AT just over the halfway stage in the summer leagues, Yelverton tennis teams have had mixed results. The Ladies? A team are 6th in Division 1 with 5 losses and 12 points, mainly because of injuries lasting several weeks to two key players, Helen Smith and Fiona Spreadbury. Helen returned from injury to last week?s match against Ivybridge B and played with Karen Gasche to get two valuable points. Ann Short and Emily Murray did well to take 5 games off their first pair, losing 6-2, 6-3. The B team are 5th In Division 2 with 18 points. Angie Lynch and Shirley Every were awarded a merit award for beating both pairs at Plymstock away and have continued in fine form, helping the team to a 7-2 win in the return fixture last week. Wendy Sharland and Ann Tucker did well, winning one match and only narrowly losing the other in a 10-8 tie break. The C team in Division 4 are 4th with 22 points. They drew their most recent match against St Budeaux 4-4, with Jenny Kay and Liz Falconer, Mary Downey and Nicky Gabb doing very well in new pairings. The Men?s teams have also had mixed results. The A team are 4th in Division 2 with 21 points with Roger Froud and David Williams playing as first pair and scoring well. The B team are struggling in Division 5 through lack of availability and injuries are are still looking forward to their first win! In the Plymouth and District knock-out cup, Yelverton, depleted by injuries, lost to a very competent Mannamead team in the first round. The Summer tournament is now well under way with the finals due to be played on July 8. Some exciting matches have been played with a 3 set victory for Jenny Kay and Chris Spreadbury over Wendy Sharland and Roger Short lasting over 2 hours on a very hot afternoon. Jenny and Chris came back from 1-3 down in the last set to win the match. Helen Smith and Andy Brent beat Mags Berry and Ray Spreadbury 6-2, 6-0 and Mary Downey and John Marshall beat Janet Strelling and Charles Hattersley 6-0, 6-3. Jane Scott and Nick Murray beat Liz Parkes and Simon Murray 6-1, 6-4. In the first round of the singles matches, Julia Whetton beat Mary Downey 6-2, 6-2 and Peter Smith beat James Fletcher 7-5, 6-2. l On the social side, there was a large gathering of members and friends to a party to raise funds for Joy Tynan, at present walking through the Rift Valley in Africa to raise money for Breast Cancer. Over £200 was raised at a lovely party at Ray and Fiona Spreadbury?s home on Dartmoor.
