Tennis schedule decimated by the wintry weather

IN true Wimbledon tradition, the wet weather put paid to most of the winter league fixtures for this week with only one dry evening.

- DAVE, SUE GALE

In a re-arranged Men's B Division match, Sean Wolstenholme and Simon Dixon started well against Steve Matcham and Dave Gale. Dave and Steve soon got into their rhythm of one serving well and the other volleying away winners, though.

Sean and Simon covered the court well and hit some deserved winners too. Simon had several good serve games in which Dave and Steve had to dig deep to break his serve. In the third set Simon and Sean went 3-2 ahead but couldn't keep the pressure on and Dave and Steve eventually won 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Not so lucky with their day of play was Rich Rawlings and Kamran Khan, who took on John Putman and sub-Lee Horton on a wet and windy night.

Both pairs struggled with the conditions, but Rich and Kamran adapted quickly to take the first set 6-0. However, the second set was much closer with John and Lee finding a bit of form and running out 6-4 winners. The rain increased in intensity for the decider, and with both pairs eager to complete the match, Rich and Kamran upped their play and took the third set to win 6-0, 4-6, 6-0.

In a re-arranged Ladies A match from the first half of the season, Nicky Trevaskis and Fiona Crutchley got the better of Anna Tickle and Alison Goodwin. Nicky and Fiona took the first set 6-4. Alison and Anna then went 3-1 up in the second but despite great serving from Anna, Nicky and Fiona were more consistent taking the remaining games and win overall 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.

Sandra Fox and Esther Jolliff are a pair that Linda Trebilcock and Hilary Picton struggled against in the first half of the season and the rematch was no different.