Souness and Smith crowned champions of Men's A League

WITH the RBC Brewin Dolphin Mannamead Winter Tennis League coming to the last few weeks the top placings are gradually taking shape.

- DAVE AND SUE GALE

Despite a rusty start from Sam Williams and sub-Dan Cole - and some competitive tennis from Bob Verey and Andy Weymouth - Sam and Dan came through in a tightly fought match which stayed competitive until the final point 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

It was a tight match with long rallies between Jason Vosper ad Yuen Siu against Dave Gale and Steve Matcham. Aside from the second set, in which Dave and Steve surrendered a 2-0 lead, there was nothing between the pairs but Jason and Yuen were stronger in both tiebreaks and took the bonus points by winning 6-5, 6-2, 6-5. 

Chris Shorter and John Putman resumed their partnership after John was out for a few weeks with a shoulder injury against Lester Ellicott and Richard Turner. Lester and Richard started well and fully deserved their first set of the campaign. They varied their play and ran out of tie-break winners. Chris and John managed to regroup to take the next two sets and win overall 5-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Lester and Richard played again the next day against Sean Wolstenholme and Simon Dixon and again showed signs of their improvement throughout the winter league season by pushing Sean and Simon all the way. Sean and Simon took the match 6-4, 6-5, 6-4.

Sean and Simon also played again a few days later in poor weather and credit to both teams for playing through and playing some good rallies. Nick Souness and Mike Smith won 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 and sealed the league with this victory.