Weald Tennis Club’s Ladies second team draw tough fixture against Badgers

Playing at home in the early autumn sunshine, first pair Helen Sewell & Kristina Banham were up against Badgers’ first pair Kana Fukada & India Enticknap who made them work hard with a combination of very consistent ground strokes from Kana and India’s topspin.

The match ebbed and flowed with the Weald pair ahead one minute, trailing the next and some very groundstroke and volley rallies, but eventually taking the match 7-6, 7-5. Second pair Rachel Molloy & Julie Nicholson played Bettina Molnar & Liz Foster, but struggled with Bettina’s hard hitting and low spinning underarm serve, which saw the Badgers’ pair defeat the Weald girls 6-3, 6-3.

In the second rubber Helen & Kristina were able to put pressure on Bettina & Liz whose combination of hard hitting and softer shots made it difficult to achieve a rhythm, but the Weald pair kept on top and achieved a straightforward 6-1, 6-3 victory, using their usual combination of cross-court shots from the back of the court and interceptions at the net to take the points. Rachel & Julie had a marathon match against Kana & India, losing the first set, but taking the second in a tie-break. Unfortunately they were unable to consolidate having drawn level, nevertheless providing some exciting viewing from the balcony, with Kana & India taking the tie-break 11-9; this was about as close as it gets, the final score 7-5, 6-7, 1-0 to Badgers, so an overall draw. Early days in the season but some wins would be welcome.

The Weald Men’s 4th Team won their second match in a row, beating Storrington Men’ 3rd Team 4-0 on Saturday also at home. Gary Buckland & Stuart Thornton blew away the Storrington 1st pair David Bristow & Mark Nader 6-1, 6-1 in rapid time. Meanwhile Carl Valentine & Rory Darkins comfortably won their first rubber 6-2, 6-4 against Jules Gammons & Mike Carey.

The reverse rubbers were a much closer affair. Carl & Rory were 4-1 down in the first set before they knuckled down and played some ugly but effective tennis, coming back to win 7-5, 6-3 against David & Mark. Gary & Stuart were also struggling in their match against Jules & Mike. They lost the first set 6-1, but then staged a come-back winning the next set 6-4 and the Championship tie break, giving the team another victory.

The Weald Ladies 4th Team travelled to Southwick on Sunday to play Sussex County Ladies 1st Team. The team of Maria Shannon, Ann Harding, Liza Loughton & Cecilia Holland were up against very tough opposition when playing against first pair Clare Johnson & Fiona Fisher and despite their best efforts were unable to secure a victory.

Ann & Maria were defeated 6-1, 6-1, while Liza & Cecilia lost 6-1, 6-2. Happily, both Weald pairs won their matches against Sussex County’s second pair Susie Pettit & Ella Blake, Ann & Maria taking their match 6-3, 6-3 and Liza & Cecilia achieving a 7-5, 6-2 victory, resulting in a very satisfactory 2-2 draw.

Playing at home on Sunday, the Ladies 5th Team’s opposition were Pavilion & Avenue’s 2nd Team. Ann Naested & Anne Tomlin, the Weald’ first pair, came up against their opposite pair Hillary Jewers & Rachael Lee; the hosts took the first set 6-2 attacking the net with great volleys from both. Hillary & Rachael , both of them big hitters , took the second 4-6, but the Weald pair held their nerve and their form to win the championship tie-break. Debbie Marchant & Sandra Clark took on second pair Karen Uden & Ann Dutfield in an epic rubber that went on for just over 2 hours. Debbie & Sandra emerged the victors 7-6, 7-6.

Ann & Anne found their second rubber slightly tricky against Karen & Ann who took the first set 4-6. They soon worked out their game plan and played very well together to win the second set 6-3 and the championship tie-break convincingly. Debbie & Sandra lost the first set against Hillary & Rachael then rallied well together making very few errors to take the second set and the Championship tie-break - the final score 4-6, 6-4, 1-0. A very well deserved win for the Weald ladies.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!