New Club County Teams Announced

The club is pleased to confirm that they will be running Four Teams in the Staffordshire County league during the 2018 season.

The Club will run three men’s teams and a ladies teams. Ensuring a packed schedule of tennis for the clubs growing and exciting squad of players.

The ladies A team will once again aim to maintain Division 1 status for the fourth straight year.

The Men’s A team will look to build on their strong first year back playing in Division 1. Having finished strongly last term securing a third place finish.

The Men’s B team meanwhile will be attempting to join the A Team in division 1 as they go for back to back promotions following them obtaining Division 2 status last year.

Meanwhile the new Men’s C team will feature a number of the clubs teenagers and most promising juniors (along with a few older and wise heads). The new team is an extension of the clubs development strategy, giving a chance to more juniors to play competitive league tennis.

The C team will be looking to replicate the feat of the B team last year and gain promotion from Division 3 at the first attempt.

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2017 Presentation Evening

Leek Tennis Club recently held its 2017 awards evening at Leek Cricket Club. The mens singles had a new winner this year, the first new name for 6 years with Tom Cowdy beating Dave Williamson. Whilst ladies singles champions Caroline Green narrowly missed out on winning all 4 senior finals after losing a classic mixed doubles final alongside Dave Williamson in a tight 3 set match against Ian Sales & Rachael Finney.

Rich Smith & Dave Williamson retained their Men’s doubles crown with a straight sets win in the final that had to be played over two days due to weather. The ladies doubles was also retained by Caroline Green and Janet Harden.

The stand out Junior was Harry Pointon who picked up 6 winners trophies. Whilst Sam Chandler won junior of the year and Josh Gilman most promising junior player.

2017 results were as follows:

1. Mens Singles winner Tom Cowdy, R/U Dave Williamson
2. Ladies Singles winner Caroline Green, R/U Ann Gould
3. Mens Doubles winners Rich Smith & Dave Williamson, R/U Ian Sales & Nick Wood
4. Ladies Doubles winners Janet Hardern & Caroline Green, R/U Alison Randle & Ann Gould
5. Mixed Doubles winners Ian Sales & Rachael Finney, R/U Dave Williamson & Caroline Green
6. Mens 100 years doubles winners Ian Sales & Frank Murray, R/U Dave Bennett & Dave Rhead
7. Ladies 100 years doubles winners Janet Hardern & Caroline Green, R/U Rachael Finney & Ann Gould
8. Junior Boys U18 singles winner Harry Pointon, R/U Sam Chandler
9. Junior boys U16 singles winner Harry Pointon, R/U Ryan Freakly
10. Junior Boys U14 singles winner Josh Gilman, R/U Toby Gayes
11. Junior Girls singles winner Emily Pointon, R/U Tia Mountford
12. Junior Girls Doubles winners Emily Pointon & Cloe Kent, R/U Tia Mountford & Christa
13. Junior Boys U18 Doubles winners Harry Pointon & Ollie Kent, R/U Nial Edwards & Josh Gilman
14. Junior Boys U16 Doubles winners Harry Pointon & Ollie Kent, R/U Nial Edwards & Josh Gilman
15. Junior Boys U14 Doubles winners Toby Gayes & Logan Johnson
16. American Tournement winners Top senior over 4 events Ian Sales, top Junior over 4 events Harry Pointon.
17. Junior member of the year awarded by Club Chairman Frank Murray to Sam Chandler for attitude on court & commitment to playing in multiple teams at short notice.
18. Most Promising Junior was awarded to Josh Gilman. Josh broke into the senior teams at the age of 13 winning the U14 singles & being runner up in the U16 & U18 doubles.
19. Richard Edwards American doubles trophy was a 3 way split between Nial Edwards, Harry Pointon & Frank Murray.
20. Clubman of the year was awarded to Dave Rhead & Barry Beckensall for there efforts in starting up a very successful Saturday junior session that is ran every week at the club 10am-12.

A big congratulations from the committee at Leek Tennis Club to all of those who took part and produced some brilliant Tennis despite the exceptionally challenging weather on finals day. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

New Winter Singles League for 2018

Leek Tennis Club is pleased to announce that from January next year we will have a new winter singles league competition available to all our members at the club. This is the first of a series of new upcoming events that we will be bringing to you.

The new league, which is free of charge, will offer all our members the opportunity for some extra competitive/social tennis throughout the remaining winter months at the club.

Entering players will arrange their own matches and will receive three points for a victory and one point for an appearance. The winner of one set of tennis will be victorious and claim the three points. You can only play the same opponent twice, any matches played after this will not count. If players are on the same points then those with more appearances will be ranked higher in the table.

