Corby Tennis Centre have won the Northants Lawn Tennis League Mens Division 1 title for the second time in three years, when they finished the campaign with an 8-0 win over Northampton LTC on Friday, despite a spirited display from stalwarts Tim Graham & Jeff Servant. It was a remarkable turn around in the league as with just 3 matches to go, Corby were facing County A with the Northampton club playing on their home turf, with a 5 set lead. The strong Corby team of Jack Haworth & Joe Tyler, Jordan Parker & Kyle Rae defeated Barry Wilson & Dave Garratt and Ben Foster & Henry Masters by 7 sets to 1, to take a 1 set lead going in to the final two matches. This was a great performance from the young Corby team, knowing they were under pressure to produce a good score-line, and they pulled off the biggest win they have ever managed at the Northampton club. It was also good practice for County Week , the following week, as 6 of the players involved represented Northants in Division 4.
After beating County C 8-0, it was advantage Corby, as Dallington A had taken County A to a close 3-5 defeat, with Andy and Steven Guy picking up 3 sets. This meant Corby Tennis Centre just had to secure a win of any kind against Northampton A, which they duly did. There was a large squad of players used by Corby throughout the season, but a core of players made a significant contribution. Wetherell brothers Jamie and Scott did brilliantly both together and apart. Scott won 8/8 sets, while Jamie won 20/20 with 4 different partners, while their Uncle Stuart also contributed against Dallington B team early in the season alongside Neil Shorrock. Jordan Parker won 17/20, Joe Tyler got 16/16, while Alan Jordan picked up 11/12. Brown University player Jack Haworth won 23/24 including 12/12 alongside his Dad, Craig Haworth – the Corby Tennis Centre Manager.
Haworth senior had this to say “I am delighted the Club has managed to win the top division for the second time. It is especially rewarding for me to see so many of the juniors I have coached at various times for many years, playing at such a good level, and to get to play 3 matches with Jack was great fun. I have had a couple of shoulder operations in the past 18 months, so I thought my days of playing matches was over, but luckily for me, Jack is strong enough to cover most of the court. I am so pleased for the Wetherell family to have Jamie, Scott and Stuart all involved – it is terrific for all the family. We could also never have won the title without huge contributions from Jordan Parker, Joe Tyler and Alan Jordan who between them won 38 out of 42 sets. Another 7 players contributed to the success of the team this season. Unfortunately I am unable to attend the NLTL dinner award ceremony due to being abroad, but I am confident there will be a strong representation from Corby Tennis Centre there with the Wetherell family and friends enjoying seeing Jamie & Scott collect the trophy.”
L2R photo of the Corby team that beat Northampton LTC on Friday – Craig Haworth (Centre Manager), Jack Haworth, Jordan Parker, Scott Wetherell (injured) & Jamie Wetherell.