FRIENDLY MATCHES
Final Friendly Match v Upton (Away)
Thursday 10th July
The final friendly game of the season at Upton ended in a good 11-5 set victory for Bertram. Dylan & Pete won their mens doubles easily, as did Kerry & Helen in the Ladies. Terry & Glyn, and Liz & Christine had to share the points in their games. In the mixed there were wins for Pete & Liz and Helen & Glyn. Terry & Kerry shared their points. Christine & Dylan lost their game despite two really good come-backs in each set. A good season for the many members who played in this years friendlies. Thanks to Alistair for the organisation.
13th Friendly Match v Heswall (Away)
Thursday 3rd July
Not the best result overall from Bertram playing beach tennis on Heswall's sandy astro turf - uneven bounces and other good quality excuses were expounded, but at 12-4 to the home team there can only so many believable bad luck stories.
The highlight of the evening came from Alan & Kerry, our only 2 set winners. The other points came from Kerry & Helen in the Ladies, and Dylan & Helen in the mixed.
Our other players on the night were Julie, Joanne, David, & Geoff.
The Friendly team are however really enjoying their tennis and the hospitality of our local clubs.
10th Friendly Match V Pinewood (Away)
Thursday 19th June 6.15pm
It was quite a considerable geographic feat to find Pinewood for those of us who had not been there for some time or even at all. However, with most of our team gaining previous O Levels in geography this was not such a difficult problem!
The outstanding feature of this match was that we won it 71/2 to 1/2. The only set we lost was when Alastair and Terry played against a rather talented girl of 17 who was playing as a man(!), and her male partner who was also about the same age. We won the first set, but lost the second to 1. The other matches were all rather one sided affairs with Bertram taking all available sets.
Now, where Pinewood did come into their own was in the entertainment stakes. We were all hosted in a little hut at the end of the club grounds and two of their players had us in stitches for the rest of our time there which was for another hour. Anyway, the frivolities over, we continued our mirth and reflection in the car on the way home.
All in all a great evening was had by all and it's good to see Tim and Julia Jones settling into Bertram winning ways and enjoying their tennis. Well done .
Thank you to all who participated and to Pinewood for making it such a memorable occasion.
Alastair Hamilton
9th Friendly Home v. Hooton
Thursday 12th June 2008
At 6.15 only one person had turned up to play, so the captain was wondering whether anyone actually wanted to play. In fact, one lady from Hooton was rather late indeed! However, most of us met (eventually) and play got underway. Peter Carter took senior charge and paired up with the ever green Frank Gill and the four of that match played tenuously and Hooton won narrowly by tie breaks in both sets. Alastair and Glyn had a very entertaining match against their second pair and won in 1 and 3. Kerry and Helen won their rubber, too, in 3 and 4. However, Julia and Joanne lost by 3 and 4. The mixed pairings linked Peter with Kerry who won as did Alastair and Julia but the other pairings lost narrowly.
It was good to have Peter, Frank and Joanne playing for the first time this season in the friendlies. They played well and I hope they enjoyed their evening. Julia provided tea for the first time this season, so a big thank you to her.
Overall a 4-4 draw against a strong Hooton team was a very creditable one. Thank you to everyone who played this week, and we look forward to meeting the opposition next year, at Hooton.
Reporter: Alastair
This match was severely restricted by the rather inclement weather, which proved incessant.
The doubles pairings got under way, after a rather hasty team talk, held in order to introduce previously unmet partners! Alastair teamed up with Tim Jones and they won the first set after watching some of the other matches because they did not initially want to play in the rain (or at least Alastair did not want to). So this left the other pairings to complete their rubbers. It was great to see the two Peters- Sewter and Grealis compete admirably in their match, but alas lost the second set, but won the first, very skillfully. Helen Morgan and Julia Jones halved their match with some close run rallies and a generally competitive spirit. But Kerry and Sally Wilkinson, the latter on debut, lost their rubber after a titanic struggle and they survived a late onslaught by the excellent opposition in both sets.
All in all 2-2 proved a satisfactory result for both sides because no mixed rubber was started due to rain.
Bertram's thanks go to Alderley for a great effort in their matches, a hospitable reception and an excellent tea.
Next week we hope to hold a late fixture v Kingsmead School, so if you would like to play give me a call.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
4th Match v Hoylake (Home) 15th May
The fourth match was not out best result of the season but it was an enjoyable evening and the team did play better than the stats indicated (says someone who played). We only picked up one set in the first four doubles, with Dylan Dowell and Glyn Morgan narrowly losing the first 7-5 but winning the second 6-4. Dave Martin & Alan Dunn played well but went down 6-3, 6-4. Liz Grealis & Helen Morgan and Hannah Barnstall & Lucy Hubbard certainly gained from the experience. In the mixed games only Helen and Glyn won a set. The result was an overall 7-1 defeat.
