CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

There was another bum-per crop of entries to the recent...

CAPTION COMPETITION

This, you will recall, was the picture which I invited you to caption...


...and plenty of you not only had the balls to enter the competition but presented offerings involving... er... balls!

I invited JENNIFER MILLER, a regular Sibley-Blog-reader-and-commenter to take on the role of Umpire and to judge the entries. Here are Jen's judicious adjudications...

CHAMPION of CHAMPIONS

Irascible Ian

John had his own special way of asking
the umpire for 'New Balls'.

MIXED DOUBLES

Boll Weavil

"Very effective but if it's going out on BBC1, could you just
keep your spare balls in your hand as is customary"

Polkadotsoph

A contestant puts Wimbledon's new High Visibility Balls
recommendations into practice...

CHEEKIEST CHAMPION

Lisah

"I'm particularly adept at the forehand stroke."

LINE JUDGE SELETION

Suzanne

"Sorry about this folks; someone told me that
Brian Sibley was in the audience..."

BALL-BOY'S DEUCE

David Weeks

"Ah right, it's a headband!" (Thinks) "Funny kind of headband
with a built-in nose warmer!"

The Duchess

(submitted on Her Grace's behalf by Gill)

"I am sure elastic was stronger in my Grandmamma's day!"

STRAWBERRIES & CREAM AWARD

Lisah

"Are your buns as impressive as these, Rafa?"

The Editor's (My)
ROBINSON BARLEY WATER AWARD

Good Dog

High-jinks at the Lawn Tennis Club bar prove
it's not just the Scottish players who are tight arses.

and
THE RUNNERS UP...

"Oh, OUT you said... Sorry I misheard."
(Suzanne)

"Does this fit in with the Wimbledon dress code?"
(Lisah)

When rain thtopped play at Wimbledon nobody
wath thurprithed when Cliff Richard glanthed down
at the court and then thaid he wath going for a thong.
(Irascible Ian)

"I'm here for the caption competition job.
I trust I've come appropriately attired!"
(Boll Weavil)

"Nope, you can get it out yourself and in future, if you want to receive
a serve from Nadal, I suggest you at least face the right way."
(Boll Weavil)

"Make your mind up umpire! Is the ball in or out?"
(Boll Weavil)

"Now do I win the point Mr Sibley?"
(Boll Weavil)

Roger, seeing Mr Sibley in the umpire's chair, knew
exactly how to make sure the line calls went in his favour....
(Boll Weavil)

I'm not sure that was what the umpire meant when he said
he wanted another look at that point.
(Boll Weavil)

"Hey that line call was wrong. That ball was in, as much as these are!"
(David Weeks)

There goes the ball with my shirt and braces wrapped around it.
I wonder if I'll ever see the shirt again?"
(David Weeks)

Simon had yet to fully grasp the finer points of playing 'Strip Tennis'.
(David Weeks)

Jason was terrific when playing close to the net but failed hopelessly
when required to move back in the court to reach a high ball.
(David Weeks)

"I am, look... I qualify... see? Oh, the women's final - sorry, my mistake."
(David Weeks)

"But umpire, there's nothing in the Association's rules about
how shorts are to be worn, only that they are worn..."
(David Weeks)

FINALLY...

The Editor's (Mine again!)
John McEnroe
Originality-You-Must-Be-Joking Prize

"Ball Boy!"
(Qenny)

Congratulations to the winners, commiserations to the runners up and thanks to everyone for entering and to JEN for her court rulings!