Mens end of season match report

The Club decided to enter only one team in the Hants & IoW (winter) League this season largely due to the non-availability and particularly injury to a number of leading players including stalwarts such as: Colin Burville, Rob Strickland, and Pete Jones.

Consequently, we assembled a mixed squad of some 14 players who were drawn from all parts of the club including the B team, the Vets team and some of the stronger juniors who all joined the remaining A team players. Unfortunately we were not able to choose our division but had to take the place of the A team which had stayed in Division 2, clearly where the standard of tennis is high.

Despite this our objectives were to involve the whole squad and use the winter matches for development and preparation for the summer season. A second objective was to target a couple of wins to keep the team in division 2.

We were successful in the first objective in that everyone in the squad played 2 or 3 matches (except for 4 players who were only available for one match). Unfortunately, we were thwarted in the second objective in the further loss to injury and/or limited availability of another three key players namely Wayne Barter, Kevin Comac and Peter Drysdale (who has recently had an operation on his shoulder and to whom we wish a speedy recovery) who together have considerable experience of competing at this level.

That said the players who replaced them gave a good account of themselves and all matches were keenly contested and hard fought. Indeed on a couple of occasions, the opposition commented on the enjoyment of the matches and the quality of the tennis played, which has reflected well on the club.

All of the squad contributed to the high standard of tennis this winter and it was very good to see not only the involvement but also the valuable contribution from a number of new players to the club including:

• Kevin Comac- who has joined us from France and who partnered with Wayne won all three rubbers against Shawford

• Phil Torkington- who has joined us from London, and who partnered with Mark Hinxman to share two rubbers against a strong South Hants team

• Richard Peters- who has also joined us from London, and who again partnering with Mark Hinxman twice came close to sharing rubbers in two matches and most notably were 5-4 up against (champions) Winchester’s No 2 pairing before being finally edged at 7-5

• Geoff Littler- who has joined us along with Nikki and Charlotte from Sheffield, and who partnering with Chris Stone came close to sharing a rubber with South Hants second string.

Finally, it was enjoyable to see our talented youngsters break through into the mens teams. In particular Adam Drysdale who is maturing into an accomplished doubles player and increasingly has looked comfortable playing against some of the best players in the county. Adam looks set to be joined by his brother Richard, who partnered him in the Thornden match, and also young David Darby who has greatly impressed in training, and was selected to play with Adam in the Bassett match.

In all a most enjoyable season and the influx of new players and the juniors coming through the ranks augur well for continued success this summer season.

Richard Hancock
Mens team captain

Ladies end of season match report

The Ladies team has finished their winter matches, playing in the Hants & IoW League, Division 2. Three matches had to be re-arranged due to poor weather, it was either raining or there was ice on the courts. A midwinter 10am start doesn’t always provide ideal playing conditions!

The season started well with two wins against Waterside and Swanmore, followed by three losses to Riverside, Thornden and Basset. To the team’s delight the final match, against Portswood was a victory. 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, Barbara Harvey, Helen Currie and Emma Poffley. Thank you also to those who played at short notice: Jeannie Kettle and Charlotte Littler.

If anyone is keen to play in the Ladies team during the summer, please contact me.

Jane Hendry
Ladies team captain

Easter Fun Tournament

You have to wonder about the logic of the way that Easter is calculated – for those of you interested in such things, it’s the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox.  Obvious, really!  What it meant this year was that you had to be a hardy soul to risk the Fun Tournament which marked the start of the 2008 Littleton Tennis Club summer season. 

Despite the weather, and there was plenty of it, it was fun for the 20 or so members who pitched up.  Play started in glorious sunshine, but the black clouds soon rolled in, and then we got the hail – for the first time!  Players on Court Three dived for the shelter of the hut, but the hoots of derision and cries of ‘Wimps’ soon brought them back out. 

The format of the event was a handicap tournament where winning a game was rewarded by starting the next game a point down – win the next game and it was two points down, and so on.  To say it was a great leveller was something of an understatement and most sets – made up of seven games – ended up being close with four : three the most common result.  No long games either – get to deuce and it was sudden death! 

With four courts in play throughout – three mixed doubles and a men’s – the pace was brisk and the event was excellently organised by Beryl May, ably assisted by Vivienne Aspin.  To make the numbers work we needed an additional man, and Vivienne’s contribution was above and beyond the call of duty in being re-christened James for the afternoon!  

Play stopped after about two and a half hours, but not before another burst of hail ensured that everyone got just a little bit damp – the verdict of the jury was that the second hailstorm was just a fraction short of being proper snow.  A very welcome picnic tea in the clubhouse saw David Carslaw – who triumphed despite a considerable amount of abuse from his fellow players – and Sue Brown declared the winners, with Clare and Tim Harris getting chocolate Easter Bunnies as leading juniors.

All in all it was a really enjoyable afternoon and a great way to start the 2008 summer season.