3rd Friendly Match v Port Sunlight (Away)
Thursday 1st May 2008
The weather for this evening's match was bright sunshine which continued throughout play and the quality of the tennis from both teams reflected this. Unfortunately, Bertram could only muster three ladies for this match and so Dave Martin had to stand in with the skirt on (sorry, Dave). However, this did not deter him one bit as he proceeded to win both his rubbers with aplomb, taking his personal tally for the friendly matches to 4 out of 4. No mean achievement.
The only couple to lose their tie from the first round of ties for this match was Alastair and Dylan Dowell. And since Alastair and Barbara Fisher lost their rubber to 1 and 0 I think Alastair comes away with the booby prize for this evening. The ladies all did well and Barbara and Kerry linked up with their winning ways as usual.
At the turnaround into the mixed doubles, all the ties were completed, but Dylan and Kerry, incidentally, completed a 'Championship' set, which was first to 10 points, by 2 clear points, which they won.
Poor Dave Martin, with the sun in his eyes could not resist providing the entertainment by taking one ball in the eye, rather painfully. But he resumed play very bravely.
Overall, the evening was enjoyed if you did not get smacked in the eye and the quality of the tennis was high. Bertram's thanks go to Port Sunlight team for ably hosting us and providing tea.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
Bertram LTC v Birkenhead (Away)
2nd Friendly Match - Home v. Prenton (Thurs 24th April)
The second friendly Thursday came around this week and the match was against Prenton, at Bertram. We were told to field a relatively strong team, as in the past, Prenton have put out a good team in their friendly matches. So, as last week, we fielded a strong ladies contingent to the side - Clare Culligan, Barbara Fisher, Kerry Fryer & Helen Morgan. Of course the men were equally up to the task.
All the pre-match hype never lived up to expectations,however, since the result merely reflected the recently changing fortunes of Bertram LTC. The men teamed up with Terry O'Hara and John Butler (welcome back, both!) as pair 2 and Alastair and Glyn Morgan as the 1st pair.
Both ladies and both men pairs won their rubbers in style, all four pairs gaining 8 sets between them and only 12 games conceded.
The mixed pairings were no less dominant, with all four pairs winning all the sets available and 19 games conceded, but with one set going all the way to a tie break, which we won!
The team has to be praised for the tennis performance, but so too does Claire Culligan for her magnificent tea, which was chilli and jacket spuds, wonderful.
Thank you, too, to Prenton, for your spirited approach and appreciation of and participation in the evenings activity.
Reporter: Alastair
Editor: Alastair played much sharper than his War & Peace match reports
Bertram LTC v Birkenhead (Away)
Thursday 17th April 2008
The first friendly match of the season got underway on Thursday 17th April. It was against Birkenhead LTC in Birkenhead.
The signs were ominous for Birkenhead right from the start since all of Bertram LTC's team were assembled and ready to play at 6.15pm. However it took a further 15 minutes for all the opposite team to arrive and that was only after a rather anxious BLTC Team Captain had to enquire as to whether their team were actually expecting us!
However, the match did get underway and the pairings were settled for the evening's tennis. Alastair and Dave Chandler paired up against the BLTC top pair and took the first set easily. But the second was a different matter because chances were squandered by both our pair but the rubber was sealed in the tie break. Dave Martin and Allan Dunn (on debut for BLTC) routed the opposite pair in double quick time 1and 2. So they were able enjoy a long squash watching the others toil (successfully).
The girls, Kerry Fryer and Barbara Fisher and Sally Dowell and Helen Morgan all triumphed against weaker girls on the Birkenhead LTC team. In fact only 4 games were gained against Bertram LTC in these two rubbers. Well done ladies!
The mixed pairings were an altogether different proposition. With a strong ladies Bertram showing, it seemed that these mixed matches would be easier than they actually were. However, despite some rubbers not actually completed, Bertram managed to secure 2and 1/2 points out of the 4 available for the mixed ties. The only outright winner was that of Allan Dunn and Helen Morgan, so well done to them!
Allan rated the evening 10/10 as he was not expecting the (sumptuous) meal after the match and since he gained 2 out of 2 points for his contribution ot the team.
The evening was completed under headlights as these were available and, obviously, needed.
Therefore Bertram gained 6 and 1/2 points and Birkenhead 1 and 1/2 points.
