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

National League

Mens Regional SW(E) Division – Avenue lost to Farnham Common (1-2 in a shoot-out after a tied match) – Ian Udal, James Rosenthal, David Moakes, James Leonard. Lloyd Sampson

Portsmouth & District Winter League

Mens Division 3 – Avenue 3 beat Chichester 3 (4-0) – Adam Tolmie, Ian Marks, George Bentley, Martyn Lawrenson

Match report

The team worried it was a bad omen when the car we were kindly ferried to the game in refused the drivers commands and did all it could to keep us driving past the courts. Avenue, a team of mixed ages, but mostly flirting with 40…and then some… took on Chichester who fielded a GCSE student and two University students. Avenue prevailed in the changing winds with both pairs securing a good number of games to start our season well. 2nd pair of Adam and Ian had a tight first set as they let their 5-2 lead become 5-5 whilst our 1st pair, of Martyn and George had already finished their rubber and added the pressure of watching the remainder. A small crowd gathered on the balcony and once we ignored the pat-pat of the padel courts next to us (sigh) and we got the job done. Chichester always provide a fantastic tea and a positive atmosphere. A brilliant day. Adam Tolmie

Mixed Division 1 – Avenue 2 losing draw v Chichester 1 (2-2) – Vicki White, Lloyd Sampson, Zoe Larkin, Ross MacPherson

Match report

Avenue Mixed 2 began their summer campaign with a spirited and hard fought performance away at Chichester 1, earning a well-deserved draw in what was both the opening fixture of the season and the team’s first ever match in Division 1. Played on Chichester’s clay courts, the contest was made even more challenging by blustery and unpredictable winds, testing consistency, concentration, and tactical awareness throughout the morning. Facing strong and experienced opposition, Avenue showed resilience and determination from the outset, refusing to be overawed by either the conditions or the step up in level. Leading the charge for Avenue were the first pair, Sampson and White, who delivered an outstanding performance under pressure. Demonstrating composure at key moments, they secured victories in both of their rubbers, each decided by finely balanced tie-breaks. Their success not only proved crucial to the overall result but also extended their remarkable record as a pairing, still unbeaten in tie-breaks since joining forces. Across the other rubbers, Macpherson and Larkin battled hard in every set, with several closely contested games reflecting just how evenly matched the sides were. While Chichester’s experience told at times, Avenue’s fighting spirit ensured they stayed competitive throughout, ultimately earning a share of the spoils. Securing a draw, and a valuable point, against such strong opposition marks an encouraging start to Avenue Mixed 2’s Division 1 journey. With performances like this, the team can take great confidence into the rest of the summer season. Mixed 2’s next fixture is the local derby against Avenue Mixed 1’s on Saturday 2nd May. Come and support this Avenue v Avenue classic! Andy Gilliatt

Mixed Division 4 – Avenue 5 lost to Steep 2 (0-4) – Chloe Treagust, Tom Perry, Debbie Barton, Richard Mead

Match report

Close sets in some windy conditions. Billie Shamash

Ladies Masters Division 3 – Avenue 2 beat Denmead (3-1) – Denise Simper, Sarah Long, Anne Treagust, Becky Howarth

Match report

What a great start for our 1st summer match Denise/Sarah and Anne/Becky had a very good win over Denmead by 3-1 in rubbers, 6-2 in sets and 45-25 in games. Well played and thank you. Jenny Ward

Hants & IOW Summer League

Ladies Division 2 – Avenue beat Kingsgate (8-0) – Natalie Denby, Katie Rowley, Jenny Smith, Viola Masona

Match report

Ladies A started our summer campaign in the Hants and Isle of Wight league with a resounding 4-0 win away to Kingsgate in Winchester. Our ladies only dropped 20 games over 4 matches. What an impressive performance. Well done team. Anna Newman.

Mens O55 Division 3 – Avenue 3 winning draw v Wellow 2 (2-2) – Stew Wiles, Mark Fullstone, Phil Tusler, Mike Smith

Match report

The last rubber was unfinished due to the lights going out following a delayed start to the match after a nightmare journey down the M27 which took 90 minutes! This meant that only the first round of rubbers counted towards the overall match result, giving us a narrow win by 20 games to 19. Stew Wiles

Match report

We lost 2-1 with the last rubber unfinished due to the lights going out. We had just won the second set and had we won the championship tie break it would have been a 2-2 draw. M27 a nightmare – took 90 mins to get there! Stew Wiles

Portsmouth News Article

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

Paul Whittenham

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