Rachel Whiteside, who was part of a 14-and-under squad that only conceded two games in the entire contest

THE Totally Tennis performance players have been in impressive form in the early matches of this year's National Junior Club League (NJCL) in the initial county stages of the competition.

The boys' 18-and-under team, captained by Matt Church, along with Luke Miles, Simon James and Eliot Rowberry, travelled to Southampton to play against the team from David Lloyd, winning with a nail-biting victory in the last match of the day.

In the four singles matches, Miles made short work of Daniel West, winning 6-0, 6-0, and Rowberry proved too good for Aaron Keen, beating him 7-5, 6-1.

Church had a tense 6-3, 6-3 win over Oliver Gregory, while number one James was pitted against highly-rated Michael Johnson.

James played much better than the scoreline suggests, as Johnson won the match 6-3, 6-1.

In the two doubles matches, Miles and Rowberry beat West and Chris Braxton 6-1, 6-2, but Church and James were unlucky against David Lloyd's top pairing of Johnson and Keen, who took the rubber 6-3, 6-0.

The overall scoreline gave Totally Tennis an 8-4 victory and maintained their unbeaten record in this year's competition.

A special mention must go to Ben Jubin, the fifth team member who travelled to Southampton, but was not used.

The boys' 14-and-under team beat Winchester in a recent home tie with the team of Alex Gasson, James Colpus, Ross Catlin and Liam Church.

In the singles, Gasson, Colpus and Catlin all won in straight sets. Church also won - 10-8 in the third set tie-break - after a gruelling match lasting almost two hours, with the second set also going to a tie-break.

The overall result was 12-0 to the Totally Tennis team, after both teams won the doubles matches in straight sets.

Also in action were the girls' 14-and-under team, who beat Alverstoke, winning all six rubbers and only conceding two games in the whole match.

The strong team included Rachel Whiteside, Hannah Stratton, Sophie Hall and Holly Edwards.

The girls' 16-and-under team have yet to finish a match disturbed by rain in Bournemouth, against Victoria Road Tennis Club.

The revised fixture will take place at Totally Tennis.

Stephanie Catlin and Whiteside both won their singles, but Aimee Paterson and Stratton were unlucky in their rubbers, so there is all to play for.

NJCL organiser David Kirby said: "It's another great start to the season by our players and, once again, we are the only club in Basingstoke to represent the town in this national competition, which gives all the players great competitive opportunities and experience."

5:03pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

Print

Email this