TENNIS
Results: v Worksop College v Scarborough College v Nabwood (won on sets) v Mount St. Mary's v Pocklington 'B' team v Queen Margaret's v Durham v York Vlth Form College v Queen Margaret's (Aberdare Cup) v Bootham v Ashville/Giggleswick v The Mount team v Dunnington T.C. team v The Mount v Bootham team v York College team v . Pocklington 'A' team
1st VI It was unusual to start the season with none of the potential first team players, either in a set pair, or with a preference of who to play with. The first two sessions were spent trying to work out the pairings so it was unfortunate that we played Worksop College so early, on April 30th. They usually prove to be one of our strongest opponents and it was to be no exception this year. The eventual 1st VI played in this match but not in their final pairings. Colette Humphreys and Rachel Owen-Barnett, Heidi Clark and Olivia Cameron each won a rubber and Rowena Smith and Katy Pittman were unlucky to lose one rubber by five games to six. The next match against Scarborough College was easily won and the following day the team of four — Colette, Rowena, Rachel and Heidi had an excellent win against Nabwood School from Bradford in the Aberdare Cup. The rubbers were even at three all but the match was won on the sets total. By the beginning of May it was decided to pair Colette and Rowena together as 1st couple with Rachel and Heidi at No. 2. Katy and Olivia proved to be a reliable 3rd pair, attacking well at the net but playing groundstrokes with consistency. The following five fixtures were won convincingly but as usual the result against Queen Margaret's was not good. Although the games were often close the girls didn't always have the final determination to win the rubbers. The result should certainly not have been 0-9 as shown when we drew them in the second round of the Aberdare Cup ten days later. Although we lost 2-4 Rowena had an excellent win by two sets to one in her singles as did Rachel who was not well, but battled with her usual determination to win 2-0. The match against Ashville College was interesting, as we only knew a couple of days in advance that it was not only a triangular fixture with Giggleswick but also to be all singles. The girls all won easily against both Schools but were not so enthusiastic at being asked to 'ball boy' when they weren't playing! The team did very well in the U. 18 York Team Tennis league playing seven matches and winning them all to retain the trophy won last year. The Mount proved to be the strongest opposition where there were hard-fought games with long rallies before we won 4-2. Colette and Rowena playing at No's. 1 and 2 respectively showed great ability in an all-round game. Both of them hit deep consistent drives and also displayed positive, attacking net play. Rowena has shown much progress since being selected to play for York L.T.C. at both mixed and ladies doubles. Rachel and Heidi always play with 100% effort and are prepared to play the ball in court and not be the first to make a mistake. The team is well placed to do even better next year with four Colours remaining at School.
Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Won Won
2-7 9-0 3-3 8-1 6-0 0-9 9-0 6-0
Lost Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Won
2—4 9-0 12-0 4—2 5-1 6-2 5-1 6-0 5-1
2nd VI Again we had strength in depth with nine people representing the 2nd VI of whom four were Vth year and three L.VIth so we have a nucleus of good players already for the next season. Caroline Davies and Jessica Ray, both Vth years, who had played together for the previous two years, were the only established pairing, so as with the 1st team, time had to be spent deciding on partnerships. The team pairings altered through the season but Jessica and Caroline played all but one of the fixtures and continued their improvement from last year. They made particular progress with their net play and showed determination in winning. The team had only five fixtures with cancellations from Leeds Girls H.S., Hymers, Barnard Castle and Bootham — some — what a disappointment. School's seem to find it increasingly difficult to honour fixtures if made after half term. Other than the fixture against Queen Margaret's the team lost only two rubbers in four matches — an excellent result. They lost 3-6 to Queen Margaret's with all pairs beating the opposing 3rd couple. Again there were some good games and the 3rd pair of Karen Blythe and Lorna Highet had the best games total (15) of the afternoon, equalling the score of Rowena and Colette from the 1st team. Clare Neale finally had her wish to play with Danielle Powley, who was unlucky not to be in the 1st VI on a regular basis. When her first serve was on form it was virtually unreturnable. Clare made good progress, particularly with her service and net play. The following girls represented the 2nd VI: Philly Bundy, Natasha Kershaw, Clare Neale, Lorna Highet, Cathy Dixon, Jessica Ray, Caroline Davies, Danielle Powley, Karen Blythe.
The following girls represented the 1st VI: *Colette Humphreys, *Rowena Smith, **Heidi Clark, *Rachel Owen-Barnett, *01ivia Cameron, *Katy Pittman, Danielle Powley, Caroline Davies.
Results: v Worksop College v Queen Margaret's v Durham (2 couples) v The Mount v Pocklington
* denotes Colours. ** Re-award. 75
Won Lost Won Won Won
8--1 3- -6 4- -0 8--1 9--0
