Tennis

TENNIS 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.

The following girls represented the 1st VI:

*Colette Humphreys, *Rowena Smith, **Heidi Clark, *Rachel Owen-Barnett, *01ivia Cameron, *Katy Pittman, Danielle Powley, Caroline Davies. * denotes Colours. ** Re-award.

Results:

v Worksop College Lost v Scarborough College Won v Nabwood (won on sets) Won v Mount St. Mary's Won v Pocklington 'B' team Won v Queen Margaret's Lost v Durham Won v York Vlth Form Colleg Won e Won v Queen Margaret's (Aberdare Cup) Lost v Bootham Won v Ashville/Giggleswick Won v The Mount team Won v Dunnington T.C. team Won v The Mount Won v Bootham team Won v York College team Won v . Pocklington 'A' team Won 2 -7 9 -0 3 -3 8 -1 6 -0 0 -9 9 -0 6 -0

2—4 9 -0 1 2 -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.

Results:

v Worksop College v Queen Margaret's v Durham (2 couples) v The Mount v Pocklington Won Lost Won Won Won 83489-1 -6 -0 -1 -0

House Matches

The House matches were played with a team of six players of any age, playing nine games against each couple. This method of counting games won, holds the interest to the end of the match, particularly for the less talented teams! Temple beat The Grove convincingly in the semi-final by 52-25 whilst Dronfield had an even higher score of 56-13 over Clifton, with some games unfinished. The final of Dronfield v Temple was played with great enthusiasm and determination, with a set against each couple. Rachel and Katy for Temple won three rubbers but the deciding factor was that Dronfield had five 1st or 2nd VI players. The younger players did well but lacked experience, to give Dronfield a 5-4 win.

A special mention should go to Heidi Clark, winner of the Guy Shuttleworth Cup for effort and attitude towards sport and not necessarily sporting ability. Heidi captained and played 1st team hockey, netball and tennis for her two years in the Vlth form. However, since entering the School in St. Olave's she has always been especially organised and helpful, and any games which involved Heidi, really needed no member of staff to be present! A very worthy winner to follow Pip Mortimer who won it last year on its first presentation. Wendy Newton

U.15

The Under 15 squad consisted of seven players, with the first two couples of Faith Alexander and Louise Hudson, Helen Atkinson and Mauricia Hart being the same players that had represented the Under 14 team in the previous year.

In the Midland Bank League, the team had some convincing wins including a couple of 5-1 victories. Having won every match they then qualified for the playoffs, and played Queen Margaret's but unfortunately lost out to a very strong side.

The Under 15 team had some other notable successes, beating Woodhouse Grove, Scarborough College and Mount St. Mary's; all very convincing wins. They played well against The Mount narrowly losing 4-5 (40 games to 41!). Away against Worksop they suffered a 4-5 defeat although there were some close individual games. All the team players had some good performances throughout the season in both their singles and doubles matches. Faith Alexander continues to be the team's most consistent, hardest hitter, and Anna Dixon, Carrie Magee and Jodie Worksop Joseph Rowntree Pocklington Leeds Girls High Queen Margaret's Home Away Away Home Home Won Won Won Lost Lost

Littleboy continued to improve and show promise down the order. lower

Results:

v Pocklington v Scarborough College v Mount St. Mary's v Queen Ethelburga's v York College v Woodhouse Grove v The Mount v Bootham Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Won Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won 4 -2 6 -3 6 -3 4 -2 5 -1 7—2 4—5 5 -1 5-

4-

520-

Girl's Inter-House Tennis

The House tennis was run on a knock-out basis, with Houses raising three pairs from any year, and playing every couple. Dronfield and Temple were the strongest Houses and duly won through to the final. This was very close with some excellent tennis and Dronfield coming through as 5-4 winners. The final placings were: 1st Dronfield 2nd Temple 3rd= Clifton and The Grove

U.14

The Under 14 team had a successful season in the 'York Junior Team League' playing seven matches in total against other Schools' and tennis clubs. The team won four matches, lost two matches and drew 3-3 against The Mount, who were the eventual winners of the league. This match was certainly our best performance of the season with the first pair Preeti Bhat and Vicky Hales beating The Mount's strong first couple 7-6, having been 2-5 down. A good team effort.

The Under 14 squad have a number of good players to choose from, and they developed and improved as the season went on. It was particularly pleasing to see them gaining in confidence at the net and 'having a go' at volleying to win points. The team mainly consisted of Preeti Bhat and Vicky Hales, Rachel Lewis and Zoe Wight, Lucy Richardson and Rebecca Fisher and Alison Calvert.

The team's other outstanding performances included an 8-1 win at Worksop on an extremely hot and windy day, and a 4-2 victory over Leeds Girls' High School. Against Queen Margaret's the team lost 0-9 although the match was closer than the score suggested.

Overall then, they played some very good tennis and had lots of close matches, narrowly losing odd ones on the tight tie-break. We look forward to next season and I am confident in the team's ability to consolidate and built on this year's success.

Results:

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Dunnington York College Tadcaster The Mount Worksop Bootham Pocklington Leeds Girls' High Manor Queen Margaret's Queen Ethelburga's Home Away Home Away Away Away Away Home Away Home Away Won Lost Lost Drew Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won 5 -1 2 -4 2 -4 3 -3 8 -1 4 -2 5 -1 4 -2 4 -2 0 -9 6 -3