WRITHLINGTON 1sts 4 LANSDOWN 2nds 6

Writhlington hosted an eager Lansdown Second team, all of whom arrived before the home team were ready and raring to go.

Nathan and Patrick played against Steve and Ben. With some beautiful backhands from Nathan and Pat putting away volleys, they converted their chances to win 6-4, 6-4. Chris and Ollie were up against Fred and James, plenty of entertaining rallies and close games, but a 6-1, 6-1 win for Lansdown.

Chris and Ollie found some good rhythm from the baseline, with Ollie’s forehand looking tough to deal with, but the Lansdown pairing of Steve and Ben’s experience in doubles showed as they won 6-1, 6-2.

Pat and Nathan continued their good form, Nathan putting on a lobbing masterclass over the net, rushing James and Fred. It was 6-3 on the first set, and despite a wobble of being 4-1 down in the second, they recovered to win 7-5 for Writhlington. A close 6-4 defeat for Writhlington, but a thoroughly deserved win for Lansdown, who were more clinical.

CLIFTON 4ths 10 WRITHLINGTON 2nds 10

Graham Steer and Andy Jeffery quickly went 5-0 down in an error-strewn opening set against Phil and Kev, but then learnt “focus” and “concentrate”.

They had half-a-dozen game points to go 5-4 up in the second set, before losing 6-1, 6-4. Similarly, against Nick and Tom, it was a slow start, but a very effective comeback saw the Writhlington pair 8-4 up in the “final set” champ tiebreak, and then a match point, but threw it away with a 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 loss! Hugely disappointing.

Young Sam Perryman stepped into the shoes of Sam Thomson, and became the youngest-ever League player for Writhlington, at fourteen years and nineteen days! I suspect this record will take a long time to beat, especially in playing for the Seconds! He and his partner, Steve Lawrence, took Nick and Tom to three sets, but the Clifton pair’s experience shone through with a 6-2 final set.

Against Phil and Kev, Sam and Steve were 5-2 and 40-15 up in the second set (having lost the first), but unfortunately, could not get over the line and lost it 7-5. This seems to be a recurring theme with the Seconds this season!

Huge credit goes to new-pairing Sam and Steve, who won more games than their more experienced teammates, Graham and Andy! Young Sam will surely be a force to be reckoned with!

WRITHLINGTON LADIES 1sts 0 REDLAND 10

The Ladies Firsts travelled to Redland Green to play on their fast astro courts. Mammoth rallies ensued, with excellent tennis played, finishing just before the lights’ timer ended.

Sarah and Alex teamed up for their first match in a while and played Sofia and Amy. They certainly knew how to make the most of their fast, spinny courts, using wide serves and fast pace. Alex played superbly and really disrupted their game with low, deep, fast-paced balls that they struggled to return.

Unfortunately, Sarah’s serve was problematic, and although almost all games went to deuce, we lost the rubber 6-3, 6-1.

The Second rubber versus Kirstie and Viv was a completely different game – very experienced players with less pace but more precision. We had a celebration for the one game we managed to win after umpteen deuces, but we lost overall 6-0, 6-1. Which allowed us to watch the epic match going on for our A pairing. Mandy and Ces played Kirstie and Viv, where a long match with amazing shots ensued. Great angles and pace pushed our opposition, but frequent mistakes allowed them back into the game. We eventually lost 6-3, 7-5.

The second match against Sofia and Amy should have been more straightforward, but their B pairing seemed to up their pace and range of game and so started an epic match, with long rallies and serious pace. It was a great match to watch ,with big shots. Unfortunately, more errors crept into our pairing’s game, and although they had a set point, they failed to convert and lost it 7-6.

The second set was more straightforward (and included an impressive forward roll dive by Mandy in an attempt to reach a drop-shot). Mandy and Ces won it 6-3. Twenty minutes until lights-out forced a championship tiebreak, and tension was high with seemingly the whole club watching from their clubhouse. Unfortunately, the home team made less mistakes and took the tiebreak with less than five minutes to spare on the lights.

WRITHLINGTON LADIES 3rds 2 CENTRAL 4ths 8

The Ladies Thirds travelled to Canford Park to play Central Fourths.

Three close rubbers that went to Championship tie-breaks meant the score of 8-2 to Writhlington was very flattering. The fourth rubber, with Ellie and Mandy, was a double doughnut – 6-0, 6-0.

Mandy and Ellie took on the A pair of Helen and American Karen. The first set was close, but they lost 6-4, then won the second 6-3. So, to championship tie-break, it was neck-and-neck to the last two points, but eventually they lost, 10-6. Marie and Tracey, meanwhile, had a similar situation, winning the first set easily but losing the second. We pulled ourselves together and won the nervy tie break, 13-11.

The second rubber was much more straightforward for Mandy and Ellie with a double doughnut. Ellie’s serve was firing on all cylinders, setting up to put the smashes away.

Marie and Tracey were determined to stay until dark! They lost first set 6-4, but won the second to 0. So, both ended with a championship tie-break! We come through though, and won 10-7.