British Handicap 2015 Report and Photos
BRITISH LADIES’ HANDICAP SINGLES AND DOUBLES TOURNAMENTS
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2015
held at
Leamington Tennis Court Club and Moreton Morrell Tennis Club
Supported by an Anonymous Donor
held at
Leamington Tennis Court Club and Moreton Morrell Tennis Club
Supported by an Anonymous Donor
Click here for British Handicap 2015 Results
Ben Matthews with Div 1 Singles winner
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Div 2 Singles winner - Evelyn Fleming with Ben Matthews
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Evelyn Fleming and Izzy Candy - Div 1 Doubles winners
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Div 2 Doubles winners with Ben Matthews
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Clare Bucknell and Audrey Davies
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Katie Leppard
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Maggie Henderson-Tew
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Rachel Heslop
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Sophie Dannreuther
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Kevin Sheldon
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Many thanks to Linda Fairbrother for the photos
Ben Matthews and Linda Fairbrother
A bumper entry for the Ladies Handicap, 33 players, and a set of bumper matches too. It was generally agreed that the quality of play was the best seen for a long time, helped along by the proportion of younger entrants. Perhaps the extra energy levels pushed the more experienced players way beyond their normal levels and having to utilise all their experience and cunning to keep up. Certainly, there were numerous close and exciting games to keep the dedans more than interested.
Division 1 (- 55.9) Singles at Leamington
Fifteen players took part in four Round Robin groups, playing to best of six games (starting at one all), with the lowest handicap at 44.1 and the highest at 56.4.
The tightest group was Group A, three seasoned players playing to best of 8. The first two matches were both won 8/6, with the potential nightmare looming that the final match, if won by a similar score, would leave all three players with exactly the same result. In the end, Lucy Hutchinson squeezed past Pam Tomlinson 8/5, leaving Pam in the cold. This was especially galling for Pam, however, as she had been 7/3 up against Gabrielle, but double-faulted on match point; Pam went on to win the match, but the extra three games that Gabrielle had added to her score were enough, by one game, to beat Pam into the knock-out round.
In Group C, the standout match was between Georgie Willis and Izzy Candy. Georgie gave an indication of things to come by standing steady at 5/5, when Izzy started the final game with a Winning Gallery shot, and was 30/0 ahead. Georgie fought back, attacked two match points, and finally took the match.
The third match in this Group, between Fiona Harrison and Georgie, produced the freak shot of the tournament – Fiona attacking Chase Better than a Yard hoiked the ball high onto the main penthouse, where it then bounced off the high wall to fall under the dedans, and after two bounces landed at Half a Yard to win the chase – and that game. Fiona made the most of her handicap points and freaked out both Georgie and Izzy by running down and getting back shots which they felt (quite rightly) she had no business getting anywhere near.
In Groups B and D, the results were more clear-cut. Despite excellent matches all round, Sophie Dannreuther pulled ahead of her rivals to win both her matches with Katie Leppard taking the runner-up spot. Linda Fairbrother in Group D played three error-free matches to come through comfortably with two wins and a near-miss, leaving Izzy Hunt and Liz Leach to battle it out in the final match of the group for Runner-up. It was a close-run thing until at 5 all, 40/30 to Liz, Izzy had to win Chase 3 and 4. Alas, under pressure she put the service return in the net, so Liz scraped through.
In the first quarter final, Lucy Hutchinson met Liz Leach. Both were hitting steadily with just the occasional high lift, and picking up low shots consistently, so that those in the dedans murmured ‘Good shot’ or ‘Yes!’, only to see an excellent shot picked up and returned much to their surprise. Lucy nosed ahead to 4/3, and then was returning serve with Hazard better than 2 as the chase. She went all out for the dedans, which was rewarded not by getting it into the net but by a strike on the bandeau, so that the ball jumped deep down the court. 5/3, and though Liz continued to battle, Lucy kept her cool and won the match 6/3.
Georgie Willis had a walk over against Sophie Dannreuther in the next quarter final; in the third, Katie Leppard met Fiona Harrison, who had been playing faultless tennis up to this point. Perhaps that was why Katie came out firing, winning the first five points straight off. But Fiona settled in, and was successfully volleying Katie’s feared railroad to keep the score at 2 all. Katie then upped her power, drawing more errors from Fiona’s returns, and drawing ahead 4/2. Even the marker was impressed, dubbing her (sotto voce) as ‘The Clobber’, as she thumped another shot off the back wall to end up mid-court. But Fiona kept going, varying pace and angle, and Katie had to play her best to eventually win 6/3.
