Match Reports 23 - 29 April 2017

Keswick and Braithwaite Tennis Club Report Week 23/29 April.

Keswick’s tennis teams were again in action this week in the West Cumbria Leagues. Although the grass courts in Fitz Park are not yet ready for play this season the all-weather ones at Braithwaite guarantee that matches will be played.

It was great weather for Keswick ladies 1st team to play away against Lorton 2 on Wednesday evening with no wind, rain or horizontal sun in their eyes which was a refreshing change. Keswick first pair Clare Pinkney and Julie Saxton played well against Lorton's first pair with some good competitive tennis. They won both sets 6-4 6-3. Meanwhile Keswick second pair Sally Huit and Rachel Bazire were dominant in their match against the second pair winning 6-0 6-3 and allowing themselves a refreshment break while waiting for Julie and Clare to finish. So at the halfway mark Keswick held a good lead at 4 sets to 0.

Clare and Julie then enjoyed a much more relaxed second match and went for all their shots against the weaker second pair winning 6-0 6-0 and allowing themselves a chance to watch the other match.

Sally and Rachel had the harder battle and had to up their game against the stronger first pair to cope with their expert serves, volleys and spin shots proving so effective on the astroturf surface. They lost the first set 1-6 but adjusted well with a spirited come back in the second set which they narrowly lost 4-6 against the amazing backdrop of the sunset glowing over Whiteside. Ultimately it was a satisfying win for Keswick, 6 sets to 2 overall and 2 points on the table. Our next match is at home on May 2nd which will be tougher proposition against current division champions Lorton 1.

The Men’s 1st team played Whitehaven 1 at home on a dry but cold evening. Keswick's 1st pair, Dougal Atack and Rob Saxton started strongly taking the first set easily, 6-1. However the more experienced Whitehaven team changed tactics and at 3-2 down in the 2nd set won the next 4 games in row resulting 1 set each.

The new pair of the season of Rob Moir and David Lake followed up last week’s winning performance, dominating the first two sets, taking them 6-2, 6-3. They then faced Whitehaven's 1st pair and despite competing strongly throughout with some epic rallies they lost both sets 3-6. As a result Dougal and Rob needed to win both sets to guarantee victory. Light was fading fast and there were a few anxious moments however they won their sets 6-2, 6-3 in an efficient display, keeping the points short.

Two wins from two matches is a great start to the season but the hardest fixtures are ahead, starting with Maryport 1 next week.

On Thursday evening Keswick's men's 2nd team hosted a strong Harrington quartet on the all-weather courts at Braithwaite. The cold gloomy evening turned to rain as the last games were concluded in the encroaching twilight. Neither of Keswick's pairings could make much impression on the Harrington first couple, though they both saw off the challenge of their second couple without a great deal of difficulty. Although the match was a draw 4-4 in sets, a count of games won resulted in Keswick being narrowly piped at the post 31-35. Despite a rather shaky start to the season, the club's strength in depth this year suggests that a win for the second team cannot be long denied them. Keswick's players were Mike Green and Martin Pavlu at first couple supported by Pete Armstrong partnering Kevin Pratt as second pair.