Mens III away to N/Land VI Mon. 11th June 2018

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David & Jonny           Tony & Vince       Peter T & Andrew                                                                      After a cracking start to the season the Mens III came crashing down to earth with an 11-7, 85 games to 66 loss to a steady N/Land VI team.

Bad luck came in the first round when Pistol Jonny suffered a back injury in only the second set of the night and although he bravely played a third set he had to retire hurt. This meant that having taken the opposition top couple to 6-4 in the first set the injury meant that they never got the chance to play the two very beatable couples. This result looks to have ended any hopes of winning the league but Skipper David says he's never gonna give it up.

Top couple yet again were Tony & Vince, who after leading 4-2 against N/Land 1st couple, lost a tie break 7-5 for their first losing set in the group this season. Their 5 sets were not enough to carry the day and even a sixth would have made no difference to the result.

Andrew stepped up to play his first match for the third team and along with partner Peter T was in fine form taking two tie break sets against the opposition second couple. It went a bit downhill from there as they lost the next four. A brave effort nonetheless.  Peter heads off to Rhodes now for a fortnight's holiday with tennis coaching - let's hope he takes something onboard this year while Andrew is straight back into action on 12/6/18 with his fourth team at home to Cullercoats. 

With very little tennis on the night Skip David was left spectating for most of the evening. He looked a forlorn figure, hood up, blanket over his knees, wondering if he would get back to the care home that night. With thoughts of his free wimbledon trip and singing some of his most favourite 80's tunes he just about survived the night. 

Mens IV away to Northumberland VII 8th June 2018

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Andrew (capt.) & Eric       Peter & Jack      James & Oran                                                                      Another tough match for our fourths saw them go down 13-5 and 89 games to 50 at the County Ground. Andrew & Eric securing 3 sets, James & Oran 1 set but by far the highlight was surely Peter & Jack taking their first ever set together - for those who have followed their progress will know how good this moment is - well done boys from everyone at the club.

Ladies Vets II away to Northumberland 9th May 2018

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Joan & Kath S (capt.)                 Kath J  & Yvonne                                                                                  A great start by our Ladies as Capt. Kath S and partner Joan won 3 sets to set up victory as Kath J & Yvonne halved both their rounds for a fine two set haul to take Shotley over the line by 5-3 and 43 games to 40           A fine performance all round at a ground where it is always tough to win. Well done Ladies. 

Mens III home v Stocksfield III 7th June 2018

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Tony & Vince     David (skipper) & Pistol Jonny     Ian & Dennis                                                            A  glorious night for tennis saw a few lucky spectators treated to another fine performance from Skip David and his team as our boys took the match 12-5 ( with one set ended by the time cut-off at 4-1 )  and 85 games to 64.  Taking up where they left off in the first game Tony & Vince kept up their 100% set record winning all 5 of their completed sets, including 2 tie breaks. Again David & Jonny managed 4 sets with yet another new pairing saw Ian & Dennis take their last 3 sets after a somewhat nervy start.

Next match is Mon 11th June away to N/Land VI but with Dennis and John unavailable and Ian under the surgeon's knife  the Skip will have to draft in a 4th teamer to play up with Peter who will be getting his first run out in the team.

Mens III home v Corbridge II 10th May 2018

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Vince & Tony          David & Jonny      Ian & John                                                                                   First game of the season for our Mens II saw some changes from last year. New Captain David paired up with Pistol Jonny who was making his debut in this league while stalwart John paired up with Ian who has / is plagued with injury but turns out with all manner of supports and pills to keep playing. Shotley easily got the better of the visitors with a resounding 12-6 sets and 90 games to 58 victory.  Top pair were Tony and Vince who rolled back the years, taking six sets for the first time in many a season. Skipper David managed to keep his partner Pistol Jonny firing mainly winners to take four sets while Ian & John chipped in with a valuable two sets. A promising start.

Mens II home v Collingwood II 3rd May 2018

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Steven (capt.) & Darren        Phillip & Alex     Joe & Philip                                                                    A flying start to the season for our Mens II team as new capt. Steven led from the front as he and partner Darren romped to six sets as did Alex & Phillip. The third pairing of Joe & Philip, after beating the opposing top pair 6-0 in the first set, lost the only set of the night by 4-6 but that couldn't put a dampner on the night and hopes must be high for promotion.  

Mens II Home to David Lloyd Ncle III. Thursday 31st May 2018

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Alex(captain) & Darren   Joe & Philip    Peter & David

Zeros to Heroes, Donuts to Dynamite, Bagels to Brilliant - after questions were asked about their performance last week The Bagel Boys ( Joe & Philip ) bounced back to answer the critic with the lead role in a 17 - 1 emphatic win over a brave but battered David Lloyd Newcastle third string.            

