Wratten and Barraclough win clash of the veterans

IT was a battle of the veterans when Roger Wratten and Roy Barraclough played John Putman and Chris Shorter with combined ages of 315.

- DAVE AND SUE GALE

The ball spent most of the time in the stratosphere but the match was closely contested. John conducted a splendid rear-guard action returning the high lobs from just inside the baseline. Unfortunately they were unable to complete the match in time ending 6-3, 3-6, 3-1 to Roger and Roy.

John and Chris had a good tussle against Miki Booth and Kevin Wilkins, though Kevin and Miki were well ahead in the first two sets.

The third set was much closer with John and Chris going 4-0 up but Kevin and Miki battled well to hold on and win 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

Alexander Stephenson and Dominic Sivewright were too strong for Jack and Brian Morganwinning 6-2, 6-5, 5-4, while Dave Gale and Simon Dixon started quickly, went ahead and went on to beat Pete Ireland and Andrew Regan 6-3, 6-5, 6-3.

With both teams having started the league in fine form, winning their two opening matches, one pair’s 10o per-cent record was going to go when Lewis Edwards and Richard Cooper played Chris Pearce and Darren Courtnell. Coping better with the wind, it was Lewis and Richard who prevailed winning 6-1, 6-5, 6-2.

Chris Welland and Varun Philip won 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 against Arash Dinari and Lawrence Hay in Men’s A.

Arash and Lawrence played again the next evening against Mark Skerton and James Driscoll. With both pairs having secured promotion from last year’s B division, Mark and James renewed their rivalry with Arash and Lawrence and narrowly took the first set in a tie-break.

Arash and Lawrence fought back, taking the next two sets to clinch the win 5-6, 6-2, 6-1.