2011 News

2011 Season

Finals Day: Saturday 10th September

The Finals of the Colchester and District Friendly Tennis League were held on Saturday 10 September at Spring Lane, Colchester. The Men's Singles final was a hard-fought match between Simon Taylor of West Mersea and Daniel Harty of Dedham, both in their first final. Simon secured the first set 7-5 and then, with the score in the second set at 6-5 and match point, Daniel twisted his knee badly and hit the ball out, thus giving Simon the title. The Ladies' Singles lasted well over 2 hours, with 2008 winner Frances Shaw of Phoenix taking the first set 7-5 before her clubmate, Noriko Kelly, came back to take the second 6-3. Unfortunately, with the score at 2-0 to Frances in the third, Noriko suffered bad cramp and had to retire.

The Men's Doubles was a tough match. The first set went to a tie-break which was eventually won 17-15 by Gerry Borley and Steve Codling. The Dedham pairing of Daniel Harty and Matt Smith fought back well, with Daniel still injured, but the reigning champions took the set 7-5 to win for the third year running. In the Ladies' Doubles Melanie Woods and a refreshed Noriko Kelly of Phoenix put on a fine display to beat Sara Panizza and Gabrielle Hunt of Phoenix and Spring Lane 6-2 6-0 and win the title for the third year running. In the Mixed Doubles, Chris Burridge and Fiona Wray of Spring Lane, last year's Singles champions, took the first set from Phil Bingham and Margaret Mitchell of Wivenhoe 6-2. The second set went to a tie-break but the Spring Lane pair prevailed to take it 7-3 and win the title.

In the Veteran Ladies' Doubles, Margaret Mitchell and Chris Pettman of Wivenhoe proved the stronger pair, beating Ann Dunnell of Phoenix and Eileen Richardson of Colchester Lawn 6-1 6-1. The Veteran Mixed Doubles featured Steve Codling and Sara Panizza of Wivenhoe and Phoenix who won the first set in a tie-break. Gerry Borley and Linda Taylor of Little Clacton and West Mersea then battled back to take the second set 6-4, but the decider went to Steve and Sara 6-2, to win the Don Rampling Trophy. The final match of the day was a repeat of last year's Veteran Men's Doubles final: Steve Codling and Gerry Borley were each playing in their third final of the day but they were unable to beat a delighted Andrew Hodgson and Chris Burridge of Spring Lane, who won 6-4 6-1 to take the title for the first time.

The Committee thanked the volunteer umpires and presented the team shields to Dedham, who won the Ladies' Division, to Maldon who won the Men's Division and to Colchester Lawn who won the Mixed Division.

Mens singles finalists Simon Taylor (West Mersea) (winner) and Dan Harty (Dedham)

Ladies singles finalists Noriko Kelly (Phoenix) and Frances Shaw (Phoenix) (winner)

Mens doubles finalists Gerry Borley (Little Clacton) & Steve Codling (Wivenhoe) (winners); Dan Harty & Matt Smith (Dedham)

Ladies doubles finalists Melanie Woods & Noriko Kelly (Phoenix) (winners); Sara Panizza & Gabrielle Hunt (Phoenix)

Mixed doubles finalists Fiona Wray & Chris Burridge (Spring Lane) (winners); Phil Bingham & Margaret Mitchell (Wivenhoe)

Veteran mens doubles finalists Steve Codling (Wivenhoe); Andrew Hodgson & Chris Burridge (Spring Lane) (winners); Gerry Borley (Little Clacton)

Veteran ladies doubles finalists Ann Dunnell & Eileen Richardson (Phoenix/Colchester Lawn); Chris Pettman & Margaret Mitchell (Wivenhoe) (winners)

Veteran mixed doubles finalists Contenders for the Don Rampling Cup Sara Panizza & Steve Codling (Phoenix/Wivenhoe) (winners); Linda Taylor (West Mersea) & Gerry Borley (Little Clacton)

13th April
The AGM was held on Wednesday 6th April 2011. The following clubs have affiliated to the Friendly League for the 2011 season and have entered the following teams:

1st April

The Friendly League AGM will be held on Wednesday 6th April at the Spring Lane Pavillion starting at 7.30pm.

News from previous years

• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003

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