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

Portsmouth & District Winter League

Mixed Division 1 – Avenue 1 winning draw v Avenue 2 (1-1) – Ruth Percival, James Green, Natalie Denby, James Leonard (Avenue 1), Vicki White, Lloyd Sampson, Zoe Larkin, Joe Hopkins (Avenue 2)

Match report

On a dramatic Saturday afternoon at The Avenue Lawn Tennis Club, two in-house rivals, Mixed1 and Mixed2, served up a Division 1 clash that had everything: quality tennis, shifting momentum, looming storm clouds, and a finish as unpredictable as the British weather. Under a glorious sunny sky, the match began on the club’s immaculate grass courts, with only a distant threat of rain hinting at the chaos to come. First up, James Leonard & Natalie Denby (Mixed1) faced Joey Hopkins & Zoe Larkin (Mixed 2). Hopkins and Larkin threw everything at their more experienced opponents, producing some superb rallies and even a moment of magic, Joey scrambling to return a shot from the ground that drew gasps from those watching. Despite the resistance, Leonard and Denby’s composure and consistency told. They controlled the key points to seal a solid 6–3, 6–3 victory, giving Mixed 1 the early lead. The second rubber saw Lloyd Sampson & Vicki White (Mixed2) explode out of the blocks. Playing with confidence and flair, they stormed through the opening set 6–1, putting Mixed1 firmly on the back foot. But James Green & Ruth Percival had other ideas. Regrouping impressively, they “found their inner swan”, gliding into form with renewed poise and determination. Their fightback levelled the match at 1-1 as they claimed the second set 7-5. A third set would be needed. With dark clouds rolling in, the match shifted to the clay courts, but the weather had other plans. As the heavens opened, and the conditions became almost unplayable,  a decision was made: that a champions tie-break would decide the final rubber. What followed was nothing short of heroic. Sliding, scrambling, and soaked to the bone, both pairs dug deep in a gripping contest. In the end, it was Sampson & White who edged the drama, clinching a nail-biting 14–12 victory for Mixed 2, and extending their record of having never lost a tie break! With conditions unplayable and the tie delicately poised, captains agreed on a 1–1 draw. Competitive fire gave way to camaraderie as players and spectators gathered to celebrate a memorable afternoon, fuelled by slices of fresh cream Victoria sponge and, somewhat less traditionally, a round of Jäger bombs. A match that began in sunshine and ended in storm will be talked about at the Avenue for a long time, proof that tennis, like the weather, is always full of surprises. Mixed 2s next fixture is away at Ryde Lawn on 24th May. Andy Gilliatt

Mixed Division 2 – Avenue 3 lost to Lee 2 (1-3) – Dawn Wears, Bailey Rowsell, Katy Loh, David Parvinmehr

Match report

First match of the season and it was a tough one! Came up against a very strong 19-year old 1st team lady! We did our best and it was a very friendly game but we came second!! Dawn Wears

Mixed Division 4 – Avenue 4 beat Avenue 5 (4-0) – (see team photo) Graham Cotterill, Megan Gibbs, Adrian Drummond, Jess Paige (Avenue 4), Tom Perry, Chris Hill, Andrew Sabin, Sue Harrison (Avenue 5)

Mixed Masters Division 1 – Avenue 1 lost to Wellow (1-3) – Helen Weekes, Ian Marks, Nicolette Lock, Ian Holt

Mixed Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 beat Lee (3-1) – Mark Fullstone, Dawn Wears, Louise Charlton, Matt Bennett

Match report

Good win to start our Summer season, 3-1 in rubbers, 6-2 in sets and 44-31 in games. Mark Fullstone

Hants & IOW Summer League

Mens O55s Division 2 – Avenue 2 drew with Riverside (2-2) – Rob Mort, Stuart Newman, Matt Bennett, Nick Castle

Portsmouth News Article

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

L-R Graham Cotterill, Megan Gibbs, Adrian Drummond, Jess Paige (Avenue 4), Tom Perry, Chris Hill, Andrew Sabin, Sue Harrison (Avenue 5)