British Handicaps Report and Photos 2011
BRITISH LADIES’ HANDICAP SINGLES AND DOUBLES TOURNAMENTS
11th to 13th November 2011
at Leamington Tennis Court Club and Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club
Sponsored by
Go to British Handicaps Results 2011
Introduction
Janet Peach, Liz Fisher, Doris Siedentopf
and Rebecca Kashti
An excellent entry of 34 graced this year’s British Ladies Handicap tournament, shared between the two beautiful clubs of Leamington and Moreton Morrell. The weather was perfect, hardly Autumnal at all, which allowed quite a few participants to stroll around Leamington during quieter moments and get their Christmas shopping started. Sometimes the rustle of shopping bags being shown to friends with comments of approbation, almost drowned out the marker.
The other cause of commotion and giggles in the dedans came from a running discussion about skorts — a number of which (LRTA provenance, of course) were being sported around the courts. The burning issue was one which has exercised Scotsmen down the ages: do you wear knickers beneath your skorts? Of course, the skorts protect our modesty while a kilt doesn’t, but we are obviously a careful lot in the LRTA — only one player admitted to not wearing knickers (thankyou, Ms X; the fee for silence is safely banked); one ‘sometimes didn’t’ and the rest stayed firmly on the side of ‘just in case’… So now you know and Debrett’s have been informed on correct etiquette.
This year the tournament divided into two Divisions with the split at a handicap of 56. The maximum playing handicap was raised to 65, which seems to have been a success in attracting more players in the 60+ range. A decision justified, perhaps, in that the two eventual finalists in Division 2 both had handicaps well over the 60 mark, who might have struggled to win matches in previous years if playing at a handicap set at 60. Most matches were played to the best of 6, but the scores foxed a few spectators (and indeed, markers) by also beginning at one all.
Remembrance Sunday fell over the weekend, and those coming out of, or going to, Leamington on Sunday morning had a fine old time dodging barriers and circumventing closed roads all around the centre of the town. Luckily all were able to find their way through the maze in time to get to whichever court they were aiming for. At 11 o’clock, players and spectators on both courts marked the two minute silence by stopping play.
Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, the Handpicked Collection and an Anonymous Benefactor. Also, to the two Clubs for hosting such a happy tournament, with a great social atmosphere and Leamington in particular for the delicious dinner on Saturday night. Our gratitude to the professionals for all their help and excellent marking: Kevin Sheldon, Marc Seigneur, Tom Granville and Nick Jay; to Guy Stanton, Chairman of Leamington for presenting the prizes; to those who kindly hosted players and especially to Katy Weston for her excellent organisation throughout.
The other cause of commotion and giggles in the dedans came from a running discussion about skorts — a number of which (LRTA provenance, of course) were being sported around the courts. The burning issue was one which has exercised Scotsmen down the ages: do you wear knickers beneath your skorts? Of course, the skorts protect our modesty while a kilt doesn’t, but we are obviously a careful lot in the LRTA — only one player admitted to not wearing knickers (thankyou, Ms X; the fee for silence is safely banked); one ‘sometimes didn’t’ and the rest stayed firmly on the side of ‘just in case’… So now you know and Debrett’s have been informed on correct etiquette.
This year the tournament divided into two Divisions with the split at a handicap of 56. The maximum playing handicap was raised to 65, which seems to have been a success in attracting more players in the 60+ range. A decision justified, perhaps, in that the two eventual finalists in Division 2 both had handicaps well over the 60 mark, who might have struggled to win matches in previous years if playing at a handicap set at 60. Most matches were played to the best of 6, but the scores foxed a few spectators (and indeed, markers) by also beginning at one all.
Remembrance Sunday fell over the weekend, and those coming out of, or going to, Leamington on Sunday morning had a fine old time dodging barriers and circumventing closed roads all around the centre of the town. Luckily all were able to find their way through the maze in time to get to whichever court they were aiming for. At 11 o’clock, players and spectators on both courts marked the two minute silence by stopping play.
Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, the Handpicked Collection and an Anonymous Benefactor. Also, to the two Clubs for hosting such a happy tournament, with a great social atmosphere and Leamington in particular for the delicious dinner on Saturday night. Our gratitude to the professionals for all their help and excellent marking: Kevin Sheldon, Marc Seigneur, Tom Granville and Nick Jay; to Guy Stanton, Chairman of Leamington for presenting the prizes; to those who kindly hosted players and especially to Katy Weston for her excellent organisation throughout.
Division 1 Report
Lucinda Pigott
There was plenty of drama at the Round Robin stage of Division 1: games going to the wire all over the place, Jess Garside had to pull out half way through her final match with an injured shoulder and a three-way split in one group as to who should go through. It was just as well the rules are laid out to the last degree:as three players all had 2 wins, all had won the same number of games, two had the same number of games lost, so it came down to the very final test — who had beaten who in their match.
At the knockout stage, again some fine matches. Katie Leppard against Lucie Browning saw both players volleying superbly any shoulder-high balls and both delivering some excellent railroad serves, with nearly all games going to 40 all. However at 4 all, Lucie (who, having won Division 2 last year, was now having a go at repeating the feat in Division 1) got to grips with Katie’s spinning ground strokes, and a succession of powerful drives into the corners brought her victory, 6/4. Lucinda Piggott, the other youngster left at this stage, also proved too strong for Linda Sheraton-Davies. Lucinda powered, Linda defended and though at first it looked as if Lucinda would sweep through, Linda started to employ low cunning to tame youthful exuberance, taking power off her shots and sneaking them mid-court or up the sides. At 4 all, however, a fine comeback by Lucinda from being -15/40 down to then take the game, gave her confidence. Linda missed two vital volleys, and Lucinda went through, 6/4.
In the other quarter finals, Carolyn Armstrong-Smith played Fiona Harrison. Both were retrieving balls particularly well, but great serving by Fiona, with balls falling horribly close to the back wall, gave her the edge. She also was just hanging in better on the rests and putting a nasty spin on her ground strokes, which just put off Carolyn’s timing. At 5/2, play stopped for Remembrance Day, then Fiona went on to finish the match with a final flurry of serves. In the match between Linda Fairbrother and Jo Miller, Linda put on a fine display of wood shots, bobbles and short balls (some deliberate) that didn’t allow Jo to find any rhythm in her play. In very understandable frustration she began to make errors, and Linda made the most of the handicap points in her favour to win 6/1.
At the knockout stage, again some fine matches. Katie Leppard against Lucie Browning saw both players volleying superbly any shoulder-high balls and both delivering some excellent railroad serves, with nearly all games going to 40 all. However at 4 all, Lucie (who, having won Division 2 last year, was now having a go at repeating the feat in Division 1) got to grips with Katie’s spinning ground strokes, and a succession of powerful drives into the corners brought her victory, 6/4. Lucinda Piggott, the other youngster left at this stage, also proved too strong for Linda Sheraton-Davies. Lucinda powered, Linda defended and though at first it looked as if Lucinda would sweep through, Linda started to employ low cunning to tame youthful exuberance, taking power off her shots and sneaking them mid-court or up the sides. At 4 all, however, a fine comeback by Lucinda from being -15/40 down to then take the game, gave her confidence. Linda missed two vital volleys, and Lucinda went through, 6/4.
In the other quarter finals, Carolyn Armstrong-Smith played Fiona Harrison. Both were retrieving balls particularly well, but great serving by Fiona, with balls falling horribly close to the back wall, gave her the edge. She also was just hanging in better on the rests and putting a nasty spin on her ground strokes, which just put off Carolyn’s timing. At 5/2, play stopped for Remembrance Day, then Fiona went on to finish the match with a final flurry of serves. In the match between Linda Fairbrother and Jo Miller, Linda put on a fine display of wood shots, bobbles and short balls (some deliberate) that didn’t allow Jo to find any rhythm in her play. In very understandable frustration she began to make errors, and Linda made the most of the handicap points in her favour to win 6/1.
