LEAGUE RESULTS & MATCH REPORTS FOR HARLINGTON TEAMS PLAYING IN THE SOUTH BEDS SUMMER LEAGUE 2003. YOU CAN FIND OUT THE LATEST POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS BY VISITING www.south-beds-tennis.vze.com


HARLINGTON 'A' - SOUTH BEDS LEAGUE DIVISION 2

SATURDAY 26th APRIL v LUTON CO-OP 'A' (AWAY)

WON 14-2

Sam Thrower and James Tapping stepped out for this, the first match of the summer. The boys were always in control in the doubles (if a little rusty!) and won the set 6-4. James continued his winning ways in the singles coming home comfortably 6-2, 6-2. Sam was made to work a little harder, losing the first set before taking control to win the next two and getting the A team off to a good start.

SATURDAY 14th JUNE v EATON BRAY 'A'

WON 14-0

Sam and James on good form again in this match. The doubles was won convincingly 6-2 with Sam particularly dominant, controlling most of the points. He carried on this good play in his singles match, losing only one game. James looked to have the more difficult opponent but he showed what a gritty player he can be with his defensive shots being particularly impressive. A well deserved win with the loss of only two games followed and on this form these two are going to be tough to beat.

SATURDAY 12th JULY v LUTON & VAUXHALL 'B' (HOME)

LOST 14-4

Sam and James braved blistering hot conditions to play in this red hot match! Taking an early 4-1 lead in the doubles they looked to be in control despite one of the visitors being 16 and at least 6'4" tall but they were eventually pegged back before losing 7-5. James, suffering from a throat infection, enjoyed plenty of long, hard fought rallies with little to chose between either player. He lost the first set narrowly 6-3 before coming back strongly in the next to take it 6-1. Sadly the conditions were against him and he lost the decider to love but it was a gutsy effort nevertheless. Sam's singles was also a tough battle with some huge serves and powerful ground strokes from both players. Fortunes again fluctuated as Sam won the first set 6-3 before losing the second 6-1. The deciding set was a cracker as both players were suffering in the heat and there was never much between them but it was the visitor that finally triumphed. We couldn't have asked for more commitment than James and Sam showed in this match and despite losing they should be very proud of themselves. Certainly their opponents, who will surely be champions in this division, were very respectful and realized how close they were to losing

SATURDAY 19th JULY v EDLESBOROUGH (AWAY)

WON 12-4

Another close match for Sam & James here but with a win at the end of it! In a close set of doubles, the boys got off to a slow start but came good at the right time to win 6-4. James continued in good form, always looking in control against a less experienced player to win in straight sets. Sam had the tougher match however against a player with a very similar style. Sam won the first set comfortably but his opponent put up a good fight in the second set which was very close and forced a decider. There were numerous high quality rallies throughout the match and Sam did amazingly well to win some of the points but sadly he faded towards the end and lost 6-2. A good overall win however and with just one match to go there is a good chance of promotion albeit behind Luton & Vauxhall!


MONDAY 11th AUGUST HARLINGTON 'A' (SAM THROWER & JAMES TAPPING) v HARLINGTON 'B' (WILLS ORRISS & OLLIE GILES)

'B' TEAM WON 10-4

This was a super way to end the season! Played in excellent spirit, the doubles was, as expected, very close. Wills and Ollie worked well together from the start going into a 4-1 lead before being pegged back to 4-4. Wills in particular looked sharp and with some excellent assistance from Ollie wrapped up the set 6-4. Whilst Sam did not play that well in the doubles, he certainly got his act together in the singles and he and Wills produced some superb tennis. There were numerous quality rallies with Wills more prepared to come into the net while Sam slogged it out from the back of the court. Sam took the first set 6-3 but the second was even closer with Wills giving it his all. Sam proved too strong on the day however as he won 7-5 to gain some much needed points. The first set between James and Ollie was another close encounter. Ollie showed excellent consistancy to win 6-4 and at this point the intense heat started to take its toll on James and he visibly tired as Ollie won through with the loss of only one more game. A great effort from the 'B' team then which will help them to stay in division 2 but could mean that the 'A' team miss out on promotion. They will both have to wait on the outcome of the remaining matches involving other teams before they find out their fate!


HARLINGTON 'B' - SOUTH BEDS LEAGUE DIVISION 2

SATURDAY 3rd MAY v LUTON & VAUXHALL 'B' (AWAY)

LOST 14-2

Ollie Giles and Matt Nolan made the trip to Vauxhall for this match. Lacking practice, they succumbed in the doubles 6-2. This was always going to be a tough match and so it proved with Matt losing his singles in straight sets. There was a glimmer of hope when, after losing the first set easily, Ollie upped his game to win a gruelling second set. But sadly his opponent recovered well and took the decider 6-3. The boys won't have a harder match than to play this team on their home turf so they shouldn't be too disheartened.

SATURDAY 10th MAY v LUTON CO-OP 'A' (HOME)

LOST 10-4

Ollie & Matt played their second match in a week here. Again the doubles proved to be a problem for them, losing the set 6-2. Ollie had only just finished a football match but had plenty of stamina left for his singles, taking control at once to come out victorious with the loss of only one game! Matt showed good fighting qualities but this wasn't enough as he lost in straight sets.