The final quarter was between Linda Fairbrother and Gabrielle Smart. It started off very equal, with both hitting well and steadily to 2 all. Then Linda found her underarm twist serve (she won one game with unreturned serves alone), while Gabrielle’s serve just wasn’t biting. Linda went on to win 6/2.
The first semi final was between Lucy and Georgie. Lucy gave Georgie some big surprises by getting back excellent shots on the run, and chasing them down into the corners. She also kept the ball low, not giving Georgie enough opportunities to deliver any shoulder-high power drives. The score was 4/2 to Lucy. At this point, however, Georgie began to find her range, aiming for the tambour and grille, until at 5/3 to Lucy, Georgie was 40/0 ahead and with great confidence, smacked it into the dedans – 4/5. In the next game, at 40 all, Lucy just lost the game point with a wall shot from Georgie that just slipped into the net – 5 all. The last game again went to 40 all, which was only fitting for such a great contest. Lucy was defending a Better than Last Gallery chase; Georgie’s return crept down the side wall, Lucy took too hasty a swipe at it, missed it, giving Georgie the match 6/5.
The second semi-final was another tussle, between Katie Leppard and Linda Fairbrother. Katie was comfortably on top in the first two games, serving well with Linda not able to do her favourite return of serve into the forehand corner. Then Katie’s railroads went slightly off the boil, Linda anticipated the bounce better, and her own serve improved. With many good rests, the score got to 5/4 to Katie, when in the next game at 30 all, Linda returned serve to attack Chase Better than a Yard by going all out for the dedans. The ball went onto the penthouse, and Katie not surprisingly believed the game was in the bag; but the ball fell close to the wall and spun backwards to beat the chase. Linda capitalised on her opponent’s discombobulation by putting on the pressure, getting to 5 all, 40 all, and then winning with a final serve which Katie put in the net.
In the final, Georgie took on Linda, who tried to intimidate her tall opponent by standing on tip-toe for the photo at the net (much to the derision of the dedans). It seemed to have worked at first: Linda got off to a great start, going up 3/1, using short shots to mid-court and ground strokes up the sides to take Georgie by surprise. Then Georgie began to pile on her power, and Linda’s underarm twist stopped doing the business. Georgie now made very few errors and began to stack up the games. A rattled Linda was trying too hard to make winners and as a result made more unforced errors in this match than she had in the whole tournament up to that point. While Georgie had none of the lapses in concentration that had marred her previous matches, and stayed steady as a rock, to win the match in fine form, 6/3.
Division 1 (- 55.9) Singles at Leamington
Fifteen players took part in four Round Robin groups, playing to best of six games (starting at one all), with the lowest handicap at 44.1 and the highest at 56.4.
The tightest group was Group A, three seasoned players playing to best of 8. The first two matches were both won 8/6, with the potential nightmare looming that the final match, if won by a similar score, would leave all three players with exactly the same result. In the end, Lucy Hutchinson squeezed past Pam Tomlinson 8/5, leaving Pam in the cold. This was especially galling for Pam, however, as she had been 7/3 up against Gabrielle, but double-faulted on match point; Pam went on to win the match, but the extra three games that Gabrielle had added to her score were enough, by one game, to beat Pam into the knock-out round.
In Group C, the standout match was between Georgie Willis and Izzy Candy. Georgie gave an indication of things to come by standing steady at 5/5, when Izzy started the final game with a Winning Gallery shot, and was 30/0 ahead. Georgie fought back, attacked two match points, and finally took the match.
The third match in this Group, between Fiona Harrison and Georgie, produced the freak shot of the tournament – Fiona attacking Chase Better than a Yard hoiked the ball high onto the main penthouse, where it then bounced off the high wall to fall under the dedans, and after two bounces landed at Half a Yard to win the chase – and that game. Fiona made the most of her handicap points and freaked out both Georgie and Izzy by running down and getting back shots which they felt (quite rightly) she had no business getting anywhere near.
