Green for ‘Go’ as Ladies hit Top Gear!
Sian Green and daughter Ailsa spearheaded a fine 6-2 win for our Ladies A team away to Medstead B. Our number one pair secured all four of their rubbers, making Sian very happy, especially as Ailsa was at her side producing a power packed performance! Much credit also goes to number two pair Sarah Jeffries and Gill Lawson who played a valuable part in completing an excellent team effort.
There was even better to come in the following match home to Haslemere B. On this occasion Ailsa teamed up with fellow teenager Nikki Sanders, and Sian was paired with Emma Amin. Although we have strength in depth in our Ladies squad this may well be the A’s at their strongest! Haslemere were on the receiving end, and were blown away as Ailsa and Nikki cruised through four sets only dropping four games. Sian and Emma were equally impressive conceding only 5 games in the 8-0 rout! The visitors were very sporting in defeat and enjoyed the usual post match feast with a glass or two!
Next up was a visit to Kingsley who fortunately, on a thundery evening, possessed an indoor court. Fortunately for us that is, as our team quickly adapted to the fast surface. With Sian and Ailsa back together, and Nikki teamed up with the ultra consistent Anna Moore, it was one way traffic as we recorded another 8-0 victory.
To complete a tremendous run we entertained Newman Collard, and the hat-trick of 8-0 wins was completed. Newman Collard produced plenty of resistance in some really close sets, but with Sian and Ailsa setting their usual high standard victory was never in doubt. I have to give a big mention to the other duo of Emma Amin and Kate Hogan who blended so well together. Emma’s consistency and variation in pace was aided by an impressive return to form by Kate. They were always in control and were a pleasure to watch. Although these four wins have put us on top of Division Two there is no time for complacency, as we entertain Headley in our next match, and we need to rectify the 5-3 defeat suffered to them in the first match of the season.
The Ladies B team were not to be outdone as they recorded two closely fought home wins, to edge their way to the top of Division 4. Firstly, we entertained Buriton, and the hard hitting Susie Oakley teamed up well with Angie Thornley as they landed three of their 4 rubbers. Sarah Jeffries and Gill Lawson claimed two sets in their supporting role giving us a 5-3 win.
The next match was crucial against Steep B, who at the time led us by one point at the top of the league. Angie Thornley teamed up this time with Anna Moore and they were outstanding in winning all four sets. It was much harder for Denise Clay and Kate Hogan, but they did clinch the final rubber in the gathering twilight to give us a 5-3 victory. This meant we were one point clear of Steep, and at this stage they look the main opposition to our promotion hopes.
The Mixed Doubles squad gained an 8-0 victory away to Midhurst C, and we owed this victory to Beetle and Denise Clay, and Andrew Wilson-Smith and Sarah Jeffries. After three matches we share the Division 3 leadership with the Midhurst B side, and they may be the main opposition to us gaining promotion.
The Men’s squad suffered a 5-3 defeat away to Alton B, and a 6-2 home reversal to a strong Haslemere B team, before a scrambled victory away to Midhurst C gave us our first win. We had top teenagers Ollie Sanders and George Pettifer playing in this match, and they had no problem outclassing the opposition as they dropped just one game in four sets. David Sanders and Mike Dimmer needed just one set, to clinch the match, but having lost 3 sets and trailing 5-3 and 40-0 in the last chance saloon, this looked unlikely. Then came the late twilight revival as the gallant second pair dug deep, and saved faced to land a grueling set 7-5. The 5-3 win left it’s mark on yours truly, as David and I had spent twice as long on court as the lads. Still recovering me – but I suppose it was worth it!
Mike Dimmer.