All results must be sent to club welfare officer Sam Bostock who will then update the league table which you will be able to view on the club website. If results are not sent in then they won’t count.

To register your place or to find out more information please contact Sam Bostock at leektennisclub@gmail.com or on 07795901941.

Once you’ve registered your place you can look forward to taking part, matches will be eligible from the 1st January 2018. The player at the top of the league table on the 1st April 2018 will be club league champion. Let the games begin!

 

Teams End Successful Season on a High

Leek Tennis Club’s Teams brought a successful season to a close during the third week of August as they each achieved their respective goals set at the start of the season.

The A team finished a storming second half of the season, in which they won 3 of their last 4 matches to ensure Division one survival, with a comprehensive victory over relegation rivals Florence. Needing to win 2 out of four rubbers to guarantee survival in their last match, the A team got the job done quickly as they won both of the opening rubbers to put survival beyond any doubt.

The survival push was however built on a fantastic run in which saw them beat Stone A 3-1, Alsager A 3-1, pick up 1.5 points against Endon and finally win their final home match to seal survival.

The B team also finished strongly as they won their final match of the season 4/0 to cap an already secured promotion into Division 2 of the Staffordshire County league. The match represented Luke Thompson’s 21st win in 22 rubbers played this season. The B team must now await other results to come in to learn if they have pipped Eccleshall A to the Division 3 title.

The C team however know that they have already secured silverware having amassed a mammoth 59 points in Division 3 of the City and Suburban League. The title will ensure the club has two teams in Division 2 of the C&S league for the first time in 6 years.

Leek D team, which is a development side offering talented juniors their first taste of league tennis finished with a two outstanding homes wins. As they beat both experienced club rivals Abbey View E and high-flying Draycott C.

Leek A (H Pointon, I Sales, D Williamson, R Smith & C Markham

Leek B – L Thompson, S Chandler, N Edwards, D Bennett

B Team close on Promotion

Leek’s tennis team enjoyed a week of mixed results against strong opposition as the business end of the season began to take shape for each of the teams at the club.

The performance of the week was undoubtedly the Leek Ladies County Team, who produced a terrific display of tennis beating an experienced Walton ‘B’ side 4-0.  The first pairing of Caroline Green and Janet Hardern never lost a game all day, winning 6-0 and 6-0 against Walton’s 2^nd pairing.  They then produced a repeat performance beating Waltons first pairing 6-0 and 6-0 in comprehensive fashion.

The Ladies 2^nd pairing of Ann Gould and Alison Randall also produced an impressive performance winning   6-2 and 6-3 against the Walton first pairing.  They then produced another straight sets victory in their second match, winning 6-1 and 6-3. The 4/0 win was a very good result for the Ladies County Team, who now sit a comfortable 4^th in their division.

The Men’s A team three match unbeaten streak came to a resounding end at home to Westlands A. In a closely fought match, played on a glorious evening, Smith/Williamson fought back from a set and a break down to take their first match to a 3^rd set tie break which they lost 10/8. They then lost another tight second match in straight sets, a score line that did not reflect the see-saw nature of the contest. The A Teams second pairing of Pointon/Sales battled hard, but also came away with no points.

The B team had more luck as despite a weakened side due to injuries they picked up two points away to Stone C. The pairings of Thompson/Cimino & Chandler/Freakley each picked up a point a piece against the same pair as the B’s kept their promotion hopes alive after a recent run of tough matches.  The C team kept their promotion push on the move with a 4/0 win over Leek D.

On Friday evening whilst Andy Murray’s Wimbledon match gripped the nation, the club’s B team had their own crucial fixture in the Staffordshire county league. The contest which pitted them against second placed Eccelshall A who have 3 games in hand, was going to be critical to their title ambitions. The team of Bennett/Bennett & Thompson/Edwards got off to a good start as they took tight first sets and then went on to seal the first rubbers. Bennett/Bennett then seized the initiative winning their second match comprehensively in straight sets. However it appears hope of a 4/0 win were fading as swiftly as the light as Thompson/Edwards trailed a set and a break in their second match. However the pair dug deep to take the match to a a final set tiebreak which they won in comprehensive fashion. The win represented Luke Thompson’s 17^th win this season in 18 matches in the county league and his 9^th straight success.

 

Junior Tournament Weekend 8.7.17-9.7.17

The schedule for Junior Tournament weekend 2017 has now been announced.