In Groups B and D, the results were more clear-cut. Despite excellent matches all round, Sophie Dannreuther pulled ahead of her rivals to win both her matches with Katie Leppard taking the runner-up spot. Linda Fairbrother in Group D played three error-free matches to come through comfortably with two wins and a near-miss, leaving Izzy Hunt and Liz Leach to battle it out in the final match of the group for Runner-up. It was a close-run thing until at 5 all, 40/30 to Liz, Izzy had to win Chase 3 and 4. Alas, under pressure she put the service return in the net, so Liz scraped through.
In the first quarter final, Lucy Hutchinson met Liz Leach. Both were hitting steadily with just the occasional high lift, and picking up low shots consistently, so that those in the dedans murmured ‘Good shot’ or ‘Yes!’, only to see an excellent shot picked up and returned much to their surprise. Lucy nosed ahead to 4/3, and then was returning serve with Hazard better than 2 as the chase. She went all out for the dedans, which was rewarded not by getting it into the net but by a strike on the bandeau, so that the ball jumped deep down the court. 5/3, and though Liz continued to battle, Lucy kept her cool and won the match 6/3.
Georgie Willis had a walk over against Sophie Dannreuther in the next quarter final; in the third, Katie Leppard met Fiona Harrison, who had been playing faultless tennis up to this point. Perhaps that was why Katie came out firing, winning the first five points straight off. But Fiona settled in, and was successfully volleying Katie’s feared railroad to keep the score at 2 all. Katie then upped her power, drawing more errors from Fiona’s returns, and drawing ahead 4/2. Even the marker was impressed, dubbing her (sotto voce) as ‘The Clobber’, as she thumped another shot off the back wall to end up mid-court. But Fiona kept going, varying pace and angle, and Katie had to play her best to eventually win 6/3.
The final quarter was between Linda Fairbrother and Gabrielle Smart. It started off very equal, with both hitting well and steadily to 2 all. Then Linda found her underarm twist serve (she won one game with unreturned serves alone), while Gabrielle’s serve just wasn’t biting. Linda went on to win 6/2.
The first semi final was between Lucy and Georgie. Lucy gave Georgie some big surprises by getting back excellent shots on the run, and chasing them down into the corners. She also kept the ball low, not giving Georgie enough opportunities to deliver any shoulder-high power drives. The score was 4/2 to Lucy. At this point, however, Georgie began to find her range, aiming for the tambour and grille, until at 5/3 to Lucy, Georgie was 40/0 ahead and with great confidence, smacked it into the dedans – 4/5. In the next game, at 40 all, Lucy just lost the game point with a wall shot from Georgie that just slipped into the net – 5 all. The last game again went to 40 all, which was only fitting for such a great contest. Lucy was defending a Better than Last Gallery chase; Georgie’s return crept down the side wall, Lucy took too hasty a swipe at it, missed it, giving Georgie the match 6/5.
The second semi-final was another tussle, between Katie Leppard and Linda Fairbrother. Katie was comfortably on top in the first two games, serving well with Linda not able to do her favourite return of serve into the forehand corner. Then Katie’s railroads went slightly off the boil, Linda anticipated the bounce better, and her own serve improved. With many good rests, the score got to 5/4 to Katie, when in the next game at 30 all, Linda returned serve to attack Chase Better than a Yard by going all out for the dedans. The ball went onto the penthouse, and Katie not surprisingly believed the game was in the bag; but the ball fell close to the wall and spun backwards to beat the chase. Linda capitalised on her opponent’s discombobulation by putting on the pressure, getting to 5 all, 40 all, and then winning with a final serve which Katie put in the net.
In the final, Georgie took on Linda, who tried to intimidate her tall opponent by standing on tip-toe for the photo at the net (much to the derision of the dedans). It seemed to have worked at first: Linda got off to a great start, going up 3/1, using short shots to mid-court and ground strokes up the sides to take Georgie by surprise. Then Georgie began to pile on her power, and Linda’s underarm twist stopped doing the business. Georgie now made very few errors and began to stack up the games. A rattled Linda was trying too hard to make winners and as a result made more unforced errors in this match than she had in the whole tournament up to that point. While Georgie had none of the lapses in concentration that had marred her previous matches, and stayed steady as a rock, to win the match in fine form, 6/3.
Division 1 Doubles (Joint Handicap -55.9)
Ten pairs took part in the Doubles, with two initial matches, leaving eight pairs for the quarter finals on Saturday afternoon.
