THORNBURY 1STS 10 WRITHLINGTON 1STS 0,

LANSDOWN 2NDS 10 WRITHLINGTON 2NDS 0,

DL WESTBURY 5THS 5 WRITHLINGTON 5THS 5

This was the first week of the season when all Men’s Captains have been (reasonably) fit and able to play for ‘their’ team, but only Dean Taylor seemed to make a discernible difference (for the Fifths). It was a disastrous week for the Men, with a 39–11 point disadvantage. Even the Ladies suffered two defeats, which is highly unusual this season!

With Writhlington sitting at the top of the table and Thornbury third – only four points behind – this is a clash that is likely to decide who gains promotion this year. The team of Chris Cox, Patrick Lodge, Darren Thompson and Jon Doel (in for Oli Leatham) and Skipper, Pat.

Pat and Chris never found any serious consistency, losing 6–4, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2. Jon and Darren were playing well again in parts and lost out to Josh and Wayne 6–1, 6–2 and then 6–1, 6–4. Many thanks to Jon, Chris and Darren, who all stepped up into the First team with no problems at all – it was a shame it was against a very solid team!

Despite being just below Lansdown in the Division, Writhlington were a whopping ten points behind, with Sodbury and Lansdown being the clear odds-on favourites for promotion. Add to this the distinct home advantage of Lansdown’s clay surface, which Writhlington have never experienced, and anything other than a 10–0 defeat would see Writhlington’s Andy Jeffery, Graham Steer, Adam Day and Richard Chapman celebrating and high-fiving.

The Lansdown team were all regular Division Two and Three players in previous seasons, and their class really showed. Andy Jeffery also played some of his worst tennis this season, which meant a 6–2, 6–3 loss for Graham and Andy against Martin/Shaun, and 6–0, 6–2 versus James/Adam. Richard and Adam had similar scorelines, 6–1, 6–2 and 6–1, 6–2.

However, when Lansdown come to Writhlington, they will be without Shaun (their best player and coach) and their beloved clay courts, so it might be a different story!

The mighty Fifths were away at DL Westbury – always a tough fixture. However, Shaafiek ‘super baseline’ Christian, George ‘penned in at the net’ Penna, Super Bob ‘the lob’ Sonderman and Dean ‘Dean’s Ball’ Taylor were up for it! The weather was great as we prepared for the battle of countrymen versus city boys.

Shaafiek and George won the first rubber against Terry and Dennis, 6–2, 6–4. Some great net play and court movement by George, and baseline backhands from Shaafiek, made for a comfortable win. Meanwhile, Bob and Dean took on Ramesh and Dave. After racing into a 4–2 lead, Bob and Dean were inconsistent, losing 5–7 in the first set and 3–6 in the second.

Sensing a team victory, Shaafiek and George brushed away Ram and Dave, 6–0, 6–1, leaving Bob and Dean needing to win a game to gain a 6–4 team win. No matter how hard they tried, they lost points at crucial times, losing 6–0, 6–0, a draw with 32 games apiece. Disappointing, but a draw away to DL Westbury is a good result.

Andy Jeffery,Patrick Lodge and Dean Taylor