The rapid transition to autumn brought great results for the Writhlington teams last weekend. The Mixed Firsts had a good win, albeit against the bottom team, and the Seconds continued their bid for a promotion spot in Division Three with a close win at fourth-placed Rodway Hill. The Men’s Seniors continued their unbeaten run, and look set fair for promotion to Division Two and the Ladies Seniors got ten points without having to serve a ball!

Mens Seniors - Writhlington 8 – 2 Central

This match was closer than the score suggests, and required both home pairs to think hard about their game plans and adapt their style of play to counter the threat posed by the Central A pair.

Against this pair (Mark and John), Simon Brand and Richard Chapman got off to a spectacularly slow start (even a snail would have been proud) displaying the consistency and enthusiasm of wet tar (being 4-1 down), before a change of tactics and some half decent shots saw a spectacular comeback to take the first set, 6-4. Although not a foregone conclusion, the home pair maintained their focus and superior shot-making and took the second set, 6-3. In the meantime, Chris Cox and Stan Janiek had demolished the second pair (Peter and Wendell) 6-2, 6-1 in short order.

Simon and Richard inflicted the same misery on the second pair in even shorter order, winning 6-1, 6-0, whilst Writhlington’s Chris and Stan were battling against Mark and John. The first set went to a tie break and despite Stan planting a shot where it hurts (a great deal!) on John, the Central pair recovered (albeit slowly) and took the first set. In the second, Chris played like a man (or more like a young gazelle) possessed and darted around the court, intercepting volleys with the grace of a heavyweight fighter after ten rounds, one set all (6-7, 6-2). Rather than pushing for a tie break, the decision was taken to play a third set, much to the frustration of the other pairs watching; the pint would have to wait! As the noise level rose and shots became even harder, the Central pair kept their composure and ran out winners, 6-3.

With just three matches left, we remain undefeated and at the top of the division.

Mixed

Writhlington Firsts 8 – 2 Henleaze

Mandy Baldwin and Patrick Lodge teamed up once again to play the Henleaze pairing of Steve and Anna. A quick start was just what the doctor ordered with Mandy and Pat winning the first set, 6-0, with some good serving from Pat and stunning forehand returns from Mandy. Steve’s unorthodox style of slicing every forehand and late grunting on serve gained Henleaze two games in the second set but that was as close as they could muster with the Writhlington pairing playing aggressively.

Moving onto the second match, we had been warned about Tom and Heidi being shot makers, particularly Tom. Sure enough, the Henleaze pair flew off to a 3-1 lead, playing some excellent stuff with some brilliant rallies. Writhlington weathered the storm, and got back on serve, breaking at 4-4 and taking the set, 6-4. This seemed to knock the confidence of Tom and Heidi and raise it of Mandy and Pat.

Writhlington combined well all over the court to win the second, 6-0. Nice and friendly sporting opposition made the evening enjoyable.

Sarah Dawe and Graham Steer started the first set a little slowly against the Henleaze second pair of Tom and Heidi. Henleaze really came out of the blocks quickly and played very well to take the first set, 6-3. Tom seemed a strong, consistent hitter, and was aptly supported by Heidi. The second set was tough, and there were moments where the Writhlington pair started getting into the match but kept losing crucial points in close games – 3-6, 2-6 the final score.

The second match against the Henleaze pair of Steve and Anna proved to be an entirely different proposition. Quite why Henleaze thought it appropriate to have their considerably weaker pair as first pair was a little baffling, as there seemed a world of difference in their ability and standard compared to their younger counterparts.

Graham and Sarah upped their game and dealt with the spin and unorthodox shot-making of the opposition well. Sarah’s forehand proved far too strong for the Henleaze pair, and they were clearly intimidated by aggressive play and rushing the net (good advice from Patrick). Final score 6-1, 6-4.

Rodway Hill Seconds 4 – 6 Writhlington Seconds

A lovely sunny morning saw a Second team of Pauline Medhurst, Sarah Alexander, Graham Steer and James Brocksopp travel to Rodway Hill.

James and Pauline paired up and took on the Rodway ’A’ pair of Nick and Julie. Nick, being a fourteen-year-old lad who showed great composure and maturity for his age. A quick start and early breaks of the Rodway service games saw us canter into a 5-2 lead in the first set. After that, the wheels well and truly came off, for no apparent reason. Error after error saw us surrender the first set 7-5, and we never really pulled it together for the second. 7-5, 6-3 loss.

Our second match against Karthik and Hayley was a more straightforward affair. The Rodway pair being the ones who made a succession of mistakes this time. Even then we made hard work of the second set, with Karthik making more interceptions and causing us problems. At 4-4 we were starting to wonder if we would be dragged into a third set, but we were able to hold our nerve to see the match out in two sets. A 1-6, 4-6 win the final score.

Graham and Sarah kicked off against Rodway Hill’s second pair, Karthik and Hayley. Debutante, Sarah Alexander, has only very recently joined Writhlington Tennis Club and began her first ever competitive league match, so understandably, there were a few nerves jangling about. The Writhlington pair lost the first couple of games, but the nerves soon went and confidence grew.

Sarah started dominating the net and began mercilessly smashing anything within hitting distance at the opposition. Such ruthless violence belongs in mixed tennis and if they ain’t gonna turn up with helmets, armour and steel-toe boots, then that’s their problem, right Sarah?!

The Writhlington pair took the first set, 6-4. The second set proved easier, and the Writhlington pair played well. In particular, Sarah’s forehand proved a strong weapon and the swag to go with it was phenomenal. The set ended 6-1, which was a great first match result.

The second match against Rodway’s first pair, Nick and Julie, proved a tougher challenge. The very talented Nick was young, but surprisingly consistent, and composed in his all round game, ably supported by a solid partner. Rodway got off to a good start and took the first set, 6-4. Much of this first set result derived from some pretty crude volleying from Graham - it was as though his hands had just been stuck on as an afterthought during his making – not good! The second set was much better and the Writhington pair took this comfortably, 6-3. The final set was a closely fought encounter, but the Rodway pair held their nerve well and took it, 6-4.

It was a tough loss following a good win, but in the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found in playing well.

Ladies Seniors

Olveston 0 – 10 Writhlington

Olveston could not raise a team, so gave us a walkover.