Thank you to Birkenhead for kindly hosting us so well and thank you to all who turned out so ably for Bertram on this victorious occasion.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
Final Friendly Match v Upton (Away)
Thursday 10th July
The final friendly game of the season at Upton ended in a good 11-5 set victory for Bertram. Dylan & Pete won their mens doubles easily, as did Kerry & Helen in the Ladies. Terry & Glyn, and Liz & Christine had to share the points in their games. In the mixed there were wins for Pete & Liz and Helen & Glyn. Terry & Kerry shared their points. Christine & Dylan lost their game despite two really good come-backs in each set. A good season for the many members who played in this years friendlies. Thanks to Alistair for the organisation.
13th Friendly Match v Heswall (Away)
Thursday 3rd July
Not the best result overall from Bertram playing beach tennis on Heswall's sandy astro turf - uneven bounces and other good quality excuses were expounded, but at 12-4 to the home team there can only so many believable bad luck stories.
The highlight of the evening came from Alan & Kerry, our only 2 set winners. The other points came from Kerry & Helen in the Ladies, and Dylan & Helen in the mixed.
Our other players on the night were Julie, Joanne, David, & Geoff.
The Friendly team are however really enjoying their tennis and the hospitality of our local clubs.
10th Friendly Match V Pinewood (Away)
Thursday 19th June 6.15pm
It was quite a considerable geographic feat to find Pinewood for those of us who had not been there for some time or even at all. However, with most of our team gaining previous O Levels in geography this was not such a difficult problem!
The outstanding feature of this match was that we won it 71/2 to 1/2. The only set we lost was when Alastair and Terry played against a rather talented girl of 17 who was playing as a man(!), and her male partner who was also about the same age. We won the first set, but lost the second to 1. The other matches were all rather one sided affairs with Bertram taking all available sets.
Now, where Pinewood did come into their own was in the entertainment stakes. We were all hosted in a little hut at the end of the club grounds and two of their players had us in stitches for the rest of our time there which was for another hour. Anyway, the frivolities over, we continued our mirth and reflection in the car on the way home.
All in all a great evening was had by all and it's good to see Tim and Julia Jones settling into Bertram winning ways and enjoying their tennis. Well done .
Thank you to all who participated and to Pinewood for making it such a memorable occasion.
Alastair Hamilton
9th Friendly Home v. Hooton
Thursday 12th June 2008
At 6.15 only one person had turned up to play, so the captain was wondering whether anyone actually wanted to play. In fact, one lady from Hooton was rather late indeed! However, most of us met (eventually) and play got underway. Peter Carter took senior charge and paired up with the ever green Frank Gill and the four of that match played tenuously and Hooton won narrowly by tie breaks in both sets. Alastair and Glyn had a very entertaining match against their second pair and won in 1 and 3. Kerry and Helen won their rubber, too, in 3 and 4. However, Julia and Joanne lost by 3 and 4. The mixed pairings linked Peter with Kerry who won as did Alastair and Julia but the other pairings lost narrowly.
It was good to have Peter, Frank and Joanne playing for the first time this season in the friendlies. They played well and I hope they enjoyed their evening. Julia provided tea for the first time this season, so a big thank you to her.
Overall a 4-4 draw against a strong Hooton team was a very creditable one. Thank you to everyone who played this week, and we look forward to meeting the opposition next year, at Hooton.
Reporter: Alastair
5th Friendly Match v Alderley (Away)
Thursday 22nd May 2008
This match was severely restricted by the rather inclement weather, which proved incessant.
The doubles pairings got under way, after a rather hasty team talk, held in order to introduce previously unmet partners! Alastair teamed up with Tim Jones and they won the first set after watching some of the other matches because they did not initially want to play in the rain (or at least Alastair did not want to). So this left the other pairings to complete their rubbers. It was great to see the two Peters- Sewter and Grealis compete admirably in their match, but alas lost the second set, but won the first, very skillfully. Helen Morgan and Julia Jones halved their match with some close run rallies and a generally competitive spirit. But Kerry and Sally Wilkinson, the latter on debut, lost their rubber after a titanic struggle and they survived a late onslaught by the excellent opposition in both sets.
All in all 2-2 proved a satisfactory result for both sides because no mixed rubber was started due to rain.
Bertram's thanks go to Alderley for a great effort in their matches, a hospitable reception and an excellent tea.
Next week we hope to hold a late fixture v Kingsmead School, so if you would like to play give me a call.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
4th Match v Hoylake (Home) 15th May
The fourth match was not out best result of the season but it was an enjoyable evening and the team did play better than the stats indicated (says someone who played). We only picked up one set in the first four doubles, with Dylan Dowell and Glyn Morgan narrowly losing the first 7-5 but winning the second 6-4. Dave Martin & Alan Dunn played well but went down 6-3, 6-4. Liz Grealis & Helen Morgan and Hannah Barnstall & Lucy Hubbard certainly gained from the experience. In the mixed games only Helen and Glyn won a set. The result was an overall 7-1 defeat.