SATURDAY 17th MAY v EATON BRAY 'B' (AWAY)

LOST 14-2

Ollie was joined by Wills Orriss for this match which was played in very poor weather conditions. The boys performed fairly well in the doubles, narrowly losing 6-4. Wills never got into his stride in his singles match, winning only one game much to his frustration. Ollie put up a good fight in his match, just winning the first set on a tie break before losing the next two 6-4, 7-5 - couldn't have been closer!

SATURDAY 28th JUNE v EDLESBOROUGH (HOME)

WON 14-0 WALKOVER

Match called off at very last minute by Edlesborough so we had no choice but to claim a win.


HARLINGTON U13'S - SOUTH BEDS LEAGUE UNDER 13'S DIVISION

SATURDAY 10th MAY v TODDINGTON (AWAY)

LOST 14-0

On paper this looks a terrible result but we must commend Nick Giles and Sanjiv Gandecha for their valiant efforts in their first ever league match against boys 2 years older & with far more experience! We warned them this would be very difficult and so it proved with Nick the only one to win any games (2 in his first singles set). But to their credit they enjoyed playing and they will have few harder matches. Definitely 2 names to watch for in the near future!

SATURDAY 17th MAY v LEIGHTON BUZZARD (AWAY)

LOST 14-2

A difficult trip to Leighton Buzzard for James Deakin and debutant Pat McLaughlin made worse by a change of venue at the last minute! On the unfamiliar astroturf courts, the pair looked nervous but dug in well to keep it close at 3-3 before losing the next three games. James had the unenviable task of playing an 11 year old county player and despite getting some excellent winners, lost in straight sets. Pat faired much better, winning the first set well before losing the second and the ensuing tie-break decider. A gritty performance and will only grow in strength with more matches.

SATURDAY 31st MAY v DUNSTABLE (HOME)

LOST 10-4

Two more debutants for this match in the shape of Phil Draycott and Carl Smith. In the blistering heat, the pair were very nervous for the doubles set and were comprehensively beaten 6-0. This affected them in contrasting ways however, as Carl made a determined effort to win his singles in straight sets. Phil looked rather disheartened but still managed to play some fabulous, flowing backhand winners before finally losing in two sets. Not a bad result against a good team and it won't be long before Phil and Carl are on the winning team.

SATURDAY 7th JUNE v LUTON & VAUXHALL (HOME)

LOST 14-0

Nick Giles and Pat McLaughlin had another outing for this match against another good side. The doubles was over very quickly 6-0 with some excellent serving from the opposition having a lot to do with the one-sided scoreline. Not at all downhearted, the boys got down to the singles, showing great resistance against older & obviously more experienced players. Nick in particular put in a great deal of effort, often winning points which looked to be lost and he should take a great deal of pride in the 5 games he won. Pat is still not back to full fitness after his illness but he kept fighting to the end using the lob to good effect on several occasions and he also won 5 games overall. We knew we were never going to win anything this year but the players are gaining valuable experience which will put them in a far stronger position for next season.

SATURDAY 14th JUNE v LUTON CO-OP (AWAY)

LOST 14-2

Another very encouraging performance from Nick and Pat here. Now becoming a regular pairing, they showed their usual high level of commitment, narrowly losing the doubles set 6-4. Both these players are improving with each match they play and Nick again won games in each of his singles sets but could not overcome his older opponent. Pat managed to win the first set 6-4 but in what proved to be a very close match, could not quite cross the winning line as he was finally beaten in three sets.

SATURDAY 21st JUNE v LINSLADE (AWAY)

LOST 10-4

Carl and Phil played in this tough tie at Linslade. Looking nervous at the start of the doubles, the boys were soon dropping behind but once they got into the swing they made a valiant comeback before losing 6-3. Carl was the no.1 for this match and he showed what a gritty player he is by coming from a set down to win in three with the loss of only three games in the last 2 sets to maintain his unbeaten run. Phil was less comfortable and despite some good shots, was beaten in straight sets.

SATURDAY 5th JULY v STUDHAM (HOME)

WON 12-2

An excellent performance from Nick Giles and Phil Draycott in this match with each player claiming his first ever victory! Never having played together before, Nick and Phil took time to get to know each other's game and by then it was too late and the doubles was lost 6-3. Both players improved noticably in their respective singles matches, however, Phil winning 6-0, 6-0 and Nick (as no.1) dropping only two games in each set. It's been a long wait but we finally have a win for this team and this will give their confidence a huge lift. Fantastic performance!

SATURDAY 19th JULY v EDLESBOROUGH (HOME)

LOST 14-0

Sanjiv partnered first timer Edward Walter for this match against two much more experienced players. An established partnership, Sanjiv and Edward played well together in the doubles, but were well beaten 6-2. Both boys battled hard and never gave up in their singles matches but they were always going to be up against it and Sanjiv lost without winning a game while Edward at least managed a game in each set. They still managed to enjoy themselves despite the defeat and they know their time will come!