At the post…
Norbury Park played away on Sunday 20 May at Telford Park and just pipped their hosts at the post, 5-4, in their third Millennium Cup tie of the 2018 season.
It was a perfect morning for tennis, bright, still and getting warmer by the minute.
First up…
The Men’s doubles got into their match very quickly, which proved to be long one, as Paolo Rebora and Richard Barber beat Nikos Tzenas and Christofi Christou 3 & 4 in what was a close match.
In the Ladies Over 40s, Charmaine Boyd got off to a quick start against Kate Sheehy, winning the first set 6-1, only for Kate to fight back in the second, but Charmaine was quick around the court and consistent and won through 6-3.
In the boys match Mark Lovejoy and Max Bavington had a great tussle.
Max was giving away several years to a very capable opponent and the boys, who were on court next to the men’s singles match, traded some big shots with Mark on the offensive and Max playing brilliantly in defence.
Mark won the first set 6-2 but Max pushed back in the second only to lose it 6-7 on a tiebreak. Epic stuff!
The men’s match was also a humdinger, mirroring the boys hard hitting and commitment.
Jim Brooke was unusually caught off guard by Omar Cader’s hard serving and trading big shots and got drawn into Omar’s game. Omar won 3 & 5 but not without a big fight.
…Next…
Telford got one back as the Norbury Men’s Over 45s vet was unable to play. This left Keith Lavender prowling around looking for an alternative opponent, and instead he had to settle for some of Juliet’s quiche.
Tilly Reed and Monica Wiszowata had a slightly tense match but it was Monica’s consistency that won the day by 1 & 3.
Clare Williams and Oznur Mehmet had a curious match where Oz got off to a strong start, then Clare fought back, with Oz eventually winning the frst set 7-5. Oz then won the second decisively helping to keep Telford in contention in the match with Norbury 4-3 up.
The women’s doubles was very close in the first set but Charmaine partnering Lisa Patient beat Juliet Griffith and Teri Dawkins, 7-6 6-2, making Norbury the match winners.
… And Finally
In the mixed doubles Telford were playing for pride and Pru Hodgkinson and Mark Rothwell played a cool and collected first set to win 6-1.
In the second, Clare Williams and Mohamed Sahi fought back and won 6-4 but Pru and Mark managed to settle themselves for the match tiebreak to save face for Telford.
Report by Mark Rothwell, Telford Park’s Captain
Results
Telford Park LTC lost to Norbury Park LTC 4-5
[Telford Park names first]
Women’s Singles: Oznur Mehmet d Clare Williams, 7-5 6-0; Men’s Singles: Jim Brooke lost to Omar Cader 6-3 7-5; Women’s Over 40 Singles: Kate Sheehy lost to Charmaine Boyd 6-1 6-3; Men’s Over 45 Singles: Keith Lavender d Alex, w/o; Girls Under 16 Singles: Tilly Reed lost to Monica Wiszowata 6-1 7-6; Boys Under 16 Singles: Max Bavington lost to Mark Lovejoy, 6-2 7-6; Women’s Doubles: Teri Dawkins & Juliet Griffiths lost to Lisa Patient & Charmaine Boyd, 7-6 6-2; Men’s Doubles: Paolo Rebora & Richard Barber d Nikos Tzenas & Christofi Christou, 6-3 6-4; Mixed Doubles: Mark Rothwell & Pru Hodgkinson d Clare Williams & Mohammed Sahi, 6-1 4-6 [10-6].