Lucie Browning and Lucinda Pigott Div 1 Finalists
The semi-finals, then, had the 2 talented younger players playing the more experienced older ones. Alas for the oldies, they were blitzed off the court. Lucie Browning hustled Fiona Harrison into errors, using power and the tambour to destroy her confidence. Fiona started to snatch at the ball, and make more and more errors (not previously apparent in her matches). Also she got stuck at the Hazard end for nearly 3 games, unable to lay any chases. Lucie romped through 6/1.
A similar story in the other semi, where Linda Fairbrother’s serves were treated with contempt and swept into corners by Lucinda Piggott and long rests always finished with Lucinda winning the point. A cheer went up when Linda managed to win one game, but the result was never in doubt: 6/2 to Lucinda.
The Singles final was a level match between young players Lucinda Piggott and last year’s Div 2 winner, Lucie Browning. It was a thrilling contest, played well above the supposed handicap of 48 for both and in the end came down to who had the firmer self-belief. At first, both played strong but wild shots, but Lucinda was making slightly more errors and Lucie was just getting better length in her attacking shots. So by 4/1 to Lucie, it looked as if all was more or less predictably going her way. Lucinda, however, had other ideas. Unfazed by starting the next game with a double fault, she held her nerve and slowly clawed her way back into the match. As Lucie saw Lucinda coming up the hill, she began to rush on the volleys and return of serve and the games slipped away, to make it 4 all. Now it was all down to headwork, as both players engaged in long rests and great retrieving. Whose will was stronger? Both battled away to make it 6/5 and then 7/5 to Lucinda, now aiming cut shots into corners with great effect, especially under the grille. Could Lucie stage her own come-back? No, Lucinda held on and took the match and the Singles title 8/5. It was a superb display by both players, who were a delight to watch with great technique and attack.
A similar story in the other semi, where Linda Fairbrother’s serves were treated with contempt and swept into corners by Lucinda Piggott and long rests always finished with Lucinda winning the point. A cheer went up when Linda managed to win one game, but the result was never in doubt: 6/2 to Lucinda.
The Singles final was a level match between young players Lucinda Piggott and last year’s Div 2 winner, Lucie Browning. It was a thrilling contest, played well above the supposed handicap of 48 for both and in the end came down to who had the firmer self-belief. At first, both played strong but wild shots, but Lucinda was making slightly more errors and Lucie was just getting better length in her attacking shots. So by 4/1 to Lucie, it looked as if all was more or less predictably going her way. Lucinda, however, had other ideas. Unfazed by starting the next game with a double fault, she held her nerve and slowly clawed her way back into the match. As Lucie saw Lucinda coming up the hill, she began to rush on the volleys and return of serve and the games slipped away, to make it 4 all. Now it was all down to headwork, as both players engaged in long rests and great retrieving. Whose will was stronger? Both battled away to make it 6/5 and then 7/5 to Lucinda, now aiming cut shots into corners with great effect, especially under the grille. Could Lucie stage her own come-back? No, Lucinda held on and took the match and the Singles title 8/5. It was a superb display by both players, who were a delight to watch with great technique and attack.
Jill Newby, Aldona Greenwood, Lucy Davies & Lucy Hutchinson
In the Doubles of Division 1, the younger players fell to craftier older partnerships. By the semi-final stage, long-established pair Pam Tomalin and Chantelle Harding faced two Lucys, Davies and Hutchinson. It was an exciting contest. A rumbustuous start by the Lucys, hitting at their opponents’ feet, gave them the edge in the first games. But clever defence brought Pam and Chantelle back, so all was even at 5 all. Pam made two valiant saves of forces to the dedans to bring the score to 30 all. But the Lucys hung on and took the match 6/5. In the second semi, Aldona Greenwood and Jill Newby (who were giving oodles of points to all their opponents) took on Julia Scott and Fiona Harrison. Despite the big handicap mountain Aldona and Jill had to climb each game, they were just too consistent for their opponents, who did manage to win 3 games with good length shots, but couldn’t hold on to the end. So Aldona and Jill went through, 6/4.
