Just for a change, let’s have a rip roaring start and begin with the results?
On Sunday 31st August - the Mens 1st team were at Nottm Castle and had a narrow 7 sets to 5 victory. Ed & Craig won all their 4 sets.
On the same day, the Ladies were away at Grantham and lost 5-7. Ali & Jules won 3/4 sets. 
On Friday 5th September - the Mixed 2nd were at home to Mapperley Park and drew 6-6. All 3 couples won 2 sets each.
On Sunday 7th September - the Mixed 1st team were at home to Eastwood and had a resounding 12-0 victory. Clint couldn’t have done a better job at shooting them down!
On Monday 18th August, we held the Mens Doubles qualifiers for the Finals night, arranged for Wednesday 10th September. We played 4, 8 game rubbers and the 8 to go through to the semis/ final were: Craig, Simon, Barry, Elliott, Darren, John T, Rick and yours truly, who managed once again, to haul his arthritic limbs around the court. Mustn’t forget a big thank you to Elliott’s wife for providing the excellent cakes!
On Wednesday 3rd September, a singles competition was held, with Chris & Ed going forward to Finals night.
On Wednesday 10th September, the Finals night/ BBQ had to be cancelled, due to the bad weather. This was especially galling, as we had already had to cancel our social/ pétanque night, for the same reason. 
Our annual Clabburn tournament was held on Saturday 13th September. The first hour was lost to rain, but thankfully the weather picked up & we were able to complete proceedings. There were 8 ladies, but only 4 men and I use the term loosely!
Due to the imbalance in numbers, the 4 highest scorers would go in the final and not the usual 2 Men & 2 Ladies.
The top 3 scorers were Elliott, Ellie & Jules. The next highest scorers were equal and they were Alex, Roisin & Mel. Due to Alex having to leave early, Roisin & Mel went into a playoff, with a non scoring partner each. I could be ungracious & say that my partner wasn’t good enough to carry me, but that would be a lie. Roisin thoroughly deserved her place in the final. The draw pitched Elliott & Ellie against Roisin & Jules. You could say that Elliott & Ellie went ‘Ell for leather & like a bat out of ‘Ell, as they started quickly and eventually won 6 games to 1. ( I know - a poor effort!) Commisserations to Roisin & Jules for a brave fight. Many thanks to Angela for organising it and once again a superb selection of cakes from Jules & Ellie.
This will be the last entry until next spring, so there’s some relief from these trying times. The next issue could be interesting, informative and humorous, but then again I could still be the scribe!
If after all this, you would like to rekindle your interest in tennis, October is the start of the winter season.

Club times are likely to be:
Monday & Wednesday evenings 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
Saturday & Sunday 1pm - 3pm. 
More details as follows: Google Ravenshead Lawn Tennis Club and click on Clubspark. We are on Facebook @Ravenshead Lawn Tennis Club. Contact can also be made by phone to Angela on 07940 700 399.
Mel Smalley