Newark Lawn Tennis Club
It’s wasn’t the best start for Newark Tennis Clubs Mixed 1st team, playing in unfamiliar match conditions under floodlights at Southwell last Thursday and after such a lengthy break it showed. Sam Smith/Sara Jackson were able to win all 3 sets 25-11 (7-5,9-3,9-3). James Lalyk/Tamara Bainbridge and Adrian Smith/Steph Smith took 11-25 each so the team left Southwell with a team total of 47 to 61.
The bad luck continued as Ladies 2nd played on a blustery Saturday afternoon against Caunton A who were handling the conditions much better and went storming ahead. They took 74-34. 22-14 from Katy Dines/Jill Pindar, 25-11 from Annie Davies/partner and 27-9 from Lynne Hare/Jo Ellis.
By Sunday the teams were ready for a win and it came early in the morning for the men’s 2nd as Bingham didn’t fancy the trip to Newark and handed Newark the win. The ladies 1st delayed their start at Southwell but managed to play through a few showers and in some glorious sunshine. Jane Hendley/Sue Bilton taking 26-10 (7-5,8-4,11-1) Steph Smith/partner 23-13 and Tamara Bainbridge/Sara Jackson also 23-13 but achieving most success against Southwell first pair 9-3. Overall team win 72-36.
If nothing else it proves grassroots tennis isn’t all strawberries and cream.