Rebecca Kashti and Sarah Brownlee played a careful cunning game in the first quarter final, not giving much to Clare Bucknell and Audrey Davies, who made too many errors trying to generate power off slowish shots. Rebecca and Sarah won comfortably 6/2.
The young Willis sisters took on the two Lucys in the next match. “Well done, Grandma!” resounded from the dedans. This was not an ageist insult, as the caller was genuinely applauding her Grandma’s efforts – the young Audrey Davies supporting (slightly older) Lucy Davies. Alas, to no avail, despite some cunning tactics from Grandma, such as lobbing over Anna’s head and volleying some vicious angles. Anna and Georgie used their strength at the right moments, and the score was 5/3, when a short shot by Georgie from the service end at a Hazard chase won them the point and the match 6/3.
In the third quarter final, a close match was played between Maggie Henderson-Tew and Liz Leach against Izzie Candy and Evie Fleming. Maggie and Liz had a hard time trying to get past Evie at the net, who was impossibly accurate with her volleys, while Izzy specialised in fierce drives to the tambour. Izzy and Evie romped ahead to 5/1, without any obvious weakness to attack. But Maggie and Liz fought hard, and in the end only just lost, 6/5.
In the fourth quarter final, Izzy Hunt and Sophie Dannreuther took on Gabrielle Smart and Linda Fairbrother. Despite have a 6 point handicap in their favour, Gabrielle and Linda had a hard time getting the ball past their opponents. Izzy and Sophie were both serving well with twisty high serves down the back wall, or spins off the penthouse, not allowing their opponents to hit good service returns to put on any pressure. And any loose balls were punished immediately. 6/3 to Izzy and Sophie.
The two semis were rather one-sided affairs. Izzy Candy and Evie were too strong against Rebecca and Sarah, who couldn’t counter the power and accuracy thrown at them from the other side of the net. Izzy and Evie went through 6/1. The second semi was Izzy Hunt and Sophie against the Willis sisters. Sophie showed her mettle from the start, with two immediate returns of serve that were low, flat and laid excellent chases.
However, Georgie and Anna were not dismayed and kept their cool. Throughout the match, they were very in sync and had excellent tactics (e.g. Anna would tell Georgie whether Sophie/Izzy was back guarding the grille or up guarding the tambour, so she’d know where to place her shot). Sophie and Izzy volleyed and retrieved very well as always, but the sisters had a decent handicap advantage on their side and Georgie’s firepower in particular was excellent. The final score was 6-2 to Georgie and Anna.
The Final of the Doubles saw Georgie and Anna Willis take on Izzy Candy and Evie Fleming. The game was enlivened by Big Sister Georgie ticking off Little Sister Anna whenever she ignored ‘advice’. “Don’t touch it!” shouted Georgie, as a ball sailed towards Anna that was going to lose the chase by a mile. At which point, Anna immediately made a swipe at it – which luckily she missed, as Georgie’s face threatened torments that only a sister could deliver. All very entertaining, but the two sisters had great difficulty getting past the efficient play of Izzy and Evie. The score crept up 4/2, 5/2 to Izzy ad Evie, who were all smiles at each other, contrasting with the increasingly flurried play of their opponents, who never gave up but couldn’t find their touch. Izzy Candy and Evie Fleming won the match comfortably 6/2.
Linda Fairbrother
Ten pairs took part in the Doubles, with two initial matches, leaving eight pairs for the quarter finals on Saturday afternoon.
Rebecca Kashti and Sarah Brownlee played a careful cunning game in the first quarter final, not giving much to Clare Bucknell and Audrey Davies, who made too many errors trying to generate power off slowish shots. Rebecca and Sarah won comfortably 6/2.
The young Willis sisters took on the two Lucys in the next match. “Well done, Grandma!” resounded from the dedans. This was not an ageist insult, as the caller was genuinely applauding her Grandma’s efforts – the young Audrey Davies supporting (slightly older) Lucy Davies. Alas, to no avail, despite some cunning tactics from Grandma, such as lobbing over Anna’s head and volleying some vicious angles. Anna and Georgie used their strength at the right moments, and the score was 5/3, when a short shot by Georgie from the service end at a Hazard chase won them the point and the match 6/3.
