Captains' Reports
Photo of the winning team after their defeat of Onslow Village LT Club and securing their promotion to Division 1 (L-R) Ian Simpkin, Ken Hogan, Paul Jameson, Duncan Foster, Neil Howard
MEN'S
When I delivered my report to you last year I was optimistic about the future of men's tennis at West Surrey Tennis Club. Well, that optimism has been well rewarded with excellent performances from our men's teams.
Last summer we entered two teams in the Chaucer League, both being in the same division.
The Men's 1st team won the division, with the 2nds finishing in a credible 3rd position and only narrowly missing out on a promotion place.
Ironically, the only match that the 1sts lost was to the 2nds in a marathon session that went on long after anything that could have been reasonably predicted!
Cold & windy weather
During the winter, we entered one team into the Aldershot & District Lawn Tennis League, and after some early close matches, the team shifted into overdrive and won the remainder of their matches convincingly to win the division and have been promoted to Division 1.
Some of the weather conditions our men played in were difficult to say the least, indeed, we had to postpone and rearrange a number of fixtures, and, as I witnessed for myself when I went to support them in their final match away against Onslow Village. It was particularly cold and windy and I wimped out and retreated to the clubhouse to watch the rubbers from there. We needed to win well to guarantee promotion and the team did not let me down winning 8 sets to love, meaning that the second placed team could not catch them.
I also observed great camaraderie amongst the players and a real determination to win!
I will not embarrass the players by naming them individually, they know who they are. However, I would like to thank them all for their commitment as well as congratulating them for their excellent performances, and for raising the profile of West Surrey Tennis Club.
Organised tennis sessions...
During the winter months we experimented with organised tennis evenings on a Tuesday evening. Emily introduced this to the club, and this year we tweaked her ideas to try and create a programme of play where priority would be given to those members playing in club matches. In addition, our club coach Mike facilitated some drills sessions which were designed to help our players tune-up their skills with routines that just playing tennis does not always provide.
I have sought feedback from our players regarding the organised tennis evenings and drills sessions, which, overwhelmingly supports their continuation not just throughout the winter but also the summer.
The feedback has suggested that organised evenings have contributed to the success of our teams because it has focussed on match practice and allows team players to play together in their pairings before a match.
Because players know in advance that they will be ‘matched up’ in a predetermined time slot they have said that they are more likely to turn up and play, even when the weather forecast is poor. Indeed, only last Tuesday, matches were being played in the rain because of the commitment to turn up that organised evenings tends to encourage. As well as this, court utilisation and player attendance have increased.
Additional teams...
I hope to be able to enter 2 teams in the winter league next year.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow committee members for their collective contributions in improving the situation the tennis club now finds itself in. Last year there was some uncertainty over the future of our club, and I now know that we are in a much happier position, which I can tell you has not come about by chance.
The Golf Club board have also been very positive in its desire to improve their relationship with the tennis club and they should also be congratulated for their efforts.
Personally, I think our club is in a good position and we should all benefit from the efforts that have been made behind the scenes on our behalf.
Carlton Crathern
Men's Captain
When I delivered my report to you last year I was optimistic about the future of men's tennis at West Surrey Tennis Club. Well, that optimism has been well rewarded with excellent performances from our men's teams.
Last summer we entered two teams in the Chaucer League, both being in the same division.
The Men's 1st team won the division, with the 2nds finishing in a credible 3rd position and only narrowly missing out on a promotion place.
Ironically, the only match that the 1sts lost was to the 2nds in a marathon session that went on long after anything that could have been reasonably predicted!
Cold & windy weather
During the winter, we entered one team into the Aldershot & District Lawn Tennis League, and after some early close matches, the team shifted into overdrive and won the remainder of their matches convincingly to win the division and have been promoted to Division 1.
Some of the weather conditions our men played in were difficult to say the least, indeed, we had to postpone and rearrange a number of fixtures, and, as I witnessed for myself when I went to support them in their final match away against Onslow Village. It was particularly cold and windy and I wimped out and retreated to the clubhouse to watch the rubbers from there. We needed to win well to guarantee promotion and the team did not let me down winning 8 sets to love, meaning that the second placed team could not catch them.
I also observed great camaraderie amongst the players and a real determination to win!
I will not embarrass the players by naming them individually, they know who they are. However, I would like to thank them all for their commitment as well as congratulating them for their excellent performances, and for raising the profile of West Surrey Tennis Club.
Organised tennis sessions...
During the winter months we experimented with organised tennis evenings on a Tuesday evening. Emily introduced this to the club, and this year we tweaked her ideas to try and create a programme of play where priority would be given to those members playing in club matches. In addition, our club coach Mike facilitated some drills sessions which were designed to help our players tune-up their skills with routines that just playing tennis does not always provide.
I have sought feedback from our players regarding the organised tennis evenings and drills sessions, which, overwhelmingly supports their continuation not just throughout the winter but also the summer.
The feedback has suggested that organised evenings have contributed to the success of our teams because it has focussed on match practice and allows team players to play together in their pairings before a match.
Because players know in advance that they will be ‘matched up’ in a predetermined time slot they have said that they are more likely to turn up and play, even when the weather forecast is poor. Indeed, only last Tuesday, matches were being played in the rain because of the commitment to turn up that organised evenings tends to encourage. As well as this, court utilisation and player attendance have increased.
Additional teams...
I hope to be able to enter 2 teams in the winter league next year.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow committee members for their collective contributions in improving the situation the tennis club now finds itself in. Last year there was some uncertainty over the future of our club, and I now know that we are in a much happier position, which I can tell you has not come about by chance.
The Golf Club board have also been very positive in its desire to improve their relationship with the tennis club and they should also be congratulated for their efforts.
Personally, I think our club is in a good position and we should all benefit from the efforts that have been made behind the scenes on our behalf.
Carlton Crathern
Men's Captain
Aldershot & District league - Rankings
Chaucer Division 3 - Men's Past Winners
LADIES'
Ladies' Captain, Denise Woods reported the midweek ladies team came second to David Lloyd, Woking, by just one point. Unfortunately the ladies had to withdraw one team from the Surrey Winter League, due to other commitments and the remaining team still has one more game to play and hopes to retain it's place in division 8. The midweek ladies have been promoted again and are now in division 4, having won over Team Will to Win from Sheen, by just one point. Many thanks to Emily for looking after the first team.
Ladies' Captain, Denise Woods reported the midweek ladies team came second to David Lloyd, Woking, by just one point. Unfortunately the ladies had to withdraw one team from the Surrey Winter League, due to other commitments and the remaining team still has one more game to play and hopes to retain it's place in division 8. The midweek ladies have been promoted again and are now in division 4, having won over Team Will to Win from Sheen, by just one point. Many thanks to Emily for looking after the first team.
Chaucer Ladies Midweek - Past Winners
MIXED
Mixed Captain, David Layard-Horsfall reported that two teams were entered in the Chaucer League. The second team did very well with Neil Howard and Mel Redman being promoted to the top league. He reiterated the positive impact Mike Henry’s input has had on team performance.
Mixed Captain, David Layard-Horsfall reported that two teams were entered in the Chaucer League. The second team did very well with Neil Howard and Mel Redman being promoted to the top league. He reiterated the positive impact Mike Henry’s input has had on team performance.
Chaucer Division 2 - Mixed - Winners
