Dorchester’s tennis teams need congratulating following a successful summer league season.
Not only did the Men’s 1st team gain promotion in the Aegon National Club League to the National division by winning the Dorset League and then their play-off match against a tough team from Bristol, they then went on to win the Dorset League doubles title as well. The Club Coach, Kevin Willemse, captained both of the winning teams. The Aegon squad consisted of Kevin, Alex White, Ben Skidmore, Guy O’Neill, and George Morrissey. In the Dorset League they used 14 players, giving valuable team and match experience to some of the younger players, as well as some of the more experienced players. The regular squad of players used was: Kevin Willemse, Alex White, Guy O’Neill, Ben Skidmore, and Paul Scott, and then relative new comers to the Men’s Team were Alex Gordon and Ben Powell who are both at University; fairly new member Damo Stacey, and junior players George Morrissey, Alex Baker, Joe Albon and Charlie Barnett. Well done to all concerned for giving up your time and progressing your standard of tennis to assist in becoming league champions. A good season for the Men’s squad.
The Ladies’ team also exceeded their expectation by gaining promotion from Division 2 to Division 1, following on from the same success in the Winter League. Team Captains Alison Beaven & Felicia Pegg led their team to win 5 out of their 7 matches, and only losing on games in the other 2. Well done to the squad of Alison, Felicia, Helen Austin, Katherine Bundy, Philippa Fortescue, Elspeth Gracie, Claire Horne, Sue Ramsbottom, Ann Williams, Sarah Skidmore, and two of the up and coming junior girls, Kayleigh Budge and Emily Noel. Let’s hope for continued success in Division 1.
The Men’s 2nd team remain in Division 3 winning 2 of their 7 matches and only losing 3 matches on count back. Chris Porter captained the team to 5th place in the division with the help of the following players: Neil Blincow, Derek Hanby, Martin Kimberley, Keith Mason, Guy Simmons, Pete Smith, Damo Stacey and Mike Williams.
A very similar squad played in the Men’s Veterans team, captained by Grahame Bennett. This team was fighting above their weight by playing in a very strong division 1 and they finished in the relegation zone, so will be playing in division 2 next summer. The squad of players used was Grahame, Tim Guppy, Derek Hanby, Martin Kimberley, Chris Porter, Guy Simmons, Pete Smith, and Mike Williams.
The Men’s over 60s team, captained by Derek Hanby, played 4 matches and finished 3rd in the league. A good performance by these evergreen players. Well done to: Derek, Alan Bernard, Ken Davies, Bill Evans, Keith Mason and Mike Williams.
Dorchester has two Mixed teams in the Dorset League. The first team finished a very credible 4th place in Division 1 winning 4 out of the 7 matches. The squad consisted of some “old timers” as well as bringing on some of the younger players. Captained by Sarah Skidmore, with Paul Scott, Sally Dinham-Scott, Yvonne Henderson, Neil Blincow, Alex White, Kevin Willemse, Guy O’Neill, Ben Skidmore, Kayleigh Budge, Alex Baker and Sophie Ramsbottom.
The 2nd Mixed team started off the summer with some good wins and were trying hard for promotion to the 2nd division, but unfortunately were pipped at the post at the last minute, and finished in a very close 3rd place only 2 rubbers behind their nearest rivals. Sue Ramsbottom captained the team, with a squad of 10 players, Grahame Bennett, Martin Kimberley, Derek Hanby, Mike Williams, Keith Mason, Felicia Pegg, Kayleigh Budge, Elspeth Gracie and Alison Beaven.
The Club also runs one Men’s team in the Yeovil & District League. Captained by Mike Williams the team won their Division and will play in Division 3 next summer. They play teams from smaller villages in the Dorset & South Somerset areas on a home and away basis, so actually played 12 matches over the summer. The squad consisted of: Mike Williams, Grahame Bennett, Terry
Crabb, Tim Guppy, Derek Hanby, Martin Kimberley, Adam Lawrence, Keith Mason, Chris Porter and Guy Simmons.
Congratulations to all those who played, and particular thanks to the Team Captains who manage to get the players to generally turn up in the right place at the right time, and provide a match tea for the home matches. Not always an easy task!
A lot of the players are playing in several teams, giving up a fair amount of time. Should anyone else want to play in the teams, please let the captains, or the Tennis Committee know. More players are always required. The Club runs the following teams in the Winter Leagues and is always on the look out for new team captains, and willing players: Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed all playing in their respective county Division One in the winter, Mixed and Men’s Veterans, and additionally a Mixed team playing in the Yeovil & District League. Good luck to all the teams over the next few months.
The Junior Aegon team’s results are already shown on the website.
Al Clark: 1st Jun 2015 10:48:00
Draw for the 2024 Squash and Racketball Club Championships...
will be held on Bank Holiday Easter Monday 1st April...