The Mixed Firsts continued their unbeaten run, with a fine 10-0 win over Rodway Hill. Sarah Dawe and Darren Thompson had relatively comfortable wins in both their rubbers, but the highlight of the evening was an epic battle in Jon Doel and Kelly Lycett’s second rubber, having won their first with ease.
The first two sets were very long, and were shared (7-6 to Jon/Kelly, 6-4 to Rodway), and there was only forty minutes left before the 10 p.m. lights-out deadline. However, Rodway opted to play a full set, which Jon and Kelly won with just five minutes to spare! So despite Rodway being nice people, they went away empty-handed.
The Mixed Seconds played a tough fixture on Sunday in Bristol’s wind and rain. Nathan Jackson and Janie Bullus had a tough first rubber against the A pair, but eventually came through; 4-6, 6-0, 7-6.
Their second rubber was a much more comfortable 6-0, 6-4. Richard Chapman and Louise Derrick had two long and tough rubbers, but just managed to sneak both of them; 6-3, 7-6, and 1-6, 7-6, 1-0 (11-9) – well done! All very close in difficult conditions, and Writhlington were very happy to get the win.
The Men’s Seniors team of Andy Jeffery/Chris Cox and Ray Clarke/Terry Gillman were hoping that Clifton, without a win so far this season, would break the cycle of 6-4 results by giving us a 10-0 or 8-2 win. However, it was not to be.
Andy and Chris struggled against Simon and Stuart, making loads of unforced errors and throwing away comfortable leads in both sets, but managed to win 6-4, 6-4. Against the B pair of John and Paul, Andy and Chris trounced them in the first set, 6-1, but then reverted to giving away points and games and narrowly won a tense second set, 6-4.
Ray and Terry had a bit of a nightmare evening, and whilst many, many games went to deuce, they just couldn’t convert them, and they went down 6-1, 6-0 in both rubbers. Whilst it was two rubbers each, Clifton had a far superior game advantage and deservedly took the extra two points.
Andy Jeffery