Drizzling rain did not deter some hardy spectators on Finals Day and they were treated to quality tennis – particlarly in the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles Finals.
Adam Drysdale was hoping to repeat his triple success of last year, but unluckily for him, Ashtey Pauls was the other Men’s Singles Finalist. Despite the conditions, the two young men played some awesome tennis, but Ashtey coolly managed to produce his best tennis at key points to become Littleton Champion 2009 (6-4, 6-3)
In the Men’s Doubles Final, reigning champions Geoff Morris & Adam Drysdale had a tough battle against Wayne Barter & Phil Torkington. After three sets of first class entertaining doubles’ play, Geoff & Adam finally won through to retain their title. (7-5, 6-7, 6-3) In the meantime, it took only two sets for defending champions Elaine Mousley & Meriel Elford to win the Ladies’ Doubles’ trophy for the second time. Overall, Elaine & Meriel made fewer unforced errors than their lively opponents, Gill Baker & Sam Chainey.
The Social Mixed Doubles Final (an aptly named event as two of the finalists had social engagements which meant they couldn’t play their match in the afternoon as originally scheduled!)took place in the morning. It was a very closely contested match and it took Colin Rees & Beryl May two and a quarter hours and three sets to overcome the determined challenge put up by Colin Boag & Celia Harris (6-3,3-6,7-6)
In the Open Mixed Doubles Final (delayed until Sunday morning because of the rain) Adam Drysdale and Jane Hendry were keen to hold on to the trophy that they won last year. However, Wayne Barter & Gill Baker were both equally keen to regain the Mixed Doubles Champions’ title, which they have held several times throughout their successful pairing. The contest began very evenly, with fine rallies, a mixture of attacking and defensive play and exciting volley exchanges. The first set was decided on a tie break, but then the greater experience, calmer and more consistent play of Wayne & Gill enabled them to win the Mixed Doubles’ trophy, 7-6, 6-1.
Many thanks to all who took part – and special thanks to Jane Hendry & Derek Quirk for organising everything.
Junior club members Ashtey Pauls, Miriam Chapman & Adam Drysdale all contributed significantly to the 6 – 2 win against Winchester B on Saturday 25th April. In the first league match of the 2009 summer season, the three young people played fine attacking tennis to impress the opposition with their talent.
In the first round of mixed doubles, all four Littleton pairs won their matches – albeit with one pair taking just a bit longer than the others to take the victory! However, in the second round of matches, the Winchester ladies’ second pair despatched the Littleton opposition quite quickly while the ladies’ first pairs became engaged in an extended battle lasting two and a half hours. The experienced Winchester first ladies’ pair refused to give up even when 1-4 down & 0-3 down and held out, eventually to win in three sets: 6-7, 7-5, 7-5.
In the men’s matches, Ashtey & Adam dropped just three games in their convincing win, but Wayne & Chris had to fight harder in their match to win 4-6, 6-1, 7-6.
Congratulations & thanks to all who played – a win against strong opposition and a great start to the season!
Vivienne
Team: Ashtey Pauls, Adam Drysdale, Wayne Barter, Chris Hughes; Miriam Chapman, Erika Walsh, Nikki Littler.
The Littleton under 16 boys have won all five of their group matches in the Winter Junior County League, beating Winchester, Hale Gardens, Aldershot Aces, Swanmore Longnecks and Totton & Eling.
The boys will now play a final play-off match against Southsea, the winners of the other group, to determine who will be the County Champions. The match is to take place at David Lloyd, Southampton during the May half-term week. It’s going to be difficult to choose the four boys to play in the final, as all of the following have played their part in the success of the team:
David Darby, Josh Pauls, Josh Peppiatt, Tom Hill, Auman Yick, Jamie Boyt.
Congratulations to all of them.
Every spring the baffle netting between the courts and the bowling green is fixed to the permanent boundary netting to provide a screen between the bowlers and the tennis players. On 4 April a team of volunteers spent 30 minutes fixing the temporary netting after the Saturday morning mix-in.
Thank you to Phil Davies, Chris Willson, Denis Patient, Les Brown, Chris Stone, Jon Edgington, Andy Thomsen and to Colin Rees, Grounds Committee member.
If you would like to help renovate the two umpire chairs in the next few weeks, please let me know. I’m hoping to find a small band of volunteers who are able to spend 2 (short) mornings at the Club sanding and topcoating the chairs in time for the summer tournament.
