Women’s West Hants Tennis Team Claim Play Off Spot

Posted on 18th Jun 2018

 

Sunday 17th June saw the West Hants Women's Tennis Team leave the club at 9am, to travel to Halton Tennis Club, knowing that anything less than a win would eliminate them from this years competition.

 

The 'dream team' of Erin Richardson, Abbie Tyler, Jane Bingham and Debbie Hale was the strongest team available due to injuries to Esther Adeshina, so the team were hopeful of competing hard.

 

The line ups saw West Hants by far an away the underdogs on paper with 3 of the 4 Halton team rated higher than their West Hants equivalent.  Erin Richardson duly disposed of Isabelle Marshall in a routine 6-3, 6-4 victory, Abbie Tyler was a little overwhelmed at 2 and lost to Sophia Mezzone.  Jane Bingham won the battle of the over 6'2" women, beating Scarlett Hutchinson 6-4, 6-3, and Debbie Hale battled in vain against Jasmine Conway, 7-5 in the 3rd set.  This match alone took nearly 3 hours and Debbie battled not only her opponent but the vocal crowd as well.

 

So with the tie level at 2 matches all, it was onto the doubles.  West Hants went with youth in the opening doubles with experience at 2nd pair.  Erin and Abbie narrowly lost 6-4, 6-3, but Debbie and Jane used all their guile to win 7-5, 6-4.

 

For the 3rd time this season, West Hants predicament was to be decided on a tie break shoot out.  The team had discussed this eventuality on the drive to the match, and had decided that Debbie would play at 2, Erin at 1 and should it come to it, Jane and Abbie would play the doubles.

 

Halton also had to win the match in order to progress, so there was plenty of tension and pressure all round as the singles tie breaks were played.  Debbie succumbed for the first time this season, and all hinged on Erin to keep the team in it.  A massive backhand winner secured the breaker 10-8!  And so onto the doubles.  A dream start saw West Hants take a 5-1 lead into the end change, this was built upon, completing the win 10-3.  Back in the minibus for the drive home.  The team arrived back at the club at 9pm, just 12 hours after the start!

 

West Hants will now wait for the draw for the playoff to take place on 2nd July, with the match being played on 21st July.

 

Let's hope for a good draw and hopefully some home support!

 

 

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