OSWESTRY FIRSTS MAKE PERFECT START WITH 4-0 VICTORY
Oswestry Mixed Doubles 1st team kicked off their Tennis Shropshire Division 2 season in style with a superb 4–0 home win over David Lloyd 2.
It was a night of fresh beginnings and welcome reunions. Jess Kershaw made her mixed doubles debut for the club, teaming up with Matt Grice to produce two excellent performances. After battling back from 4–1 down in the second set of their opening rubber, the pair showed great composure to take it 6–4, 6–4. They carried that form into their second match, running out convincing 6–1, 6–2 winners.
On the neighbouring court, Gary Edwards and Fiona Russell reunited an old and trusted partnership. Their first match went the distance and they showed real grit to edge the deciding tie-break 10–8 after splitting the opening sets 4–6, 6–3. They followed up with another strong display, closing out a 6–2, 7–5 win to complete the clean sweep for Oswestry.
A fantastic start to the season and full points on the board.
The team then had a busy week, coming through two tough fixtures in four days to record excellent wins over Market Drayton 1 and Hollies 2, moving to the top of Tennis Shropshire Division 2.
On Monday night the team travelled to Market Drayton for a tight encounter that finished 3–1 in Oswestry’s favour. Matt Grice and Jess Kershaw continued their strong form with two composed straight-set wins, taking their opening rubber 6–2 7–6 before following up 6-3 7-6. Gary Edwards and Fiona Russell battled well too, producing a solid 7–5 6–4 victory in their first match before being undone by a championship tiebreak in the second. It was a hard-earned result away from home that set the tone for the week.
Back on home courts three days later, Oswestry backed it up with a 4–0 win against Hollies 2. Matt and Jess were clinical once again, winning 6–2 7–5 and 6–1 6–1 to maintain their perfect start to the season. Gary and Fiona mirrored their teammates score, 6–2 7–5, then dug deep to win a dramatic championship tie-break 10–7— finishing with minutes to spare before the floodlights cut out at 10pm.
Both matches were played in great spirit and provided plenty of late-night drama. With three wins from three, Oswestry now sit top of the division.