Jane Hendry
Volunteer Co-ordinator
The Ladies team has finished their winter matches, playing in the Hants & IoW League, Division 2. It’s been a difficult season, with three of the six matches needing to be re-arranged due to poor weather. These matches have been played in consecutive weeks, and luckily there ’s been an upturn in the weather that’s allowed us to finish without further re-arrangments.
The season started with a loss to a strong Swanmore team followed by a win to Waterside and another loss to the Hampshire Club who were relegated from Division 1 last season. The last three matches against Romsey, Compton & Shawford and Thornden were all emphatic wins. As in recent years we should retain our Division 2 status.
Thank you to all who played in matches this season: Erika Walsh, Gill Baker, Anne Heathorn, Vivienne Aspin, Emma Poffley, Sue Brown, Jane Bone, Charlotte Littler and Miriam Chapman. Thank you also to those who played at short notice: Jill Spiers and Jane True.
If anyone is keen to play in the Ladies team during the summer, please let me know.
Jane Hendry
Ladies team captain
The boys played the match in bitterly cold weather at Totton & Eling and fully deserved to win another two points, which will keep them top of their group in the Hants & Isle of Wight Junior Winter League.
In the first round of matches, Josh Pauls had yet another 6-0, 6-0 win, while David Darby took just a little bit longer to win 6 -2, 6-4. In their doubles match, Tom Hill & Auman Yick recovered from losing the first set 4-6 to take the second set 6-3, but then just lost out in the tie-break decider. David & Josh outplayed the opposition’s first doubles pair and were keeping warm in the pavilion while Auman tenaciously tormented his opponent in his singles match! Auman won the first set 6-2, then dropped a couple of games to be 3-5 in the second. He held on to reach 5-5, but eventually lost the set 5-7. In the deciding tie break, Auman produced some amazing shots, won the tie break and sealed an outright win for Littleton, 4-2.
Congratulations to all the boys and special thanks for playing in such horrible conditions, once again. (The only person to be heard whingeing about the freezing cold was the watching team manager!!)
Littleton boys are so far unbeaten in their winter league matches and are currently top of the league with two more matches to play.
David Darby, Josh Pauls, Sam Neale & Josh Peppiatt achieved a very pleasing and convincing 5-1 win against local rivals, Winchester. In the next fixture, against Hale Gardens, David Darby & Josh Pauls won their singles and doubles matches with ease (Josh dropped one point in his first set!) However, Josh Peppiatt & Tom Hill had tougher fights to win the valuable sets that gave Littleton the winning match result.
Against Swanmore on Sunday 18th January, the boys had another 5-1 victory. David Darby dropped just one game in his singles match – while Josh Pauls managed to drop two games! New recruit to the squad, Auman Yick, paired up with Tom Hill and they had a good win against the Swanmore second pair. David & Josh out-performed the Swanmore first pair while Tom deservedly won his singles match.
Congratulations to the boys in the squad – not only for the excellent standard of tennis, but also for their determined attitude and good sportsmanship when representing Littleton Tennis Club.
A determined small band of volunteers met on Monday 24 November to clear the area between the tennis courts and the bowling green. The focus this time was to clear the weeds around each planted shrub so that they had a chance to get fully established. Colin intends to deal with the remaining weeds shortly.
Our thanks go to David Horne, Phillip Davies and Colin Rees for spending a chilly Monday morning rootling around bagging up weeds.
Thank you also to Erika, who is looking after the area around the new club sign by court one. As I’m sure you’ve noticed three Skimmias have been planted around the sign, and Erika intends to plant some bulbs which will make a good show in the spring.
If anyone wishes to volunteer for any activity which will assist the club, please let me know by filling in the appropriate section of the membership form which will be out shortly.
Jane Hendry
Volunteer Coordinator
The Mens A team proved to be too strong for a determined Bassett C side. Top pairings Pete and Adam Drysdale and Wayne Barter and Richard Hancock won all six sets with third pairing Mark Hinxman and Scott Tuffiield chipped in with a win against Bassett’s 3rd pairing and a halve against their 2nd pairing.
ends
The Hants & IoW winter league lived up to its name today as the match conditions were blustery with two squalls of rain interrupting play for a short while. Littleton coped better with the conditions and came out worthy winners. Special mention must go to Miriam Chapman, who at 11 years old played her first, but I hope not her last, ladies match. Vivienne guided her through the challenge of playing club ladies doubles, and she demonstrated she was more than capable of holding her own. The Littleton pairings were even, each coming away with 2 rubbers apiece.
The team this week was Erika Walsh, Vivienne Aspin, Emma Poffley, Miriam Chapman, Jane Bone and Jane Hendry.
JH