And a similar story in the Doubles Final, where again Aldona and Jill were labouring under a 23 handicap against them. Lucy Hutchinson and Lucy Davies manfully defended, but there were just too many killer shots coming their way. Each game was slowly whittled away as Aldona and Jill climbed up the points mountain. If they made a rare error, or faced a serve in the nick, the higher ranked pair got into difficulties and at 3 all, it was all to play for. But Aldona and Jill won some fabulous rallies, avoiding Lucy Davies who came forward to the net and pulling Lucy Hutchinson from side to side, though she time and again somehow returned the ball. Now the games were all going Aldona and Jill’s way and at 7/3, superb serving by Jill brought them up to 40/30. And a final rest gave them the match 8/3 in a great exhibition of how to play tennis with a deep handicap against you.
Report and photos by Linda Fairbrother
And a similar story in the Doubles Final, where again Aldona and Jill were labouring under a 23 handicap against them. Lucy Hutchinson and Lucy Davies manfully defended, but there were just too many killer shots coming their way. Each game was slowly whittled away as Aldona and Jill climbed up the points mountain. If they made a rare error, or faced a serve in the nick, the higher ranked pair got into difficulties and at 3 all, it was all to play for. But Aldona and Jill won some fabulous rallies, avoiding Lucy Davies who came forward to the net and pulling Lucy Hutchinson from side to side, though she time and again somehow returned the ball. Now the games were all going Aldona and Jill’s way and at 7/3, superb serving by Jill brought them up to 40/30. And a final rest gave them the match 8/3 in a great exhibition of how to play tennis with a deep handicap against you.
Report and photos by Linda Fairbrother
Division 2 report
Kate Rowe
Five round robin groups made up Division 2 in the tournament, starting on the Friday at Leamington, and continuing on Saturday at Moreton Morrell. Very notable was how well the handicaps seemed to work. More or less all the matches were closely fought, so much so that timings over ran on both days, as no one seemed willing to concede. But eventually ten players went into battle on the final Sunday, playing to best of 6.
First, Group E winner, Annabel Wyatt, facing the runner-up of Group I, Sarah McGivern. Sarah drew first blood, followed by Annabel evening up immediately. And so it continued, with neither player able to draw ahead, though Annabel looked as if she had done it when she made it 4/2. Another 40 all game and a 1 yard chase saw Sarah closing the gap to 4/3. Game on! Sarah won the next game to level it up yet again. Annabel was serving and went ahead 40/15, but Sarah won the serve and then went for a drop-shot in the hazard area — winning the point and then the game to go ahead. She coolly laid a chase 1 yard for the first point, another worse than 3 for the second and won both points, following up with a superb tambour shot and eventually won this game and the match 6/4. A great tussle, with both players determined to give a hard time to the other one — and twists and turns in the matches.
Next up, Doris Siedentopf (winner F) vs Janet Peach (runner up H). Doris, having recently given up work (for how long, who can tell? Ask Christine Lagarde!), has been putting in practice on various courts like only a lay-about can. This showed itself at the all important 40 alls — and Doris started off well, going 4/1 ahead. Janet narrowed the gap to 2/4 in the next game, but succumbed 6/2 in the end.
Kate Rowe (WI — a relative newcomer to the game but a devilish lawn tennis player) faced Liz Fisher (RUF) next. It was another tussle to begin with, until at 2/2 Kate began to pull ahead, winning first a quick game and then showed her class in the next with a shot streamed past the tambour, followed with a superb get out of the backhand corner and a tight serve, to go 4/2 up. A swift chase by Liz started the next game, a brilliant serve from Kate secured her the 15:0 lead — and further tussles got us to 40 all again with Liz winning the next point to narrow the gap to 3:4. The next game was a display of control from both players with the graceful Kate winning out to go ahead 5:3. The opening retrieve from a tambour shot meant 15/0 to Kate — close rests got us to 30 all — then a forceful volley from Kate into Liz’s backhand corner meant match point and after another rest, match to Kate 6/3.
