Freezing weather fails to deter hardened players

FOR the first time in quite a few weeks, it's been a mostly dry week and 20 matches were played in the Brewin Dolphin Mannamead Winter Tennis League.

- DAVE AND SUE GALE

MEN'S

A competitive match in Men's B was played between Chris Shorter and John Putman, against Jon Jacobs and Mike Scott, with the first and third sets being closely fought and could have gone either way.

Chris and John slightly lost their way in the second set against consistent play from Jon and Mike. The pendulum swung again in the third as Chris and John started well and were able to keep up the momentum to win 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

Playing a second time this week were Chris Shorter and John Putman. This time, their opposition were Lester Ellicott and Richard Turner.

Lester and Richard came close in the first set and nearly took it, but Chris and John played better as the evening progressed and won 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

Mike Smith and Nick Souness played Andrew Regan and Dan Baugh and it was a close game between the two pairs with the result not reflecting the match at all.

Mike and Nick continue to enjoy being at the top of the table and won 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.

Jon Jacobs and Mike Scott played again, facing Lester Ellicott and Richard Turner. In three quality sets, which again were closer than the score suggests, there were good baseline shots from Lester and some deft touches at the net from Richard. Ultimately Jon and Mike were more clinical in the key moments, which saw them through the match 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

Making the most of a rain-free evening were Andy Weymouth and Bob Verey, playing Phil Hore and Paul Cooper, in Men's A.

Some strong volleying from Andy and accurate ground strokes from Bob were too good for Phil and Paul, who put up a valiant fight being 3-1 up in the second set before Andy and Bob came back to take the set 6-3 and win overall 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.