Age is of no barrier to Butler and Tolkien

DESPITE giving their opposition an 89-year aggregate age gap, Janet Butler and Dudley Tolkien were thrilled to take their first win for a few seasons when they faced Alexandria Barkia and Alexander Stephenson in the basement battle of the mixed.

- DAVE AND SUE GALE

It was sunny but windy which led to some scrappy points but also a closely contested first set with Dudley and Janet having a set point at 5-3 but Alex and Alex persevered and took them to a tie-break with Alex and Alex just winning it 7-5.

The experienced Dudley and Janet took the second set easily but again, Alex and Alex wouldn’t give up and forced them to another tiebreak in the third set but, this time, Dudley and Janet won the tie-break to give them the win 5-6, 6-1, 6-5.

Jose Rojas and Debbie Wilson struggled to find their rhythm against a consistent Gary Brookes and Alice Wildgoose. Gary played the angles beautifully and they won 6-1, 6-0, 6-4.

It was for once a pleasant evening and perfect conditions for winter league tennis when Pam Ellis and Ming Dai played Janet Butler and Dudley Tokien. Pam and Ming were always in control winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

There were many hard fought points with plenty of long rallies in a keenly contested match between Stephanie D’Haussy and Alan Mayes against Nicky Slight and Dave Bate. Alan and Stephanie came out on top but the second and third sets could have gone either way if it wasn’t for some clinical finishing from Alan as they won 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Steve Matcham stood in for his Men’s B partner and played well with Sue Newberry to defeat fellow Mannamead members Emma Stephens and Wes Waring. There were plenty of deuce games which isn’t reflected in the final score as Sue and Steve won 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Tania Belcher and Jason Whiteley faced Alexandria Barkia and Alexander Stephenson. Alexander served well and ran for every shot but despite this and Alexandra doing some good volleys it was Tania and Jason who won, using their experience and placing good shots, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0.