In the third quarter final, a close match was played between Maggie Henderson-Tew and Liz Leach against Izzie Candy and Evie Fleming. Maggie and Liz had a hard time trying to get past Evie at the net, who was impossibly accurate with her volleys, while Izzy specialised in fierce drives to the tambour. Izzy and Evie romped ahead to 5/1, without any obvious weakness to attack. But Maggie and Liz fought hard, and in the end only just lost, 6/5.
In the fourth quarter final, Izzy Hunt and Sophie Dannreuther took on Gabrielle Smart and Linda Fairbrother. Despite have a 6 point handicap in their favour, Gabrielle and Linda had a hard time getting the ball past their opponents. Izzy and Sophie were both serving well with twisty high serves down the back wall, or spins off the penthouse, not allowing their opponents to hit good service returns to put on any pressure. And any loose balls were punished immediately. 6/3 to Izzy and Sophie.
The two semis were rather one-sided affairs. Izzy Candy and Evie were too strong against Rebecca and Sarah, who couldn’t counter the power and accuracy thrown at them from the other side of the net. Izzy and Evie went through 6/1. The second semi was Izzy Hunt and Sophie against the Willis sisters. Sophie showed her mettle from the start, with two immediate returns of serve that were low, flat and laid excellent chases.
However, Georgie and Anna were not dismayed and kept their cool. Throughout the match, they were very in sync and had excellent tactics (e.g. Anna would tell Georgie whether Sophie/Izzy was back guarding the grille or up guarding the tambour, so she’d know where to place her shot). Sophie and Izzy volleyed and retrieved very well as always, but the sisters had a decent handicap advantage on their side and Georgie’s firepower in particular was excellent. The final score was 6-2 to Georgie and Anna.
The Final of the Doubles saw Georgie and Anna Willis take on Izzy Candy and Evie Fleming. The game was enlivened by Big Sister Georgie ticking off Little Sister Anna whenever she ignored ‘advice’. “Don’t touch it!” shouted Georgie, as a ball sailed towards Anna that was going to lose the chase by a mile. At which point, Anna immediately made a swipe at it – which luckily she missed, as Georgie’s face threatened torments that only a sister could deliver. All very entertaining, but the two sisters had great difficulty getting past the efficient play of Izzy and Evie. The score crept up 4/2, 5/2 to Izzy ad Evie, who were all smiles at each other, contrasting with the increasingly flurried play of their opponents, who never gave up but couldn’t find their touch. Izzy Candy and Evie Fleming won the match comfortably 6/2.
Linda Fairbrother
Division 2 Singles (56.0+)
Division 2 matches were held at Moreton Morrell, apart from Sunday lunchtime, when everyone converged on Leamington to enjoy the various Finals of both Divisions, and the prize giving. Eighteen contestants were grouped into five Round Robins, with three groups of four players, and two of three, and handicaps capped to 70. The first two groups, Group E and F, four players in each, went on court on Friday afternoon. Annabel Wyatt sailed through the first group with her usual powerful strokes and serve, only losing one match by one game to Katy Weston. Liz Fisher despite playing off a capped handicap played very steadily and won two of her matches. Carolyn Armstrong-Smith with the best handicap in the Division 2 Singles did valiantly and played with her usual elegant style but had to give a lot of points and just got pipped to the post in a number of games. In Group F, Elaine Wright cruised through to win the group. Her excellent volleying stood her in good stead. Evelyn Fleming from Oxford played a steady game gaining in confidence with every stroke but Elaine proved just too strong for her so she came in second. The first on court on the Saturday morning was Group G with three players. Here Anna Willis played a strong and confident game – she has improved hugely since she was here on court last year. Katy Doy, a young and relative newcomer to the game, played well and despite the capping of her high handicap did well. In the next group on court, Rachel Heslop gave a strong performance winning two of her matches and only losing by one game in her match with Eve Shenkman. Rachel arrived at Moreton Morrell on the pillion of a motorbike in her leathers and played a stylish and determined game to win the group. Charlotte Barker played her usual steady game and came through as number two in the group. In the final small group of three, Felicity Sargent showed how much she has improved her game and won both her matches; Caroline Dixon, a good left hander, played a steady game but couldn’t outwit her younger opponent.
