In a busy day at Fishbourne Tennis Club on Sunday (7 August), all the courts saw some terrific tennis action as two LTA matches were played out – with Fishbourne coming out top in both.
In the Sussex League, FTC men took on chaps from Slinfold (near Horsham) Tennis Club in what was a triumph of diversity for the game of tennis, with around 50 years separating oldest and youngest players.
With captain Chris Gosden on holiday, and other regular Sussex League players away too, three new faces – Harry and Will Dry, and Bob Murray – joined the squad alongside FTC match stalwart Tom Craddock.
There were some close encounters as young and old(ish) showed what they could do in the humid conditions. Huge respect to the boys from Slinfold, in their first league match, for a valiant effort (and also for having ground strokes to die for).
Slinfold visitors Peter Corbett and Peter Bird, and the new dynamic duo from Fishbourne, Will and Harry Dry
Overall the match went to Fishbourne by three rubbers to one. Results:
- Peter Corbett and Peter Bird (Slindon) beat Tom Craddock and Bob Murray 6-4 3-6 10-8 (tiebreak).
- Harry Dry and Will Dry (Fishbourne) beat Archie Stokoe and Ben Belcher 6-0 6-0.
- Tom Craddock and Bob Murray (Fishbourne) beat Archie Stokoe and Ben Belcher 6-3 6-3.
- Harry Dry and Will Dry (Fishbourne) beat Peter Corbett and Peter Bird 6-2 6-4.
Tennis: truly a game for everyone, whatever their age
The other battle of the day was a Portsmouth & District mixed doubles match against near neighbours The Avenue LTC in Havant. Representing Fishbourne, and taking the win four rubbers to nil, were: Cressida Williams, Nikki Scott, Andre Rogers and Luke McEwen.
