The outwardly good results for Writhlington this week mask the fact that the wins were all against lowly opposition. Whilst the wins are welcome, and help to consolidate our position, the real test will come over the next (and last!) two weeks of the season, when we play teams at or near the top of the Divisions. Promotion issues will be decided in these matches.

The Mixed Firsts loss was against an equal (Knowle) in the Division, and with a bit of luck, we could have sneaked a win.

Men’s Seniors

Writhlington 8 – 2 Kings 2

Having defeated Kings 8–2 at their place earlier in the season, and this time, fielding a very strong team of Simon Brand, Chris Cox, Pete Goldsmith and Andy Jeffery, hopes were high of a 10–0 win. After all, we are in the promotion zone, and Kings are in the relegation zone.

Pete and Andy played the B pair of Chris and Jeremy, and very few errors, combined with some excellent shots from both players, gave an easy win for Writhlington 6-1, 6-1.

Simon and Chris had a frustrating time against Derek and Alistair, because the Kings pair were glacially slow between points, but ran out comfortable winners 6-1, 6-3.

In the second rubbers, Simon and Chris made short work of Chris and Jeremy for a 6-0, 6-1 win.

Andy and Pete then decided they had used up their daily allocation of good shots and lack of errors in the previous rubber, and proceeded to say: “Here you go, we’ll let you beat us,” to Derek and Alistair. Pete also had to have a break half-way through the first set for feeling light-headed. Whilst each set was very close, Pete and Andy were always behind, and could never convince themselves that they could win, resulting in a 4-6, 6-7 loss.

With a large number of results still not on the website, it is difficult to know precisely what result we need at Downend next Friday to secure promotion or to be champions. However, it will be a top-of-the-table clash!

Report by Andy Jeffery

Next match Friday, 30th September at Downend BS16 1QQ (note change of postcode): Derek Beg, Mark Finch, Chris Cox and Andy Jeffery.

Ladies Seniors

Kings 2 – 8 Writhlington

Sarah Dawe and Pauline Medhurst teamed up against Hetty and Caroline for a windy match that felt like you were serving through water. We quickly took the first set 6–0 and were 5–0 up in the second when concentration wavered and we lost a few games but finished it 6–3.

They then played Sue and the rather exuberant Kath, who shrieked and shouted her way through the match. She was also fond of slamming volleys and smashes at the opposing net player which was nice! We took the first set 6–3, but then let them play their game and we lost the second 3–6, opting to play a third as we both thought we could and should win, and easily breezed the final set 6–1.

Louise Derrick and Janie Bullus played Kath and Sue and found the outburst slightly off-putting, they easily took the first set, 6–3, but again wavered in the second and lost 6–3 and elected to play a championship tie break as the other court had finished, but they lost 10–8.

The second rubber against Hetty and Caroline was straightforward and didn’t pose too many problems and they won 6–0, 6–2. Report by Sarah Dawe.

Next match: Friday, 30th September, home to Knowle.

Tracey Stephens (c), Marie Craig, Tina Lindley, Beverleigh Roberts.

Mixed Tennis

Knowle 8 – 2 Writhlington 1sts

Mandy Baldwin and Patrick Lodge teamed up to play against Jack and Bridget, from Knowle. In bizarre lighting, the Writhlington pair found it difficult to begin with and failed to time many of their shots, 6-3 to Knowle. In a topsy turvy second set where no one could hold serve a tiebreaker at 6–6 to decide the set was won by Knowle, 7–5. An unusual performance but Jack and Bridget fully deserved their win for some brilliant play at the net.

On to the second match against Celia and Adam. At 6–2 and 3–1 down, Mandy turns to Pat and says: "I really don’t want to play anymore!" This was only in frustration, luckily, as Mandy found some delightful form and won the set, 6–3. At 5–3 down, a comeback was made in some style to win 7–5 in the third set. Good tennis, even if there were a few questionable calls from the opposition. Report by Patrick Lodge.

Alex Hull and Oli Leatham (who had literally JUST landed and rushed from the airport, skipping the warm-up and going straight in!) had a tough first set against Knowle’s second pairing. Missing on countless occasions and making too many unforced errors led us to quickly losing the first set, 6–1. Celia and Adam were both very steady players, however, with some well-thought out tactical advice from Oli, we quickly found ourselves being more aggressive and winning more points. Unfortunately, it was not enough to win the second set, after a good comeback, we lost 7–5.

Feeling a lot more prepared and ready after having such a good comeback in the second set of the previous match, we went into this match against Jack and Bridget with high spirits. Although we lost the first set, 6–3, we were playing a lot better, but again making some errors at the net and failing to hold serve. The second set was a lot better as we had nothing to lose (literally). With some great serving from Oli and some good returns from Alex, we somehow made a comeback from being 5–0 down, but unfortunately the pair were just too solid – second set 7–5 to Knowle. Report by Alex Hull.

Next match: Friday, 30th Sep at home versus Bristol Lawn 1

Patrick Lodge, Mandy Baldwin, Sarah Dawe, Oli Leatham.

Writhlington 2nds 10 – 0 Sodbury

Alex Hull and Callum Nowell were the first pairing and played a father/daughter duo (the daughter of which was just 12 years old). With a few too many mistakes we won the first set 7–5, however, being a little closer than we had imagined. The second set was much more straightforward. We decided to have no mercy and with some great serving and consistency, we won the second set, 6–2.

The second match went rather smoothly. Winning the first set 6–2 and the second, 6–1. Callum and I were playing a lot better, keeping consistent and holding our serve. Sodbury’s second pair sliced a lot and liked to drop shot. But this was not too much of a problem, as they lacked consistency. With some great volleying from Callum and ground stroke rallies from Alex, it was a very enjoyable match. Report by Alex Hull.

The ’B’ pairing of Janie Bullus and Bryn Jones played a delightful match against Pete and Jan from Sodbury. Good competitive tennis, with varying tactics from both sides being deployed as the match progressed. Writhlington won the first set, 6–4, with many games going to deuce and both sides hitting winners. Overall, Writhlington made fewer mistakes and perhaps capitalised on targeting the weaker player on the Sodbury side. The opposition pace dropped in the second set, Writhlington making more of the opportunities to hit winners at the net. Final score: 6-4, 6-2.

In the second rubber the opposition fielded a father and daughter combination. The first set went to Writhlington, 6–2. The second set was more of a contest, Anthony was beginning to play well, covering the court well, but also returning back well to force errors from Bryn and Janie. The problem for Writhlington was the young Katie was starting to find her feet, doing some great ground strokes and volleying at the net. Katie won her serve at 5–4 down and then assisted to give Sodbury a 6–5 lead with Anthony to serve next. Great play from Janie and Bryn to force a tie break and then to finish the set and rubber, 7–2. Final score 6–4, 7–6 to Writhlington. Report by Bryn Jones.

Next match: Saturday, 1st October, 1 pm at Bristol Lawn BS6 7HF

Andy Jeffery, Sarah Alexander, Mark Finch, Alex Hull.