In the knock-out stage we saw some good games. Rachel Heslop saw off Katy Weston and then Katy Doy before reaching the semi finals. Katy Doy in particular played an extremely good game and had some quite remarkable shots for her (capped) handicap and only lost to Rachel by one game. The two young players, Evie Fleming and Felicity Sargent had a good game but Evie just proved too strong for Felicity. And then Evelyn went on to win against Rachel comfortably (was Rachel flagging after all the card play the previous evening!?) Anna Willis continued to play a consistent and steady game and only dropped five games before reaching the semi finals against Elaine Wright. She defeated Elaine to win through to the Finals against Evie Fleming in the other half of the draw.
The Division 2 Final was between young Anna Willis and only a bit older Evelyn Fleming. Despite a supposed handicap difference of 11 handicap points between them, the two appeared evenly matched in talent with both able to hit hard and low when necessary. The difference seemed more one of attitude, with Anna (with the higher handicap) emanating death-rays of negativity at times – not against her opponent but against herself, and as a result did her game no favours. Even so, it was a good match, but Evelyn was more consistent and more efficient at finishing off the restes. And by 4/2 to Evelyn, Anna’s muttering must have given her opponent plenty of confidence in going for her shots. Once Anna started rushing her serves, it was basically all over, though there was still plenty of great play to watch. But Evelyn had it in the bag, and with a final shot to the Grille, won 6/3.
Katy Weston
Division 2 matches were held at Moreton Morrell, apart from Sunday lunchtime, when everyone converged on Leamington to enjoy the various Finals of both Divisions, and the prize giving. Eighteen contestants were grouped into five Round Robins, with three groups of four players, and two of three, and handicaps capped to 70. The first two groups, Group E and F, four players in each, went on court on Friday afternoon. Annabel Wyatt sailed through the first group with her usual powerful strokes and serve, only losing one match by one game to Katy Weston. Liz Fisher despite playing off a capped handicap played very steadily and won two of her matches. Carolyn Armstrong-Smith with the best handicap in the Division 2 Singles did valiantly and played with her usual elegant style but had to give a lot of points and just got pipped to the post in a number of games. In Group F, Elaine Wright cruised through to win the group. Her excellent volleying stood her in good stead. Evelyn Fleming from Oxford played a steady game gaining in confidence with every stroke but Elaine proved just too strong for her so she came in second. The first on court on the Saturday morning was Group G with three players. Here Anna Willis played a strong and confident game – she has improved hugely since she was here on court last year. Katy Doy, a young and relative newcomer to the game, played well and despite the capping of her high handicap did well. In the next group on court, Rachel Heslop gave a strong performance winning two of her matches and only losing by one game in her match with Eve Shenkman. Rachel arrived at Moreton Morrell on the pillion of a motorbike in her leathers and played a stylish and determined game to win the group. Charlotte Barker played her usual steady game and came through as number two in the group. In the final small group of three, Felicity Sargent showed how much she has improved her game and won both her matches; Caroline Dixon, a good left hander, played a steady game but couldn’t outwit her younger opponent.
In the knock-out stage we saw some good games. Rachel Heslop saw off Katy Weston and then Katy Doy before reaching the semi finals. Katy Doy in particular played an extremely good game and had some quite remarkable shots for her (capped) handicap and only lost to Rachel by one game. The two young players, Evie Fleming and Felicity Sargent had a good game but Evie just proved too strong for Felicity. And then Evelyn went on to win against Rachel comfortably (was Rachel flagging after all the card play the previous evening!?) Anna Willis continued to play a consistent and steady game and only dropped five games before reaching the semi finals against Elaine Wright. She defeated Elaine to win through to the Finals against Evie Fleming in the other half of the draw.
The Division 2 Final was between young Anna Willis and only a bit older Evelyn Fleming. Despite a supposed handicap difference of 11 handicap points between them, the two appeared evenly matched in talent with both able to hit hard and low when necessary. The difference seemed more one of attitude, with Anna (with the higher handicap) emanating death-rays of negativity at times – not against her opponent but against herself, and as a result did her game no favours. Even so, it was a good match, but Evelyn was more consistent and more efficient at finishing off the restes. And by 4/2 to Evelyn, Anna’s muttering must have given her opponent plenty of confidence in going for her shots. Once Anna started rushing her serves, it was basically all over, though there was still plenty of great play to watch. But Evelyn had it in the bag, and with a final shot to the Grille, won 6/3.