3rd Friendly Match v Port Sunlight (Away)
Thursday 1st May 2008
The weather for this evening's match was bright sunshine which continued throughout play and the quality of the tennis from both teams reflected this. Unfortunately, Bertram could only muster three ladies for this match and so Dave Martin had to stand in with the skirt on (sorry, Dave). However, this did not deter him one bit as he proceeded to win both his rubbers with aplomb, taking his personal tally for the friendly matches to 4 out of 4. No mean achievement.
The only couple to lose their tie from the first round of ties for this match was Alastair and Dylan Dowell. And since Alastair and Barbara Fisher lost their rubber to 1 and 0 I think Alastair comes away with the booby prize for this evening. The ladies all did well and Barbara and Kerry linked up with their winning ways as usual.
At the turnaround into the mixed doubles, all the ties were completed, but Dylan and Kerry, incidentally, completed a 'Championship' set, which was first to 10 points, by 2 clear points, which they won.
Poor Dave Martin, with the sun in his eyes could not resist providing the entertainment by taking one ball in the eye, rather painfully. But he resumed play very bravely.
Overall, the evening was enjoyed if you did not get smacked in the eye and the quality of the tennis was high. Bertram's thanks go to Port Sunlight team for ably hosting us and providing tea.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
Bertram LTC v Birkenhead (Away)
2nd Friendly Match - Home v. Prenton (Thurs 24th April)
The second friendly Thursday came around this week and the match was against Prenton, at Bertram. We were told to field a relatively strong team, as in the past, Prenton have put out a good team in their friendly matches. So, as last week, we fielded a strong ladies contingent to the side - Clare Culligan, Barbara Fisher, Kerry Fryer & Helen Morgan. Of course the men were equally up to the task.
All the pre-match hype never lived up to expectations,however, since the result merely reflected the recently changing fortunes of Bertram LTC. The men teamed up with Terry O'Hara and John Butler (welcome back, both!) as pair 2 and Alastair and Glyn Morgan as the 1st pair.
Both ladies and both men pairs won their rubbers in style, all four pairs gaining 8 sets between them and only 12 games conceded.
The mixed pairings were no less dominant, with all four pairs winning all the sets available and 19 games conceded, but with one set going all the way to a tie break, which we won!
The team has to be praised for the tennis performance, but so too does Claire Culligan for her magnificent tea, which was chilli and jacket spuds, wonderful.
Thank you, too, to Prenton, for your spirited approach and appreciation of and participation in the evenings activity.
Reporter: Alastair
Editor: Alastair played much sharper than his War & Peace match reports
Bertram LTC v Birkenhead (Away)
Thursday 17th April 2008
The first friendly match of the season got underway on Thursday 17th April. It was against Birkenhead LTC in Birkenhead.
The signs were ominous for Birkenhead right from the start since all of Bertram LTC's team were assembled and ready to play at 6.15pm. However it took a further 15 minutes for all the opposite team to arrive and that was only after a rather anxious BLTC Team Captain had to enquire as to whether their team were actually expecting us!
However, the match did get underway and the pairings were settled for the evening's tennis. Alastair and Dave Chandler paired up against the BLTC top pair and took the first set easily. But the second was a different matter because chances were squandered by both our pair but the rubber was sealed in the tie break. Dave Martin and Allan Dunn (on debut for BLTC) routed the opposite pair in double quick time 1and 2. So they were able enjoy a long squash watching the others toil (successfully).
The girls, Kerry Fryer and Barbara Fisher and Sally Dowell and Helen Morgan all triumphed against weaker girls on the Birkenhead LTC team. In fact only 4 games were gained against Bertram LTC in these two rubbers. Well done ladies!
The mixed pairings were an altogether different proposition. With a strong ladies Bertram showing, it seemed that these mixed matches would be easier than they actually were. However, despite some rubbers not actually completed, Bertram managed to secure 2and 1/2 points out of the 4 available for the mixed ties. The only outright winner was that of Allan Dunn and Helen Morgan, so well done to them!
Allan rated the evening 10/10 as he was not expecting the (sumptuous) meal after the match and since he gained 2 out of 2 points for his contribution ot the team.
The evening was completed under headlights as these were available and, obviously, needed.
Therefore Bertram gained 6 and 1/2 points and Birkenhead 1 and 1/2 points.
Thank you to Birkenhead for kindly hosting us so well and thank you to all who turned out so ably for Bertram on this victorious occasion.
Reporter: Alastair Hamilton
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