Portsmouth & District Winter League

Ladies Division 1 – Avenue 1 beat Avenue 2 (4-0) –Anna Newman, Viola Masona, Ruth Percival, Katy Loh (Avenue 1) Helen Watson, Lee Harvie-Wood, Zoe Larkin, Ali Thomson (Avenue 2)

L-R Zoe Larkin, Sian Prior, Lee Harvie-Wood, Helen Watson, Anna Newman, , Ruth Percival, Viola Masona, Katy Loh (Ali Thomson)

Match report

Our first match of the season was an all -Avenue affair. The sun was warm and the matches soon hotted up. A substitute was made before we even started when Sian pulled her calf. Ali stepped in and play began.

Some great play and long rallies saw Ladies 1 take the lead 2-0. After the turnaround things were a little different Anna and Viola losing the first set on a tie break were a bit at a loss and we changed our game style and came back to win the match on a championship tiebreak. Katy and Ruth secured the win also. 4-0 win on a fun day of tennis lovely sunshine and a lovely tea afterwards. Thanks again Ali for stepping in for the Ladies 2. Anna Newman

Mixed Division 4 – Avenue 4 winning draw v Southsea 2 (2-2) – Mary Robinson, Graham Cotterill, Katherine Arnold, Adrian Drummond.

Match report

Fresh from a triumphant summer season, Avenue 4 found themselves pitched straight back into action in an away day at Southsea. It was a tricky challenge with Southsea fortifying their squad with some youthful new talent. Katherine and Adrian took on the young second pair first and had just enough guile and experience to see them off in a close straight-sets contest. Mary and Graham found themselves in a topsy-turvy battle, conceding the opening set of their first rubber 1-6 but coming back to take the second 7-5. Unfortunately they were outgunned in the deciding tiebreak. In the second rubber, the youngsters found their rhythm against Mary and Graham. With all to play for Katherine and Adrian almost let a 5-2 lead slip in the first set but prevailed 7-5 and went on to take the second 6-3 to secure the winning draw on sets. With happy hearts we adjourned to the clubhouse where it seemed a sumptuous Sunday roast was being prepared. Unfortunately those were for the paying customers and the tennis tea involved a more humble soup and toast. I guess them’s the breaks folks, but we’ll happily take the 2 points. Adrian Drummond

Mixed Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 lost to CourtX (1-3) – Mark Fullstone, Angie Brown, Dawn Wears, Matt Bennett

Match report

3-1, 7-2, 46-24 defeat in our opening match of the Winter season. We did much better in second round of rubbers. Mark Fullstone

East Hants Summer League

Ladies Division 1 – Avenue lost to Swanmore A (3-5) – Dawn Wears, Caron Howe, Sarah Long, Denise Simper

Mens Division 4 – Avenue B beat Alton C (5-3) – Stew Wiles, Robe Mort, Ian Hedges, Stu Newman

Match report

Difficult night, late start due to one of their players not turning up. We were gifted 4 points/sets, 20 min rain delay after first set played and then a change of court due to puddles on original. Disrupted rhythm and second set lost. Wet balls, ultra bright lights and indifferent bounces contributed to loss. Rob and Stew sat out for 90 mins and totally unprepared for conditions when chance to play. Stew played in sunglasses for most of match to try and counteract light level and see some of lobs that came our way. Overall, a tennis night to forget. Good company though made it enjoyable. Stew Wiles

Portsmouth News Article

No report this week.

Paul Whittenham