Weekly Update!
FINALS WEEKEND!!
THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!
The dates in your diary that you've all been waiting for have finally arrived. Yes - it's the pinnacle of the Acle Tennis Club calendar - the 2017 Tournament Finals Weekend on 2nd/3rd September. Play is due to start on 11am on the Saturday and 10.30am on the Sunday.
There are some mouth-watering matches in the offering following some big upsets in the semi-finals. Notably there will be a new name on the Mens Singles trophy as marathon man James Lillistone ousted Damien Lake in 3 long sets 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. James will now take on the no.2 seed Hugo Westveer in a much anticipated final - 2pm on the Saturday. ( However, Damien could get his revenge in the 35+ Mens Singles Final - 10.30am Sunday morning). In the Vets Mens Doubles, new pairing Graham Tate and Mike Lake came through a nail-biting 3 sets to beat the no 2 seeds Paul Chase and Colin Larby, 7-5, 2-6, 9-7. They will play No.1 seeds Ian Nicholls and Ian Blackburn at 1.30pm on Sunday. And in the Vets Mixed Doubles, Craig Witheridge and Sabine Ledsham-Darter beat defending champions Paul Chase and Shelley Long 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. They will now play Ian and Ann Nicholls at 10.30am Sunday morning.
So with 18 finals taking place including juniors and plate finals there will be something for everyone to watch. So why not come down enjoy some fantastic tennis, eat some delicious cakes (including Liz's famed tray bakes) and maybe a burger or two from the BBQ on Sunday. Weather currently set fair for the weekend!!
Match Reports
Acle B Mens v Boston B
Acle B use Fortress Acle to secure promotion!
On Thursday 24th August the Acle B team represented by Ian and Tom Blackburn, Andrew Devaney and Joe Ketteringham made the trip to Lime Tree Road for the final match of the season against relegation strugglers Bostons B. With Acle moving into an early lead bonfire smoke engulfed the courts. With the Blackburns choking, for a split second they were sure they caught a silhouette of Derek Perry chuckling behind the fire. But Dev and Joe were unperturbed and proceeded to win the next 30 points in a row! With the Acle victory in sight Bostons made one final throw of the dice, the floodlights were extinguished, and the courts were thrown into total darkness. But all the efforts of the hosts were in vain, as Acle won 43-21!
It seems a long time since a disastrous first match against Taverham B saw Acle B at the bottom of the table. The club’s youngest captain, Acle junior Tom Blackburn, absent from the first match due to illness, returned the following week and led from the front being undefeated against all 20 pairs he faced during the season. Despite being in a tough division, which included a string of county players and one ex professional who had taken Andy Roddick to three sets, the B team created a fortress at Acle defeating all six other teams in Division 2 at home. We finish the season as runners up with 20 points and a games difference of plus 130. Thanks to regulars Ian and Tom Blackburn, Graham Tate, Hugo Westveer, James Lillestone, Joe Ketteringham, and Andrew Devaney and for valuable guest appearances from Damien Lake, Stephen Harlow, Paul Chase and Matt Hammond. Also a special mention to Ian Nicholls injured in the line of duty in the first match! Division 1 here we come!
Acle B v Virgin A
With Acle B in second place in division 2 David Lloyd A are the only team currently above us. As a result, a strong side was expected and a strong team was picked in anticipation. The team was Tom Blackburn, Ian Blackburn, Hugo Westveer and Steve Harlow. The setting was resemblant of Taverham in that the match was played to the tune of heavy beats from the social club holding a wedding party. The tennis was of the same high tempo but Acle edged it with a 35-29 win making them level on points with the league leaders only second on game difference.
Acle Recreation Membership Card
If members would like an Acle Recreation membership card they are available from Sabine Darter and Ann Nichols, who are regularly at the club but can be contacted at sabine@ledshamdarter.co.uk or ann.nicholls46@btinternet.com to arrange a pick up point.
Recreation Centre Car Park Reminder
Please be aware that work is still commencing on the roofs at the Recreation Centre. There will therefore be some car parking restrictions in place during this time. The first row up from the Indoor Bowls will be out of use; this will be fenced off for the duration of the work.
Club Kit! NEW COLOURS AND STYLES!
Click on the link to view the Acle Tennis Club Kit!
http://www.4sportskitshop.co.uk/category-s/1974.htm
Regular Weekly Timetable:
Adult Social Tennis
Monday
10am - Midday - Social Tennis
7pm Club Night
Tuesday
6pm-7pm - Cardio Tennis!
Wednesday
10am - Midday - Social Tennis
Friday
10am - Midday - Social Tennis Saturday Social Tennis 2-4pm
All sessions open to all ages and abilities. No need to book a place just turn up, pay and play. These are friendly relaxed groups, offering the chance to have fun while getting fit at the same time. We would love to see more members playing on a regular basis. Sessions often end with a well- earned drink in the social club.
Group Coaching
Tuesday
7.30pm-8.30pm Intermediate
For any information on the above, or to arrange an individual lesson please contact Ann Nicholls.
Other Bits & Bobs
▪Don't forget that you can buy new balls from the club. Please call Mike Lake on 01493750337 or see Ann Nicholls down at the courts.
▪Money in the safe: could all members please put a note with any money put into the safe detailing who the money is from and what it is for. Please also make sure the club room door locks properly when you leave.
▪Members with a guest: Reminder for members who attend the courts with a guest to kindly put the names on the form pinned to the Club Room wall and put a note with the payment before depositing it in the safe. There are pens, paper and bags provided.
Feedback & Suggestions
If you have any feedback or suggestions about the weekly update or the club itself please feel free to contact either Holly Hornagold at hornagoldh@gmail.com or Andrew Sherwood at Andrew.sherwood@talktalk.net.