With captain Steven confined to his sickbed the armband went to Alex, who with the Reverend away in Edinburgh, paired up with Darren to play as number one couple. Third pair was made up of Peter, making his season debut and David playing up from his usual berth as Men’s III captain.

The first round went well until Alex and Darren suffered an inexplicable lapse to lose their second set 4 - 6 and although they won the next 4 sets comfortably they ended the night as bottom pair with The Bagel Boys taking top spot from Peter and David by a single game.

So a 17 - 1  , 106 games to 42 victory keeps the team on track for the desired promotion but gives captain Steven some tricky selection problems. Does he bring himself back, will the Reverend’s prays be answered with a recall, will this weeks heroes be moved up to number one pair or will some pairs be split. Watch this space or even better come along and support them.

Mixed Vets II home to Jesmond II Tue. 29th May 2018

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Stephen (capt.) & Silvia                Jan & Keith                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        A close fought battle with regular adversaries Jesmond saw Shotley draw 4 sets all but take the game by 40 games to 34                                                                                                                        Star performers on the night, winning three of the four sets, were Stephen & Silvia with Jan & Keith chipping in with not only a vital set but enough games in losing sets to secure victory.  A lesson for other teams in how to win when things aren't going to plan.   

Ladies II home to David Lloyd Ncle III 24th May 2018

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Shannon (capt.) & Jan      Yvonne & Angela      Ursula & Jane                                                                                                                                                                                                                              New captain Shannon, with partner Jan urging the team on, could not quite get over the line in two losing tie breaks resulting in a 9 - 7 defeat with two sets unfinished due to the ten-o-clock deadline. I watched the whole match and the ladies deserved better on the night but they can look forward to the next match with confidence, especially as they will have more like their full squad to pick from.                                                                                                            A special thanks to our dual members from Lanchester, Jane & Ursula, who stepped in at the last minute and took a very creditable 3 sets.  

Mens II away to Ponteland II 15th May 2018

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Steven (capt.) & Darren          The Reverend & Alex           Joe & Phil                                                                                                                                                                                                                    After a comfortable 12 - 6 home win to start the season new captain Steven ( along with sleeping co - captain Alex ) took the fight to Ponteland in their first away match.  A tremendous battle ensued with The Reverend & Alex, having lost a tie break in the first set needing to get 2 games in the final set of the night to secure victory by one game. With the rest of the two teams watching on they did just that to triumph 9 - 9 in sets but by 69 games to 68. If they were the heroes of the hour then close behind them came Steven & Darren who topped the night with 4 sets. Alas the story almost had two pantomime villains, who having disposed of their opposite pair by 6 - 2, 6 - 1 then proceeded to lose the next four sets by 6 -0, 6 - 0, 6- 0, 6 - 0  unheard of in my 28yrs at the club. I won't name them, one to protect his wife Angela and the other to protect his son Jake and his dad Vince but i hear they are to open a donut & bagel shop.                                                                                                                            This acount of the match was brought to you straight from the horse's mouth - his name is Michael. 

 The win keeps the team on track for a possible promotion - try and catch a home game if you can as they are playing some of the best tennis at the club.          

Mens IV home to Collingwood III 15th May 2018

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Andrew (capt.) & Rob     Peter & Jack     Oran & James                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Another tough night for our valiant Mens IV boys as they lost by 12 - 6 at home to Collingwood III  Andrew and partner Rob chipped in with 2 sets while Peter & Jack battled bravely but were unable to take their first set together - but it will come boys - keep digging in.  Again the stars of the team with 4 sets were Oran & James  - another magnificent effort from them. I can see other captains wanting these boys in future seasons.              

Mens IV away to Jesmond III 9th May 2018

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Andrew (capt. ) & Eric     Peter & Jack          Oran & James                                                                    The Mens IV kicked of their league programme with a tough away match at Jesmond resulting in a 14 - 4 defeat. The team should take heart from the performance of Oran & James who secured 2 sets on their senior tennis debut - well done indeed. Another new captain had a somewhat depleted squad to choose from but credit new boy Peter and even newer boy Jack for their sterling efforts while stalwart Eric teamed up with Andrew to take the other 2 sets.

Keep it going boys

Vets Mens III away v Morpeth I 1/5/18

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Back on the club committee and taking a captain's armband for the first time in 7 seasons Vince and regular partner Tony joined Volunteer of the yr. David and Tennis Dennis in a new look team.   Sadly, a fine night for tennis was not matched by the performance and our boys were well and truly thrashed by 8 - 0, only the number two pair of the capt. and club Chairman putting up any resistance and then only against the Morpeth second string.

The evening only got worse as David explained how excited he was about his up and coming free trip to Wimbledon and the after play cocktail party. I'm sure you all join me and the team in hoping the prawns are dodgy.

Note to captain - must do better.