Jeannie Piggott (RUE) vs Trish Morris (RUG) was the next game with tricky odds in Jeannie’s favour. Trish started serving, lost the serve, and then from the Hazard end, made powerful returns to secure the first game. Buoyed by this, Trish played steadily and after a number of 40 all games, racked up the next four to go up 5/1. But Jeannie was not giving up easily. First point: Chase better than 3, then a shot into the tambour from Jeannie and two more winners to go 40:0 up in this game. Two shots targeted into the dedans and volleyed into the net made it 30:40 — followed by a hazard chase and the play-off to 40all. But the momentum stayed with Trish who closed out 6:1 — the score-line belying the exciting moments in the match.
First, Group E winner, Annabel Wyatt, facing the runner-up of Group I, Sarah McGivern. Sarah drew first blood, followed by Annabel evening up immediately. And so it continued, with neither player able to draw ahead, though Annabel looked as if she had done it when she made it 4/2. Another 40 all game and a 1 yard chase saw Sarah closing the gap to 4/3. Game on! Sarah won the next game to level it up yet again. Annabel was serving and went ahead 40/15, but Sarah won the serve and then went for a drop-shot in the hazard area — winning the point and then the game to go ahead. She coolly laid a chase 1 yard for the first point, another worse than 3 for the second and won both points, following up with a superb tambour shot and eventually won this game and the match 6/4. A great tussle, with both players determined to give a hard time to the other one — and twists and turns in the matches.
Next up, Doris Siedentopf (winner F) vs Janet Peach (runner up H). Doris, having recently given up work (for how long, who can tell? Ask Christine Lagarde!), has been putting in practice on various courts like only a lay-about can. This showed itself at the all important 40 alls — and Doris started off well, going 4/1 ahead. Janet narrowed the gap to 2/4 in the next game, but succumbed 6/2 in the end.
Kate Rowe (WI — a relative newcomer to the game but a devilish lawn tennis player) faced Liz Fisher (RUF) next. It was another tussle to begin with, until at 2/2 Kate began to pull ahead, winning first a quick game and then showed her class in the next with a shot streamed past the tambour, followed with a superb get out of the backhand corner and a tight serve, to go 4/2 up. A swift chase by Liz started the next game, a brilliant serve from Kate secured her the 15:0 lead — and further tussles got us to 40 all again with Liz winning the next point to narrow the gap to 3:4. The next game was a display of control from both players with the graceful Kate winning out to go ahead 5:3. The opening retrieve from a tambour shot meant 15/0 to Kate — close rests got us to 30 all — then a forceful volley from Kate into Liz’s backhand corner meant match point and after another rest, match to Kate 6/3.
Jeannie Piggott (RUE) vs Trish Morris (RUG) was the next game with tricky odds in Jeannie’s favour. Trish started serving, lost the serve, and then from the Hazard end, made powerful returns to secure the first game. Buoyed by this, Trish played steadily and after a number of 40 all games, racked up the next four to go up 5/1. But Jeannie was not giving up easily. First point: Chase better than 3, then a shot into the tambour from Jeannie and two more winners to go 40:0 up in this game. Two shots targeted into the dedans and volleyed into the net made it 30:40 — followed by a hazard chase and the play-off to 40all. But the momentum stayed with Trish who closed out 6:1 — the score-line belying the exciting moments in the match.
Regi Dodge
In the next match, Sarah McGivern encountered newcomer Regi Dodge (a lawyer based in NY with lawn tennis and squash credentials, but not much experience at the real game). Regi had dominated her group playing at Moreton Morrell — but we all knew what a wily player Sarah is and weren’t predicting the result too soon. Given Sarah’s vast experience and Regi’s newly determined handicap, Sarah owed 15 every game. Sarah started with two service winners, then a ding dong score up to 40 all, but a winning rest by Sarah made this 2/1. Regi hit back in the next game to level at 2 all and then went ahead to lead 3/2. Crafty play by Sarah hitting slow, but good length balls into the serving Regi’s backhand corner saw Sarah levelling the match. In the next game Regi appeared to pick up the pace to go ahead 4/3 after closing out at 40 all with a superb cross-court backhand. Whilst the next two games were close, Regi won the crucial points, for a 6/3 win with her superior athleticism and newfound confidence in the Leamington court.