Katy Weston
Elaine Wright, Annabel Wyatt, Ben Matthews
Division 2 (56+) Doubles
Division 2 Doubles got off to a frisky start with the opening match between Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Pam Tomalin taking on Liz Fisher and Katy Doy with a mighty 21 handicap points difference. The former took the set but not without difficulty…
That practiced pair Elaine Wright and Annabel Wyatt brought the expected Prested flair to their match against Caroline Dixon and Julie Levy. Their power game was too much for the Leamington two, but it was a welcome return for Caroline, and Julie’s suppleness was much admired!
Geri Brooksbank and Katy Weston put up a tremendous fight against Trish Morris and Charlotte Barker and, thanks to some marvellously short chases and great serves, were victorious with a score of 6/5.
Felicity Sargent and Eve Shenkman had no difficulty in seeing off Carolyn and Pam with their consistent, accurate hard hitting.
Elaine and Annabel were ruthless in their match against Geri and Katy and reached the final with few problems.
The final match saw Felicity and Eve demonstrating that there is no substitute for youth and fitness. The dedans in Leamington longed for the match to get going but it never really took off and, as it was scheduled at the lunchtime slot of 1.00 pm, many potential spectators arrived a bit late to find it was all over.
Elaine and Annabel fought the good fight but there was no stopping the youngsters, who served very well and made hardly any errors. Felicity and Eve triumphed with a scoreline of 6/2.
Pam Tomalin
Division 2 Doubles got off to a frisky start with the opening match between Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Pam Tomalin taking on Liz Fisher and Katy Doy with a mighty 21 handicap points difference. The former took the set but not without difficulty…
That practiced pair Elaine Wright and Annabel Wyatt brought the expected Prested flair to their match against Caroline Dixon and Julie Levy. Their power game was too much for the Leamington two, but it was a welcome return for Caroline, and Julie’s suppleness was much admired!
Geri Brooksbank and Katy Weston put up a tremendous fight against Trish Morris and Charlotte Barker and, thanks to some marvellously short chases and great serves, were victorious with a score of 6/5.
Felicity Sargent and Eve Shenkman had no difficulty in seeing off Carolyn and Pam with their consistent, accurate hard hitting.
Elaine and Annabel were ruthless in their match against Geri and Katy and reached the final with few problems.
The final match saw Felicity and Eve demonstrating that there is no substitute for youth and fitness. The dedans in Leamington longed for the match to get going but it never really took off and, as it was scheduled at the lunchtime slot of 1.00 pm, many potential spectators arrived a bit late to find it was all over.
Elaine and Annabel fought the good fight but there was no stopping the youngsters, who served very well and made hardly any errors. Felicity and Eve triumphed with a scoreline of 6/2.
Pam Tomalin
Tom Granville and Nick Jury marked all the matches at Moreton Morell with good humour though the offer of bribes proved useless! Our thanks to them for their hard work, and to Andrew Hamilton and the Club for hosting Division 2.
Kevin Sheldon returned from the long grass to help Ben Matthews mark at Leamington – again our thanks to both of them for their accuracy and help. Ben also gave out the prizes, so he was a busy boy. Thanks also are due to Tom the Leamington Club Manager, and to the Chairman and Committee of the Club for hosting Division 1 and the Finals. On Saturday night, Charlotte provided one of the delicious suppers for which Leamington is famous.
Katy Weston did her usual excellent job of organising everything, with the help of Lucy Hutchinson.
And finally, enormous thanks to our ever-generous Anonymous Sponsor, without whom nothing could have happened.
Main reports by Linda Fairbrother
Kevin Sheldon returned from the long grass to help Ben Matthews mark at Leamington – again our thanks to both of them for their accuracy and help. Ben also gave out the prizes, so he was a busy boy. Thanks also are due to Tom the Leamington Club Manager, and to the Chairman and Committee of the Club for hosting Division 1 and the Finals. On Saturday night, Charlotte provided one of the delicious suppers for which Leamington is famous.
Katy Weston did her usual excellent job of organising everything, with the help of Lucy Hutchinson.
And finally, enormous thanks to our ever-generous Anonymous Sponsor, without whom nothing could have happened.
Main reports by Linda Fairbrother