tennis,'' he said.
While the hot favourites were beaten in a close contest, club selector Graeme Stapleton believes old slugger Bullock and his trump card will bounce back next week and will go on to win the grand final on August 22.
''I can't wait to see the egg rolling down all the critics' faces when Team Kelso takes that golden grand final trophy," he said.
Team Kelso had three of its regular players out which made a huge difference - nationally ranked Grace Schumacher, captain Brian Dwyer and Dan McLeay all absent.
Jason Molkentin's Team Riverview looked sharp and totally focused on the day and have sent out a sound warning to the other sides that they are now the team to beat in this competition.
David Craft was running hot, with brilliant court-craft skills proving troublesome to his opponents. Craft's 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 sets wins were very impressive and were in no small way responsible for guiding his side to an epic victory.
Captain Molkentin was also in hot form, winning three sets 6-4, 6- 2, 6-3. If given room to move, this guy can turn defence into attack in an instant.
Percy Raveneau was in sizzling form too, winning all of his four sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0. Raveneau is peaking just at the right time and will no doubt be a real danger player come finals time.
Bailey Honeyman, Caitlin Spears and Peter Deacon also dug deep for Team Riverview, playing good constructive tennis. Molkentin was thrilled with the win.
''We knew the hot favourites had three of their star players out, but it wouldn't have made any difference as my side have better quality players," he said.
Losing acting captain Bullock wasn't too worried about his team's loss.
''I don't know what Molkentin's going on about having better quality players. Does he have a nationally ranked player and a former Bathurst junior champion in his side? No. Regular captain Brian Dwyer cant wait to pull that magic rabbit out of the hat when we meet again," he said.
Unfortunately there were no results for the second match.
Well folks the tennis just seems to get better and better at the biggest little club in the west.
So until we meet again it's Slugger signing off. Good hitting.
