Tennis

2nd Team Fixture v Harrogate College v Woodhouse Grove v Harrogate College v College of Ripon &

York St. John Won Won Won

Won 5 -0 4 -2 4—1

5 -0 /. M. Whitehead

1st VI

The season started with fifteen players selected to practise for the first and second team squad. Of these four were colours from the previous year and it transpired that another four were of a similar standard, so again we had strength in depth, with two of the eight playing for the second team when they had a match and greatly strengthening it. It was unfortunate that rain caused the cancellation of three fixtures, particularly so for the 2nd VI as due to shortage of court space, both home and often away, they had fewer opponents.

The first round of the Aberdare Cup Competition had to be played by the 3rd of May and we were unlucky to draw Queen Margaret's in this round as their girls play tennis throughout the year and we had only returned to school the week before. Despite losing, the team battled well with three of the rubbers going to three sets. Rachel Owen-Barnett had an excellent game, fighting for all the points and, as last year, winning in three sets. Katy Ramskill, a talented player new to the school, also went to three sets, leading 3-2 in the third when a decisive result was obtained by Queen Margaret's, so a not too disappointing result!

The next two fixtures against Barnard Castle and Durham in the same week provided little opposition, although some of the games were closer than the 9-0 score suggests. Colette Humphreys played first couple with Rachel, with Nicky Orwell and Katy giving good support at number two. Throughout the season Nicky and Katy played very steadily, showing some good results, and always proving reliable when rubbers were needed.

These pairings continued successfully until Rachel was unable to play due to illness. It was most unfortunate for her (and us!) that she had bouts of ill health during all three terms as her presence strengthened the first teams in all sports. Worksop again provided the best opposition and had an excellent first pair who beat all our couples. However, all three pairs won the remaining rubbers and so had a 6-3 win. Queen Margaret's again fielded a strong team which I felt on the day were beatable but some of our players lacked match play due to exams and the fixture was lost 4-5. Maybe next year!

Four players composed the team for the U. 18 league, playing both singles and doubles. In all a total of nine girls represented this team. Different teams were selected according to the strength of the opposition and this gave the opportunity to play match singles to more girls. Only six rubbers were lost out of a total of forty-two; an excellent result and the trophy was held for the second year.

My thanks to all those who played for both the first and .second teams, with their usual enthusiasm and commitment, and to Colette who was an able captain.

I mention the award of the Shuttleworth Cup at mis point. A joint presentation this year to Katy Pittman and Rachel Owen-Barnett. The cup is presented to a girl who has promoted sport within the school and Katy and Rachel have done this in an outstanding way for five years. They both played at first team level in all four sports (a lthough neither of them quite managed the senior swimming team), and captained netball and hockey respectively. Their level of effort and enthusiasm was always 100% and if they had been in different academic years they would have both been worthy winners in their own right.

The following girls represented the 1st VI:

**C. Humphreys, **R. Owen-Barnett, **K. Pittman, **R. Smith, *N. Orwell, *K. Ramskill, *D. Powley, *F. Alexander.

* denotes colours ** denotes re-award

Results:

v Queen Margaret's Lost (Aberdare Cup) v Barnard Castle Won v Durham Won v Worksop College Won v Woodhouse Grove Won (after 2 rounds) v Queen Margaret's Lost v The Mount Won

U.18 York Team Tennis League v York Vlth Form College Won v Pocklington 'A' Won v The Mount Won v York College Won v Bootham Won v Dunnington Won v Pocklington 'B' Won 1—4

9 -0 9 -0 6 -3 5 -1

4 -5 6 -3

4 -2 5 -1 4 -2 5 -1 6 -0 6 -0 6 -0

2nd VI

The 2nd VI had five fixtures and there were also two 3rd VI matches. They won 9-0 against diree schools and only lost one rubber against Worksop College. Again the only match lost was against Queen Margaret's although the addition of one of four girls sitting an exam hat day would have helped. Caroline Davies and Jessca Ray proved a reliable couple, playing in the team for the second year and all the squad of fifteen players had the opportunity to play.

The House matches were played in a competitive spirit and School House were unlucky to draw DronfieJ d in the first round, losing by twenty points to thirly. The competition was a straight knock-out, counting ihe total number of games won in the early rounds. The final was a short set against each pair. Dronfield had an experienced team, including five first or second team players (a clear