Diane Binnie (WH) met Trish Morris in the next quarterfinal, Diane receiving 15 every game. Diane won the toss, started serving and went ahead 2/1, but lost serve in that game. At 30/15 to Diane in the next game, a narrow miss by Diane for a dedans shot levelled the point score and spurred Trish on to win the game for 2 all. The next two games saw Diane go 4/2 up, only for Trish with new-found determination and picking up the pace to go level at 4 all. Games remained close (a dedans miss resulting in a better than last gallery chase — what would you prefer from the hazard end?) — but at 5 all, Trish put her foot down to close out the match 6/5 in her favour.
On to the semis. First up, Doris vs Regi. As previously noted, Doris has been putting in a lot of practice in the last couple of months. But faced with long legs, talent and youth on her opponent’s side — even with little experience of our game — the crowd divided their allegiances. Could Doris pull off an even more crafty display than Sarah and top the talented newcomer before she learned to play the game? Or would talent win out? Regi won the toss — and Doris learned the odds were owe half 15, receive half 15 in Regi’s favour. To keep a short story long, Doris was proud to gain the service end with a worse than second gallery chase in the first game at game point down — and managed to make her opponent swap sides a few more times before a crushing defeat of 6/1. Well deserved to Regi — and thoroughly enjoyed by both contestants! BTW, before the match — and having watched previous proceedings, Doris counted herself rather unlucky to be “in the wrong half”.
Second semi — Trish Morris vs Kate Rowe. Kate had shown remarkable poise and control combined with a deadly volley and speed around the court in her quarterfinal. But, in the Real Tennis environment, Kate is a rookie and so Trish owed Kate 15 every game. Despite long rests and gutsy retrieving from Tricia, Kate went through winning 6/1 in this semi.
Diane Binnie (WH) met Trish Morris in the next quarterfinal, Diane receiving 15 every game. Diane won the toss, started serving and went ahead 2/1, but lost serve in that game. At 30/15 to Diane in the next game, a narrow miss by Diane for a dedans shot levelled the point score and spurred Trish on to win the game for 2 all. The next two games saw Diane go 4/2 up, only for Trish with new-found determination and picking up the pace to go level at 4 all. Games remained close (a dedans miss resulting in a better than last gallery chase — what would you prefer from the hazard end?) — but at 5 all, Trish put her foot down to close out the match 6/5 in her favour.
On to the semis. First up, Doris vs Regi. As previously noted, Doris has been putting in a lot of practice in the last couple of months. But faced with long legs, talent and youth on her opponent’s side — even with little experience of our game — the crowd divided their allegiances. Could Doris pull off an even more crafty display than Sarah and top the talented newcomer before she learned to play the game? Or would talent win out? Regi won the toss — and Doris learned the odds were owe half 15, receive half 15 in Regi’s favour. To keep a short story long, Doris was proud to gain the service end with a worse than second gallery chase in the first game at game point down — and managed to make her opponent swap sides a few more times before a crushing defeat of 6/1. Well deserved to Regi — and thoroughly enjoyed by both contestants! BTW, before the match — and having watched previous proceedings, Doris counted herself rather unlucky to be “in the wrong half”.
Second semi — Trish Morris vs Kate Rowe. Kate had shown remarkable poise and control combined with a deadly volley and speed around the court in her quarterfinal. But, in the Real Tennis environment, Kate is a rookie and so Trish owed Kate 15 every game. Despite long rests and gutsy retrieving from Tricia, Kate went through winning 6/1 in this semi.
Doris Siedentopf and Rebecca Kashti with Guy Stanton
So the two rookies were pitched up against each other in a final that surely would prove a fascinating opposition, played best of 8. Despite Doris’ thoughts about a ‘wrong half’, it was obvious by now that there was no wrong half and so it proved. Both these newcome players were formidable and both came into the final with a previous win of 6/1 under their belt (girdle?). And so it proved. Alex Garside, our chairman, commented that the play would not have disgraced the other Singles Final and murmurs of ‘Banditta…’ were heard in the dedans, especially from a number of visiting gentlemen.
