Gaining promotion last season was a great achievement for us, but the reality of being in a higher division this season has proved difficult for us. Team selection has been marred by injury however the team has fought doggedly throughout the summer experiencing some epic battles.
Away v Oxfordshire. Weds 15th May
Squad
Pauline Donnelly
Sarah Tolliday
Chris Scott
Sandra Jepson
Jenny Gowans
Our debut in the second division saw us facing a strong Oxfordshire team away. Our first pair Pauline and Sarah were beaten in straight sets by Oxfordshires first pair 1-6,1-6. Sandra and Chris narrowly lost their first set against the second couple 6-7 and went on to lose the rubber 6-7, 1-6
Pauline and Sarah took their second rubber 6-3, 6-4 after a tightly fought battle. Jenny partnered Sandra for their second rubber as Chris retired injured. Despite having some excellent rallies they lost the rubber 3-6, 2-6.
A 3-1defeat over all, but some great tennis.
Away Lincolnshire Tues 11th June
Squad
Pauline Donnelly
Marianne MacLeod
Sandra Jepson
Jenny Gowans
Warwickshire were overwhelmed by a strong Lincolnshire side losing the match 4-0. Pauline and Marianne however managed to take the Lincolnshire 2nd pair to a championship tie break which they narrowly lost.
Home v Cheshire Sat 20th July
Squad
Pauline Donnelly
Marianne MacLeod
Jenny Gowans
Judy Turner
Played at Stratford Tennis Club on a warm afternoon, a strongly fought battle took place. Jenny and Judy managed to win their first rubber against Cheshire’s 2nd pair 6-4, 7-5. Pauline and Marianne meanwhile lost narrowly to the 1st pair 2-6, 6-4, 0-1.
The final result was 3-1 to Cheshire with Pauline and Marianne losing to Cheshire’s 2nd pair in straight sets and Judy and Jenny just losing out in three sets to Cheshire’s first pair.
Away v Leicestershire Weds 24th July
Squad
Marianne MacLeod
Sarah Tolliday
Pauline Donnelly
Judy Turner
Marianne and Sarah lost to Leicestershire’s first pair after a strong first set 6-7, 2-6 but beat their second pair 6-3, 7-6. Pauline and Judy were unable to take a rubber leaving the final result as 3-1 to Leicestershire.
Home v Nottinghamshire Sat 21st Sept
The final match of the season was played at home against Nottinghamshire.
Squad
Marianne MacLeod
Sarah Tolliday
Pauline Donnelly
Judy Turner
This match was nail biting right to the very end. Marianne and Sarah lost in straight sets to their first pair while Pauline and Judy won 7-6, 6-3. The next two rubbers both went to championship tie breaks. Marianne and Sarah managed to win 7-6, 2-6, 1-0. Attention turned to the remaining rubber where Pauline and Judy had won the first set 7-6, but lost the second set. They were locked in a tight CTB, which ended 15-17 to Nottinghamshire. The final match result being a draw but Warwickshire lost on games.
Apart from a big thank you to the whole 060 squad who have trained and played with great spirit, I would also like to thank Stratford Tennis Club and coach Ryan Bolton for hosting our training session and home matches.
Chris Scott
O60 Ladies Capt.