Please find details below of the Club tennis matches played and recorded since last Thursday: –

Portsmouth & District Winter League

Ladies Division 1 – Avenue 2 beat Ryde Mead (4-0) – Helen Watson, Sarah Long, Jackie Edney, Heather Halliday

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue 3 lost to Ryde Lawn 1 (1-3) – Katherine Arnold, Becky Howarth, Louise Charlton, Liz Lim

Mens Division 1 – Avenue 2 lost to Warsash 1 (0-4) – Joe Hopkins, James Rosenthal, Ross MacPherson, Richard Marston

Mens Division 3 – Avenue 3 lost to PTC (1-3) – Matt Hotchkiss, David Parvinmehr, Adam Tolmie, George Bentley

Mixed Division 4 – Avenue  beat Wickham (4-0) – Jess Paige, Stu Newman, Louise Charlton, Ant Spencer

Match report

High-flying Avenue 4 welcomed Wickham for their latest mixed 4s fixture and turned in another excellent all-round performance to record a convincing 4-0 victory, sending the team to the top of the table. Jess and Stu set the tone with a dominant display against the Wickham second pair, racing to a 6-2, 6-0 win. Meanwhile, Louise, playing her second match in two days, partnered Anthony in the match of the day. Their encounter swung one way and then the other, with both pairs producing some excellent tennis. After losing the opening set 4-6, Louise and Anthony responded strongly to level the match 6-2 before holding their nerve to edge a thrilling championship tie-break 12-10. The winning point was a fitting finish, with Anthony unleashing a fizzing backhand winner down the line. The reverse rubbers proved more straightforward for Louise and Anthony, who continued their fine form with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 victory. Jess and Stu faced a tougher examination against Wickham’s first pair but showed great composure at the key moments to complete a well-earned 6-4, 6-4 success. The clean sweep secured a 4-0 match victory, lifting Avenue 4 to the top of the table and keeping the pressure firmly on Steep with just two fixtures remaining. Stu Newman

Ladies Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 beat Fishbourne (3-1) – Caron Howe, Dawn Wears, Denise Simper, Sarah Long

Match report

I am delighted and very happy to say we had a 3-1  6-2  42-30 victory over Fishbourne. Thank you  Caron/Dawn/Denise/Sarah for playing in the heatwave. taking us to the top. We have 2 matches left both Ventnor (home 4th and away 21st August). Jenny Ward

Mens Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 drew with Swanmore 2 (2-2) – Rob Mort, Matt Bennett, Adrian Drummond, Malcolm Van Rooyen

Mixed Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 losing draw v Warsash 1 (2-2) – Angie Brown, Matt Bennett, Becky Howarth, Adrian Drummond

Match report

Avenue Mixed 2’s plucky quartet took to the hard courts at Warsash in what proved to be brutal conditions as the court surface reflected the full glare of the midday sun. Matt and Angie didn’t get much change out of Warsash’s first pair but Adrian and Becky found themselves drawn into a 2 and a quarter hour marathon first rubber in the battle of the seconds. They served for the match at 5-3 in the second set but couldn’t get over the line and eventually lost the set tiebreaker. However they retained their composure and found enough energy from somewhere to win the match tiebreak 10-8. By then though the sun had done its worst and Warsash’s women made short work of our gallant duo in the ladies rubber. Matt and Adrian had also had enough and decided to up the aggression. The tactic worked as they moved quickly to a 6-2, 6-1 win to secure a losing draw. A very well earned point by all. Adrian Drummond

Hants & IOW Summer League

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue drew with Riverside 2 (4-4) – Anna Newman, Jenny Smith, Vicki White, Katy Loh

Match report

This summer is the first season where we haven’t had to rearrange a match due to bad weather. Our match Saturday was a home fixture against the team at the bottom of the league. We only needed a draw to secure promotion to Division 1 and my wonderful ladies didn’t disappoint. We battled hard and came away with just what we needed. There is still one result to come in but Kingsgate can’t catch us on rubbers so Division 1 here we come. Well done to all my ladies on a wonderful summer full of great matches and fantastic results. You have all done the Avenue proud. Well done one and all. Anna Newman

Mens O55s Division 3 – Avenue 3 drew with David Lloyd West End 2 (2-2) – Stew Wiles, Graham Cotterill, Richard Ainscow, Mark Fullstone

Match report

Another draw for O55C. We played out a 1-1 draw against David Lloyd who had one strong pair. Second round rubbers not counted as light disappeared at 9.20 with Graham and I fighting out a second set at 5-5, having one the first 7-5. Thankfully Mark and Richard secured our draw with a 6-1, 6-1 win against the same pair in the first round. Six draws now out of eight matches. Maybe, our last home match next week  will get us our first win!!! Stew Wiles

Mens O55s Division 2 – Avenue 2 beat Warsash 1 (6-2) – Rob Mort, Phil Tusler, Nick Castle, Matt Bennett

Portsmouth News Article

Last Saturday’s report can be found at the following link: Portsmouth & District LTA

Paul Whittenham