At first, Kate drew ahead — Regi had the stronger shots, not to mention a six foot stretch, but was making more errors; while Kate’s good volleys and Bjorn Borg ice-cool demeanour won her the crucial points. But at 4/2 to Kate, Regi began to serve well and Kate’s calmness verged at times on the casual. Regi started to win games, until the score reached 6 all. Both were now playing well above their supposed mid-60s handicaps, making good use of the tambour and the nick. Even more admirably, both were gaily laying chases of 1 or a half, as if the easiest thing in the world. But by now Regi was making fewer errors and her weightier shots began to prevail. She took the match and the title, 8/6, in a fine display by both players, who look set to achieve much in the future.
Doubles are however a different matter… Difficult for the less experienced to get a handle on what to do. In the semi–finals, Doris Siedentopf’s fitness regime paid off again, when she and partner Rebecca Kashti saw off the experience and crafty play of Sarah McGivern and Katy Weston, 6/3; while Janet Peach and Liz Fisher proved too steady for Candida Nicholls and Annabel Wyatt, though it was a close-run thing at 6/5.
In the Final of the Div 2 Doubles, played to best of 8, both pairs began with steady accurate play, but Doris and Rebecca were just holding on a touch longer than Janet and Liz in the rests and getting a better length on their ground shots. They steadily drew ahead and Doris seemed to not just have become fit as a fiddle and fast as a fox, but also learned a thing or two about patience from her children — biding her time in rests till a loose shot came her way and then putting it carefully into an impossible corner. There seemed nothing that Janet and Liz could do to capture the vital game points. They battled to the last, even at 40/0 down at 7/1 down, defending Chase the line. A great serve saved match point. But Doris laid Chase worse than 3 at the next point and this was a challenge too far for their opponents. Doris Siedentopf and Rebecca Kashti took the match, 8/1.
Doris Siedentopf with Linda Fairbrother
Photos by Linda Fairbrother
At first, Kate drew ahead — Regi had the stronger shots, not to mention a six foot stretch, but was making more errors; while Kate’s good volleys and Bjorn Borg ice-cool demeanour won her the crucial points. But at 4/2 to Kate, Regi began to serve well and Kate’s calmness verged at times on the casual. Regi started to win games, until the score reached 6 all. Both were now playing well above their supposed mid-60s handicaps, making good use of the tambour and the nick. Even more admirably, both were gaily laying chases of 1 or a half, as if the easiest thing in the world. But by now Regi was making fewer errors and her weightier shots began to prevail. She took the match and the title, 8/6, in a fine display by both players, who look set to achieve much in the future.
Doubles are however a different matter… Difficult for the less experienced to get a handle on what to do. In the semi–finals, Doris Siedentopf’s fitness regime paid off again, when she and partner Rebecca Kashti saw off the experience and crafty play of Sarah McGivern and Katy Weston, 6/3; while Janet Peach and Liz Fisher proved too steady for Candida Nicholls and Annabel Wyatt, though it was a close-run thing at 6/5.
In the Final of the Div 2 Doubles, played to best of 8, both pairs began with steady accurate play, but Doris and Rebecca were just holding on a touch longer than Janet and Liz in the rests and getting a better length on their ground shots. They steadily drew ahead and Doris seemed to not just have become fit as a fiddle and fast as a fox, but also learned a thing or two about patience from her children — biding her time in rests till a loose shot came her way and then putting it carefully into an impossible corner. There seemed nothing that Janet and Liz could do to capture the vital game points. They battled to the last, even at 40/0 down at 7/1 down, defending Chase the line. A great serve saved match point. But Doris laid Chase worse than 3 at the next point and this was a challenge too far for their opponents. Doris Siedentopf and Rebecca Kashti took the match, 8/1.
Doris Siedentopf with Linda Fairbrother
Photos by Linda Fairbrother