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

Portsmouth & District Winter League

Mixed Division 2 – Avenue 3 winning draw v Warsash 2 (2-2) – Alison Clarke, Paul Whittenham, Becky Howarth, Bailey Rowsell

Match report

In an important match for both teams currently battling it out at the lower end of the Mixed Division 2 table, an early injury to one of the Warsash ladies meant the unfortunate concession of 2 rubbers and a guaranteed winning draw for our team. However, a strong Warsash first pair fought hard to win both of their rubbers in close contests and secure an important league point for their team. A very big thank you to Bailey, Alison and Becky for representing our team in very difficult playing conditions. Paul Whittenham

Mixed Division 4 – Avenue 5 lost to Wickham (1-3) – Tina Leighton-Smith, Mark Fullstone, Michele Voysey, Iain Lynch (see team photo below)

Match report

A great effort made by the team in testing conditions. High bouncing ball on hot tarmac, a strong wind and temperature of 30 degrees. Billie Shamash

Mixed Masters Division 1 – Avenue 1 beat Swanmore 1 (3-1) – Katie Rowley, George Bentley, Gill Clarke, Paul Whittenham

Match report

Despite a much earlier start than usual at 9am, the on-court temperature was already soaring ahead of a tough fixture against a strong Swanmore team. With no certainty that the match as a whole would be completed, the first round of fixtures took on an even greater importance with no guarantee that the second round of rubbers would be contested due to the rising temperature. As it happened, Avenue got off to the strongest of starts with our first pair, Katie Rowley and George Bentley winning in straight sets against their Swanmore counterparts. On the adjacent court, the fledging partnership of Gill Clarke and Paul Whittenham got off to a great start, winning a close first set 6-4, a result that was reversed in the second set, leading to nervy championship tie-break. Gill and Paul secured an early advantage and one that they refused to relinquish to give the Avenue team a 2-0 lead at the halfway point. It was then agreed that the match would be played to it’s conclusion in very uncomfortable but manageable conditions. Our men’s pair of George and Paul played out 2 close sets which ultimately ended in defeat but Katie and Gill dominated their opponents to make sure that we secured 2 very important points in our quest for the Mixed Masters Division 1 title and a first victory against Swanmore in my reign as Team captain. Massive congratulations to the team, especially in such testing conditions. Helen Weekes

Hants & IOW Summer League

Mens O45s Division 2 – Avenue lost to Thornden (2-6) – Peter Campbell, Phil Broad, Neil Crawford, Richard Marston

Mens O55s Division 2 – Avenue 2 lost to Lee (2-6) – Rob Mort, Stu Newman, Nick Castle, Malcolm Van Rooyen

Mens O55s Division 3 – Avenue 3 lost to Kingsgate 1 (1-6) – Stew Wiles, Mark Fullstone, Adrian Drummond, Robert Haines

Match report

With a lot of luck, we may have managed a draw but it didn’t go to plan. Did go to the wire though as the last rubber not completed due to lack of light. Stew Wiles

East Hants Summer League

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue beat Graffham A (6-2) – Alison Clarke, Sarah Long, Caron Howe, Dawn Wears

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue lost to Haslemere B (2-6) – Sarah Long, Denise Simper, Caron Howe, Dawn Wears

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue v Graffham A (6-2) – Caron Howe, Dawn Wears, Alison Clarke, Sarah Long

Match report

A very good win within a week against a strong Graffham team. Well done again Ladies! Jenny Ward

Portsmouth News Article

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

Paul Whittenham

Avenue Mixed 5 v Wickham (L-R Wickham players x 3, Tina Leighton Smith (green top) Michele Voysey (pink top) Mark Fullstone (blue top) Wickham player & Iain Lynch (white & navy top)