HEADLEY Tennis Club have completed a successful summer season in the East Hampshire League, with their ladies, men’s and mixed teams all performing strongly in their various divisions.

The ladies finished runners-up to Graffham in Division 2 with a record of seven wins, one draw and two defeats. The core of the team, captained by Natalie McIntosh, were Sue Lewis, Elly Whitworth, Debbie Youl, Jan Deane and Angie Lardner, with support from Annette Taylor and Sarah Grantham. Sue Lewis had the distinction of coming top of the league averages with a record of 24 sets won and none lost.

Headley men competed in Division 3 and were captained for the first time by Pete King before he found the going so tough he moved to the USA! He was succeeded by Derek Hubbard and the team were pipped for top spot by a youthful Alton side who beat Headley 5-3 in the final match of the season to secure the title and promotion.

Headley’s regulars were Adam Parris, Charles Wakefield and Roger Deane, backed up by six ‘occasionals’.

Pride of place goes to Headley’s mixed team who won promotion to the top flight last season and finished league champions this campaign. And so a team from Headley Tennis Club has been the best in the East Hants League, beating much larger clubs such as Steep and Swanmore.

Captained by Derek Hubbard, Headley mixed had a nucleus of Sue Lewis, Natalie McIntosh and Graham Hayman, ably assisted by Debbie Youl and Elly Whitworth.

Headley won eight matches and lost just twice. Against Steep A and B, the team won 30 out of a possible 32 sets. They lost twice to Swanmore A in hard-fought matches, but the team’s ability to secure bigger margins of victory in the other matches enabled them to win the mixed title by a comfortable nine points.

Sue, Derek, Natalie and Graham secured the top four positions in the league averages and the skipper treated his triumphant team to a meal at the Royal Exchange.

There is no respite for Headley TC who now embark on their winter season of competitive tennis. Ladies, men’s and mixed teams are playing in the Aldershot & District League, competing in Divisions 2B, 3B and 1 respectively.

Debbie Youl will captain a mixed team in the East Hants League, so ensuring that all members get enough regular matches. The winter captains are: ladies – Natalie McIntosh; men – Derek Hubbard; mixed (ADLTA) – Derek Hubbard; mixed (East Hants) – Debbie Youl.

The standard of tennis was excellent on Headley’s Summer Tournament finals day. The winners were: men’s singles – Egan Daborn; ladies singles – Sue Lewis; men’s doubles – Derek Hubbard & Dai Lewis; ladies doubles – Sue Bettin & Debbie Youl; mixed doubles – Egan Daborn & Sue Lewis; 16 and Under – Mark McLusker.

For information about Headley Tennis Club, email [email protected]