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Weather was a big factor again this year. The forecast was for solid rain from about 2pm and it wasn’t far wrong. We made an early start and played on both courts whenever teams didn’t overlap.

First off was mens singles on court 1 and on court 2, the mens doubles.

Mens Singles

The defending champion, Dave Bate, played against the frequent champion, Tim Randell. The rain particularly affected Dave’s game as he likes to serve and volley. (Or, in fact, receive and volley.) This was much harder on the slippery surface and so most of the game was played from the base line. Tim won 6-0 6-1.

Mens singles won by Tim Randell.

Mens Doubles

The line up was Jamie Johnson and Douglas Langford vs Chris King, Dave Williams. The first two sets were shared and so it went to a 10 point tie break. Unfortunately Chris injured his calf towards the end of the second set and was limping both then and in the subsequent tie break. The winners were Jamie and Douglas 4-6 6-3 10-4

Mens doubles won by Jamie Johnson and Douglas Langford.

Ladies Doubles

With the weather looking like we had little time left we moved onto the ladies doubles. The line up was Nicky Slight and Debbie Bauckham vs Vicky Roberts and Jane Williams. Since Nicky and Jame were the singles finalists and, even if Chris could play, Vicky and Debbie would be in the mixed doubles, there was no chance to play on both courts. This was quite an even contest and had some impressive rallies. The winners were Nicky and Debbie, 6-3 6-1.

Ladies doubles won by Debbie (far left) and Nicky (next left).

Ladies Singles

Then it started raining properly. We made a start on the ladies singles anyway. Nicky Slight vs Jane Williams.

Nicky showing a lefty forehard

This contest lasted two games before James, match secretary, came on court to say it was just too much.

Jane, in the distance, peering through the rain.

Decisions

With Chris injured it was decided that, rather than give a walk-over, which would have been sad, the mixed doubles final could be played another day. Likewise with the rain hammering down we decided the ladies singles could also resume some other time. Meanwhile cups were given to the winners we had so far.

Another win for Tim. Notice that, as promised, there were refreshments.

Nicky and Debbie enjoying the glory.

JJ and Douglas. Might not appear so but they have one cup each.

The club tournament will, weather permitting, happen on Saturday 7th September. We would expect to play even if there is a little rain !

Rough Time Table

12:30 Players to arrive
13:00 Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles
Dave Bate vs Tim Randell
Jamie Johnson and Douglas Langford vs Chris King and Dave Williams.

Then, without very much delay ..
Ladies Doubles
Nicky Slight and Debbie Bauckham vs Vicky Roberts and Jane Williams

Ladies Singles
Jane Williams vs Nicky Slight

Mixed Doubles
Vicky Roberts and Chris King vs Debbie Bauckham and Jamie Johnson

There will be refreshments !

A write up from James, match secretary..

LADIES DIV 5

Notable mention to the ladies who completed a terrific 10 match season, winning 8 games and only losing 2. (They actual have the most wins in the division and therefore the least losses). However, the league system is based on games won, they finished on 466 placing them 4th in the table, unlucky ladies, a very small squad in comparison to most of the league and you did us all proud. Next year, you can win it all!

MENS DIV 7

The B team unfortunately faced very young, tough opponents, but the B team also helped us find stars in our own squad, primarily brought in play so people could play competitive tennis, we have found some good players that could have stepped up to the A team, with an influx of youthful legs and the experience of the vets, we can certainly make a greater push next season. The Mens B team, finished 4th.

MENS DIV 4

There can be no other way to describe how well the Mens A team has done, they simply deserve to be in Div 3 and even have a eye on Div 2, due to new rules being voted on last year, Mens A will stay in Div 4, despite finished second, closely behind a Devonshire, who waited until their last game of the season to overtake us. Devonshire turned the tables on a Plymstock team that was taking the league by storm, by playing players that Play in Div 1 against us. A player who has done the European Tour even played so that they could take vital games away from us. Although very disappointing, it is also something to hold your heads up high about, Devonshire was that worried that they couldn’t beat Plymstock, so they had to use Semi-Pro players. Plymstock and Devonshire lost 1 game the entire season, both Away from home, both against each other. Finishing second behind Devonshire by a mere 17 points.

It has been an absolute pleasure to watch the players, play for the club and really want to win! Men, Ladies, a massive well done, have a good break (Winter league). Thank you very much to the Club Captains, @Dave Bate, @Jess Randell and @Mo Sebastien who have been amazing at organising teams and rescheduling rained off matches.

We can be very proud as a club.

Both the mens A and the ladies played their last game of the season on the last day of July.

Men

In the case of the men there is an outside chance of topping the division but it would require a dip in form from Devonshire.

The team did their bit tonight, a maximum 72 points.

Here is a snap shot of Mens Division 4, with Plymstock having completed their matches and Devonshire having two to play.

At the time of writing we do not know the result of Devonshire vs Ivybridge, playing tonight. Previous form would suggest full 72 points for Devonshire. Their last match is against Mannamead C.

Ladies

This season has seen 8 wins for the ladies (including today’s result). Most of the wins have been by relatively small margins so the league position is mid table. Overall, considering there was some debate about running a ladies side I think 8/10 is a pretty good outcome.

Here’s today’s scorecard

Our last match of the season for mens B was away to St Budeaux D.

Some close games and defeats in tie breaks lead to a score lower than a good reflection on the contest.

Final score 67:29 to St B.

The ladies made the trip to Looe again. There was some concern it would rain, and it is a long way to go if it might be rained off. On the day the weather was good and the result was a win.

The score was 64 to 28 in our favour, helped by winning two tie breaks.

For the second time this season the Mens A team achieved a maximum 72 points, this time in the home tie against Saltash.

This score is despite Chris and Dave being zero – five down in one set, before coming back to level 5-5 and then take the tie breaker.

Plymstock B 68 : Tavistock F 14

Brian and Jack came back from 4-8 down in the tie break to win 10-8

Rescheduled from a rainy Monday, this was a very sunny and warm Thursday evening.

Dave and James against Ivybridge no 1 pair. James serving.

In the league we are second to Devonshire C. The gap is 8 points. With that in mind we went into the match watching to score enough to keep the pressure on. It started well for the pair of Tim and Steve. More than well, a perfect 6-0 6-0 against he weaker of the two Ivybridge pairs. On the other court Dave and James were facing much stiffer competition. They lost the first set but won the second. In the tie breaker they saved 4 match points before, finally, losing 14-12.

So at the half way stage we were winning, but not by much. Things picked up after that, both pairs easily won their second matches.

Final score a win by 62-18

We had quite a strong side today. Unlikely ever to put out a stronger B team. However it wasn’t enough. Plymstock B 24 : Menheniot B : 63