Both the Andover Sarum A and B teams continue to have success in Division 1 and 2.
The A team recorded 8-0 wins over newly promoted Alderbury and Downton and also Salisbury. An injury to regular Andy Winnett has seen some changes in the team selection. Stuart Smillie played in both matches partnering Claire Coomer and Claire Reid in the mixed and Anthony Brown in the mens' doubles. Stuart's tactical understanding of doubles has improved dramatically this season and he is a real asset to the team who did not drop a set in either match.
Against Salisbury the ever present Claire Coomer played with Mike Prince, her fifth different mixed partner of the season. They won their mixed comfortably 6-2, 6-2 in very blustery conditions. Helen Eckersley and Anthony Brown won their mixed 6-3, 6-2. The men's doubles was won by Andover 6-2, 6-2 and the ladies' doubles 6-1, 6-0.
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The B team recently beat Riverside B 7-1 and saw the return from injury of Andrea McMillan, who played with Barry Austin in the mixed sharing the points 6-4, 4-6. Paul Jenner and Lizzy Austin won both their sets after a tough tie break in the first set, winning the second 6-4. The men won their doubles easily 6-1, 6-3 with Jenner volleying at his best. The ladies also won both of their sets 6-2, 6-4.
The Mixed B team have also been doing well in Division 1 of the Basingstoke League. They recently beat Goodworth Clatford 5-3 and won 7-1 against Old Basing. Mike and Charlotte Prince were too strong for Old Basing only losing four games all evening. The experienced Glenys Chambers partnered Alan Keenan for the second time this season winning 6-3, 7-5 against the second couple and splitting against the first 6-2, 3-6.
The Men C had a comfortable 6-2 win over Sherbourne St John in Division 3. Both David Buckmaster partnering Andrew Higgs, and John Snowden playing with James Corcoran, who played really well on his debut in adult men's tennis, drew with the first pair. Generally, Andover coped more successfully with the blustery conditions and had easier victories over the second pairs.
After a positive start to the season for the Men's Hants and IOW team, things have not gone so well recently. From a promotion position earlier they need to win their last match against Thornden to stave of relegation after a 6-3 defeat by Winchester B on Saturday. With a number of regulars missing, skipper Martyn Isherwood called on the experience of Jeff Lill and the youthful enthusiasm of Marc Reynolds and Pat Burnell. Mike Prince and Stuart Smilie won two of their matches, almost winning the third but Isherwood and Lill only picked up one win, but had chances in the other two matches. Marc and Pat were winless but played some good tennis.
The Men's Vets enjoyed better fortune against the Army winning 7-1. Both pairs made a good start with Paul Jenner and Ian Kirkpatrick winning 6-2 6-3 and Barry Austin and Jeff Lill winning 7-5, 6-3. Paul and Ian lost their first set against the second pairing 6-2 but fought back to win the second set 6-4. Barry and Jeff kept good form to demolish the first pair 6-3, 6-1 for a convincing win.
The Ladies' A continued their unbeaten run with a 7-1 win away to RSF B. Claire Coomer and Helen Eckersley were too strong and only dropped one game in four sets. Glenys Chambers and Claire Reid beat the second pair 6-2, 6-3 and shared the sets with the first pair 6-3, 2-6.
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