Author: admin

We went into this match in second place in Division 4. We were far enough ahead of third place Ivybridge that we were not looking at dropping a place. Overtaking Devonshires lead of 28 points seemed unlikely too. Will second place be enough ? We don’t know. The league will not decide how many get promoted or relegated until the number of entrants to next years league is known, so probably not until about March 2024.

For the record, even if it didn’t matter, we won 70-26.

Tim and Steve had an easy first match against the Tavistock number 1 pair and had plenty of time to watch the tense struggle on the other court. Dave and Mark lost the first set, then were 3-5 down in the second, then recovered to 5-5 and tie-break. Not only that, but the rallies were really long too. Then Dave and Mark won the tie break and also the 3rd set breaker.

In the second set of matches Tim and Steve struggled much more, whilst Dave and Mark had a relatively easy straight sets victory. Possibly the form team were the Tavistock number 2 pair.

There have been a lot of close matches for the ladies this year. This match was another tie, scores exactly equal, at 41 points each, at home to Tavistock C.

Rain at the start of the evening made it dubious the match would be played but fortunately it soon cleared up for some great tennis. H1 v A1 had more deuces than the Wimbledon final.

Well done to Clare who played her first match of the season.

Another 72 points win for Plymstock. This time it was the men at Newton and Noss. Another member of the squad – Jack – was given his first experience of league tennis. After this he probably thinks it is very easy.

One more match to play this season with the team probably in second place, well ahead of Ivybridge in third and close enough to Devonshire that they can’t afford to slip up.

A Sunday match for the ladies. Possibly the “D” side of a large club, like Tavistock, gets home matches pushed towards the rear of the week.

In this match Plymstock won every set. Score 28 to 72.

A few Plymstock members including your correspondant also play at Ivybridge, because it has indoor courts, and so we know some of the players. I have to say that Ivybridge put out a strong side tonight. Despite that we gained the majority of the points. Tim and Mark were our A team. They won two – zero against the away second pair, needing a tie break in the first set. Their second game, against the pair nominated as the home first it was a very quick affair, just one game dropped.

Steve and Dave R managed a set against each of the opponents but lost both third set tie breaks. However, adding up all that, we came out ahead, 53 – 37

There will be a cream tea at club play on Saturday 8th July. There is a notice on the board in the clubhouse to sign your name up so the organiser, Jess, has an idea of numbers. Or you could private message her and let her know if you think you will be there. Even better, it’s free!

The mens team are second, fairly close (9 points) to Devonshire B who are first. Also not so far ahead of Ivybridge C in third place. Plymstock and Ivybridge play each other on Thursday 6th July.

The ladies team are third in their division, with a bit of a gap both above and below.

Full details in a PDF file on the P and D website.

Playing on grass – although not quite Wimbledon standard – the Ladies had a 46-46 tie away to Saltash.

Below are the players and you can get a feel for the state of the grass too ..

Our match against Devonshire B was a top of the table clash – which may have prompted them to field a strong side. They just about managed to overturn the result of our last encounter. Dave R was thrown in the deep end, so to speak, for his first game of the new season.

The comments to press say, I think, some of the best rallies all season and definitely the best Jaffa Cakes.

Score 37 to 53

A good result, 63 to 26, including, notice, the H2 team (Jane and Debbie) getting a win against the away second pair and also taking the A1 pair to a tie break.

Score sheet below..