Saturday July 8th

10am Under 12 Boys & Girls Singles

10am Under 16 Boys & Girls Singles

2pm Under 14  Boys & Girls Doubles

Sunday July 9th

10am Under 14 Boys & Girls Singles

2pm Under 16 Boys & Girls Doubles

All Tournaments are free to enter for members and balls will be provided.

LEEK TENNIS CLUB AMERICAN SERIES

Leek Tennis Club have announced a new annual series of tournaments will begin at the club on June the 8th. The series of American tournaments will involve four tournaments played across the summer and feature BBQ social events along with the tennis.

All adult members and invited juniors are welcome with partners been drawn for on the day. Each player will keep their own individual score of games  won through out the four tournament series with their best three results counting to the total. At the end of the season their will be trophies for the best male and female players.

The Dates are as follows with the weekend dates featuring BBQ’s.

Thursday June 8th 6pm-8pm start.

Sunday July 2nd . 2pm-4pm start.

Saturday Aug 12th 2pm-4pm start.

Friday Sept 8th 6pm-8pm start.

B team March on as the A team Get off the Mark

Leek tennis club A team picked up their first win of the season in a positive week for the club, during which 8 matches were played in all by the clubs teams. The A team began the week with their first home fixture of the season to early pace setters Florence A, the team gave debuts to new club coach Shaun Murray and 16 year old junior star Harry Pointon.

Despite a tough battle in the fourth match with, Smith & Williamson losing 7/6 7/5, the A team failed to collect a point, going down 4-0. It was however better news on Friday night as the side kicked off their county league campaign with a 3/1 away win at Walton. First seeds Rich Smith and Dave Williamson won both of their matches, dropping only five games in the process. In the reverse rubbers Dave Bennett and Cai Markham were exceptionally unlucky to lose an epic match, which saw every set go to a tie break before winning their second match in straight sets.

The clubs B team continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive 4-0 away win to Eccleshall C, the team led by Ian Sales did not drop a set. With Juniors Harry Pointon and Ollie Kent wining their second match 6/0 6/0. They then continued their strong form with a 2-2 draw away to a strong Basford C side. Having picked up the first two rubbers, the pairings of Dave Bennett, Sam Bostock, Luke Thompson and Drew Bennett, were defeated in two tight 3^rd set tiebreaks to ensure the points were shared.

The Clubs third division teams also posted strong results with the D team led by club veteran Colin Kinshott and junior Sam Chandler posting a superb 4-0 win at home to Florence D. The C team also continued their unbeaten start to the season running out comfortable 4-0 winners over Alsager C.

The ladies team had a mixed week of results. With them suffering a 4-0 loss away to a strong Draycott side with Janet Hardern and Caroline Green losing two tight matches 6-3 ,6-4 and 6-4 6-2.

However they continued their strong early form in the county league with a 3-1 away win at Eccleshall Ladies. The first pairing of Caroline Green and Janet Hardern comprehensively beat the home teams  second pairing 6-0 and 6-0 and then went on to beat the number one seeds 6-0 and 6-2. The Club’s second pairing of Anne Gould and debutant Penny Oakley fought hard against the first pairing but lost out by 7/5 6/1. In their second match they secured straight sets win resulting in a 3-1 win for the Leek Team.

Memorial Tournament Sunday 21st 10am

The annual Richard Edwards Memorial Tournament will take place this Sunday (the 21^st) at 10am. Please feel free to turn up with your racket and get involved. No prearranged partner is necessary, we will draw for pairs on the morning. Even if you do not want to play please feel free to come up and enjoy a coffee and a biscuit whilst watching the matches.

COUNTY SEASON STARTS

Leeks Ladies tennis team began their 2017 season with a tough away trip to Longton to face, Florence Tennis Club. The Ladies despite a strong effort lost 3-1, to a strong home team. Leek’s point was collected by Leek’s top seeds Caroline Green & Janet Harden with a convincing and highly impressive 6-4 6-2 win over Florence’s second pair. Unfortunately Leek’s ladies were unable to manage any further success, despite some exceptionally long rallies and impressive defensive play, as Florence collected all 3 remaining rubbers in straight sets.

The men’s B team also began their season with two fixtures in the space of four days. Their first match an away trip to Draycott ended in a strong 4-0 win without the loss of a set. Including an impressive come back from 5-2 down by Dave Bennet and Sam Bostock. The B team then backed up their opening day success with thumping home win over Stone. The B team including two under 16’s players, in Ben Tunnicliffe and Harry Pointon, did not drop a set as they posted a second 4/0 win. With Tunnicliffe and partner Luke Thompson winning their first match 6/0 6/0. In the other rubber, club chairman Frank Murray and 16 year old star Harry Pointon also registered a straight sets win in routine fashion.