Please find details below of the Club tennis matches played and recorded since Thursday 13th February: –

Portsmouth & District League

Ladies Division 1 – Avenue 1 losing draw v Chichester 1 (2-2) – Anna Newman, Natalie Denby, Jenny Smith, Jenny Smith

Match report

Our latest fixture was against Chichester. We knew it would be a hard match for us as Chichester are currently topping the league. Our first round matches were a topsy turvy affair with both teams battling hard. It ended up 1-1. The 2nd round was must the same with both matches going to tie breaks again the result was 1-1. Unfortunately we ended up with a losing draw. 2 games ultimately costing us the victory. I am so proud of my team. We all battled so hard not giving and inch. Well done to all who played. Anna Newman.

Mens Division 1 – Avenue 1 winning draw v Ventnor 1 (2-2) – James Rosenthal, David Moakes, James Green, Tom Dow

Match report

Off they went, the formidable foursome to the perilous lands of Ventnor. James Green the first to arrive at The Avenue for the 7:45am meet at a prompt 7:39am, David Moakes at 7:43am, James Rosenthal at 7:48am and Tom Dow at 7:52am (P.S don’t be late to a match with David… he will always remember)! Our first breakfast began just down the road at Ethos, Greeny treated us all to some hot chocolates and coffees, Dow also making light work of a pastry (Nick Castle still most displeased). We made check in with enough time to spare for breakfast number two, four Callipo ice lollies and a cheese and mushroom toastie for desert for James Green. Having successfully made it onto the island, we were in the mood for more… food! Mr David Moakes suggested a trip to one of the more boutique establishments, I believe its pronounced McDonald’s. This one was on Mr Moakes, although his 50,000 cash back points covered most of the order comprised of McMuffins, hash browns and milkshakes. Onto the main event… the tennis. We won. Despite losing two championship tiebreak deciders, in Avenue like fashion we still managed to come away with 2 points to Ventnor’s 1. Oh and an important part to add here, Tom Dow managed to turn up with no rackets. Yep, you heard that right, he had no tennis rackets for a tennis match, but thankfully equipment specialist David was on hand to plug the gaps. To reward the captain for driving, James R returned to his car post-match to find a mass of unmentionable profanity written, and yes drawn, in the dust across his car. Thanks team. We then proceeded back to the mainland to celebrate a successful day with the 2s, who also shared the same match day. BUT WAIT. The three breakfasts prior had caused the car to significantly slow under the pressure, meaning we missed our 3pm ferry home! With another slot not available until 6pm, the foursome shared a pub dinner just up the road from the terminal, although David may have preferred to be at his actual planned birthday dinner back on the mainland… still, a good time was had by all. Of course we eventually had to head home, and despite our best efforts to leave James Green behind by locking him out of the car, the ferry staff were very insistent that the island would never take him, and should instead remain the problem of the mainland. Well done team! Our next fixture is Sunday 23rd February @ home to Warsash. James Rosenthal

Mens Division 1 – Avenue 2 lost to CourtX 2 (1-3) – Lloyd Sampson, Matt Lee, Luke Mendez, Andy Gilliatt

Match report

The Avenue 2s made the trip to Southsea to take on CourtX 2. As you can imagine at this time of year, it was cold and windy. The squad of captain Lloyd Sampson, safe hands Andy Gilliatt, big hitting Matt Lee and the one and only soon to be married Luke Mendez. Unfortunately for us, CourtX decided to play one of their 1s players, but nonetheless, we fought until the very end. Lloyd Sampson and Matt Lee, won 1/2 of their rubbers with Andy G and Luke Mendez, narrowly missing out on a rubber win. On another day we could of won, but that’s tennis. The squad will continue to work hard in their quest to stay up in Div 1. Final score Avenue 2s 1-3 CourtX 2. Lloyd Sampson

Mens Division 4 – Avenue 3 beat Ryde Mead 2 (3-1) – Matt Hotchkiss, Adam Tolmie, Joe Hopkins, David Parvinmehr

Match report

We had a lovely trip to the Isle of Wight on Sunday. Dense cheese scones, sausage rolls, average but popular chutney, very nice baclava and a beer on the ferry as we came home. It was almost ruined when none of us could come up with the nautical equivalent of turbulence. We eventually agreed on “choppy”.  I think we also won a tennis match as well, finishing the season guaranteed second after only losing one match. If only we could have gone up to the top deck on the way home. Bring on the summer! Matt Hotchkiss

Mixed Division 3 – Avenue 2 beat Wickham (4-0) – Martyn Lawrenson, Peter Campbell, Helen Watson, Lee Harvie-Wood

Match report

Pete’s Avenue mixed Team v Pete’s Wickham team played at the Wickham roundabout on Sunday 16th. A small, friendly and welcoming club on a cold and grey day. Martyn was in a hurry, with places to go & people to see but he didn’t need to worry. Good fun tennis played and the Avenue 2’s were convincing in their 4-0 win. After Martyn left the remainder of the team, Chauffeur Pete, Lee and Helen W tucked into a great match tea, sandwiches and two types of cake. Nice! Andy Gilliatt

Mixed Division 3 – Avenue 3 beat Fishbourne (4-0) – Sarah Long, Ella Tusler, Martin Mallick, Paul Whittenham

Match report

A relatively comfortable win over a spirited Fishbourne team which sees us climb above them in the table. Many thanks to both Martin Mallick and Sarah Long who stepped in at short notice due to an injury crisis and to Ella Tusler who all played magnificently to help us secure a much-needed win and move us up the table. 2 matches left to play against teams below us which will hopefully see us secure another Winter season in Division 3. A big thank you to my team for all their efforts today. Paul Whittenham

Mens Masters Division 2 – Avenue beat Rowlands Castle (4-0) – Rob Mort, Graham Cotterill, Richard Ainscow, Andy Perkins

Match report

A good win in cold, windy conditions. Rob Mort

Mixed Masters Division 2 – Avenue 2 beat Fishbourne (3-1) – Mark Fullstone, Dawn Wears, Sarah Long, David Spink

Match report

Good win today in a closely contested match, 3-1 in rubbers, 6-3 in sets and 40-34 in games. Thanks to Sarah, David and Dawn. Mark Fullstone

East Hants League

Veterans Mixed Division 3 – Avenue drew with Avondale B (4-4) – Linda Barber, Stew Wiles, Heulwen Newman, Graham Cotterill

Match report

Avenue showed they were made of stern stuff on one of the coldest days this winter. They braved freezing temperatures and biting northeast winds to claim a 4-4 draw against Avondale in the East Hants vets with Avenue taking it 35-34 in games by the slimmest of margins. Special mention goes to Linda Barber who completed the match despite being hit by a ball hard in the eye at the net in the last rubber. Thankfully no lasting damage was caused. The tie along with a walkover over Alton takes Avenue to the top of the standings in division 3 with two matches to play. Well played Stew Wiles, Linda Barber, Graham Cotterill and Heulwen Newman. Adrian Drummond

Portsmouth News Article

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

Paul Whittenham