Weekly Update!
Final Match Report of the Season!
David Lloyd v Acle C
There is a popular property renovation programme on television that shows each week, a Mr and Mrs Daft from Surrey, their three children and two dogs, who sold their family home three weeks before Christmas. The Daft’s then buy a caravan to live in while the derelict and abandoned Castle they bought on a cliff top in Scotland at auction which is located two hundred miles from the nearest road is going to be rebuilt, renovated, decorated and furnished all in accordance to British Heritage specifications and what’s more ready in time for them to move in for Christmas.
Four years later the smarmy presenter visits them to find the loving couple have divorced, the children are in care and the dogs have eaten each other through sheer boredom. But within the leaking caravan the smarmy presenter still insists on asking Mr Daft, so how have things been going since we last saw you.
Well, you know deep down it was never going to work but you do have to admire people who dare to dream.
David Lloyd armed with an A Team strolled into town knowing that a win meant promotion and with it title glory. The Captain was again fielding a youthful C, team Paul Chase, George Dembicki and Tom Devaney with the exception of the General AKA Andrew Devaney, we all needed the General as our tennis guiding Father figure and mentor.
Paul and George went straight in to battle and while adjusting to the pace went 3 games down, but then George had a chance to serve and we were off and running. The games were continuing to go with serve but George was now gaining in confidence and unleashing some phenomenal shots at the opposition. We were only narrowly to miss out on a draw finishing 7-9 but David Lloyd looked a very worried bunch indeed at the end of the first act.
Father and son, General and Tom were playing Mother and son on court 4 and were whipping up a storm, Tom clearly relished this speed of play and was now showing us some great tennis and was consistently matching the pace from the talented Finn, Finn’s Mother played an all round quality game with great elegance. It really was now turning in to a match whom the spectators were all clearly enjoying, someone said, Gorleston must have been empty that night as they were all cheering the C team on at Acle, and even the Dembiki dog was barking its approval when a winner was hit by Acle. 11-5 Win
When we changed George and Finn started immediately playing some fiercely competitive tennis, George’s partner was struggling to see the ball - it really was epic tennis. Tom and the General carried on in fine form and played some extremely exuberant and determined shots. Several people stated they even saw the General break in to a run during the match but it later turned out to be a mild jog.
The title was now slipping away from the David Lloyd mob, the oversize lady was clearing her throat, Yosser Hughes was asking for a job and leaning his head back, the Crabs were on the phone about to take us all out for dinner. Then the lights went out, in darkness we stood, like miners at the coal face, like the conclusion of an afternoon out drinking with Richard Burton and George Best we were fumbling for keys and money, the Captain ran to put the lights on after the long wait but it was too late, the C team concentration had slightly went astray from the Captain and we ended up recording the narrowest of defeats against a team that could be and perhaps should be playing Premier Division tennis.
To get back to Mr and Mrs Daft, three children and two dogs, no we did not move in on Christmas day either but we dared to dream like the Daft’s and next year if we can keep some of these youthful players at the club and incorporate them in to our top teams, the Castle will surely one day be a home.
As this match concluded, so did the City League season for the C team, one must acknowledge all those who played their part in consolidating the C team in a tough division three of the City League.
Ian Blackburn, no one has got their Botswana in gear quicker to get to North Elmham with 25 minutes notice, we snatched victory from a certain walk over.
Hugo Westveer, for sincerely thanking the Captain for the opportunity to play for the C team, how lucky can one Captain be,
James Lillistone, A talent with modesty and the rather strange calming effect that he brings to the team when he arrives; he is the man you would want to sit next to if the Captain of your holiday flight said Brace Brace Brace. In fact within the C team now if a player becomes over anxious and panics during a match we say instead of take a deep breath and relax have a Lillistone.
Sean Dunthorne, The variety pack and the two for one, indeed a special offer for any team, he brought us enthusiasm terrific tennis and humour.
Luke Daine, One of the great talents at the club with still frightening potential to achieve further.
Joseph Ketteringham, exploded in to the C team and was a great inspiration to all the team, when we were playing against some of the top teams his confidence and attacking game made us realise that no one was really that much more capable than us.
The General, pure class, the best of the best, the man that seldom needs to move so he does not and I had the pleasure to play with him although a little injured at the time the opposition had no idea.
Stephen Nirmal, Perhaps the unluckiest player of the C team at the close of his first match at Cringleford a bolt across the court produced a bad injury and circumstances meant we never saw him reach his true potential this season! But after a classic game on grass his best move all season was to suggest Fish and chips at Cromer.
George Dembicki, Again one of the Under 18s who will be making a mark in all the senior teams next season a ferociously powerful player with skill to match.
Matt Hammond, A big server, the solid left hander who will offer to play on either side and can cover the court with great speed, talks a little too much about badminton though,
Tom Devaney, the one to watch next season a great talent in the making, to hold his own and then dominate in Division three’s hardest match of the season speaks volumes.
Al Simmons, A great player who performed consistently well and was a superb team man as well, gladly playing with anyone and taking every game in his stride. The Captain gave up getting him psyched up as it just took too long.
The last word goes to the two memorable moments of the season,
A, C team player telling another player what to do mid match, Remember, I am not coaching you I am just supporting you!
A player with huge belief in his own ability! Slightly jealous, tells the captain, you only won the league by a narrow margin last year, the reply, which one!
Norwich Winter Tennis Association
Winter Double Tournaments
A great opportunity to continue match play throughout the winter!
The Norwich Winter Tennis Association, supported by Easton College Tennis Centre, is running a doubles tournament throughout the ‘chillier’ months. There are four age groups, 45+, 55+, 65+ and an open which includes men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed-doubles.
Please contact Liz Lake at secretary@acletennisclub.org.uk if you would like more information on this and an entry form. The closing date for entries is the 22nd September.
Saturday Social Tennis
Now that all matches have finished, what better way could you think of then to spend your Saturdays down the club playing a friendly match and fine tuning those incredible skills you’ve picked up over the summer! Saturday Social is on from 2-4pm, cost a £1 and doesn’t need to be booked, so come along this weekend!
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.