Saturday February 9th 2008
Lucy Davis (51) Lost to Callum Maclean ORATORY (49) 1-6, 2-6
Lucy's recent good form saw her play this match level. She battled far better than the scoreline would suggest but was unable to contain Callum's shotmaking and power, showing why he was a recent ORTC "Most improved player". Callum never lost his grip on the match with a display of solid tennis taking the match in straight sets.
Mike Henman (20) Lost to Ross Brown ORATORY (17) 6-5, 0-6, 3-6
Mike set off to a flying start with some "bullet" forcing that had spectators running for cover. Ross refused to be drawn into a power battle in favour of the corners and a tense set ensued full of brialliant shotmaking. It ended with Mike taking the set. Ross then found range with his mainwall force and this proved to be the deciding factor in a wonderful game that saw Ross win through 2 sets to 1.
Barry Aitken (32) Lost to Simon Booker ORATORY (32) 3-6, 4-6
The scoreline belied a very close game. Simon played well to reach 5-2 but then Barry started his comeback. A series of 40All games followed and after losing the first set Barry used all his experience to make a good start in the 2nd. A long and highly competitive set followed with service being exchanged regularly. Booker finally won through - a relieved captain !
Nikky Claxton (56) Beat Cathy Gordon ORATORY (55) 6-5, 6-4
Easily the best contest of the match saw Nikky recieving an owe-15 start from one of Oratory's most improved players - Cathy Gordon. Brilliant volleying from both players saw the match arrive at 5 games all but Nikky held her nerve cheered on by her 2 year old to take teh first set. The 2nd was equally as good with both players playing their best tennis. The match turned when Cathy held a 40Love lead at 4-3 looking to level but 4 superb floor shots by Nikky put her back in control. Cathy's determination took the game to 5-4 but was edged out 2 sets to love.
Annabel Bernard (45) Lost to Geoff Probert ORATORY (48) 2-6, 2-6
This match was played in a great spirit with Annabel attempting to play her first competitive game in some years having been in the 30's. The gallery expected much as she cooly return a full force during the knockup. Geoff has other ideas however. He unvieled a range of heavily spun sidewall serves that put Annabel under a lot of pressure. When she could get away from the recievers end Annabel showed her class but Geoff applied steady pressure and tok the match 2 love.
Simon Booker
