Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year to all Sproughton Tennis members and blog readers.

2008 brings the 10th anniversary of Sproughton Tennis's presence on the web. The web site has been through many changes since that time, currently I think we are on the 9th revision.

One change that has occurred in the last day or so, is the hosting of the web site and the domain registrar. After almost 10 years on an ISP's free web pages, we now have a new permanent home. Hopefully this has now been completed smoothly and all pages are displayed as they were before. If you haven't already done so, please update your bookmarks to www.sproughtontennis.co.uk

County Award

Suffolk LTA hosted their annual awards evening for 2007 at the Orwell Park School, in Ipswich.  Guest of honour was the Chief Executive of the LTA, Roger Draper.  During his speech he recognised the importance of volunteers to the success of tennis in the UK.  We were delighted that long standing club member, first team captain and perhaps most importantly of all, junior coach, John Tallent, was awarded an LTA county tie as recognition of his long-standing involvement and support for tennis in the local community.

Dates for the Diary

At last the resurfacing and painting of the two main courts is complete and they look fantastic - better still they play fantastic as well. So to celebrate this and give them a formal 'christening' we have a couple of events lined up. On Sunday, 23rd September at 2pm, it is 'Finals Day' with the finals of both the mens and ladies singles due to be played.

The following week, Sunday 30th September, there is an American Tournament open to all members. It starts again at 2pm and there is a £1 entry fee.

Finally on Friday 12th October, there is a Quiz night to be held in the pavilion. Judging by past events this is likely to be a great night with teams of up to 5 people competing in 10 rounds. Organise your team now or come along on the night. Starts 7.30pm. The bar will be open and a fish and chip supper available.

Framlingham 2007

Hello everyone. Yet again a enjoyable, and exciting Framlingham. This Framlingham was memorable for Joan Hassell as it was her 50th Framlingham. She had a present given to her after a final (on Thursday) and that was when everybody was there watching. Sproughton had a successful Framlingham with many reaching finals. And one winning them.

 

Me and Ben Hart entered the U16 singles and doubles with the prospect of at least winning one round. In our doubles we were un-successful losing 6-2 6-1 against two boys we knew we had a chance against. In Ben's singles he managed to win two rounds, and then losing to a seed 6-2 6-2. I unfortunately lost first round of my U16 playing a Norfolk junior losing 0 and 1. I entered a total of five events and those were 2. I entered the U14 singles, doubles, and mixed. In the singles I lost first round, and entered the plate losing first round of that 2 and 3. In the doubles I played with a "Partner Wanted" winning my first round. Then getting trounced 0 and 0 against one of the finalists. In my mixed I played with my another "Partner Wanted" and losing first round.

 

John on the other hand entered the Vets (Veterans) singles, doubles, and mixed. In the singles the Number 2 seed lost 6-0, 1-6, and 4-6. In the doubles John and another good player (Bob Booker) lost in the Semi-Final 7-5 6-4. He played Charles Fulcher who plays for Felixstowe and is renowned for Quick Reactions, a good doubles player, and bad language. In the mixed John and another Sproughton player (Woo), Christine Nugent cruised to the final with John. They lost a close match, but won that "magic" £10 each prize money that couldn't pay for the petrol home. Remember its all about the experience. And glory.

 

Colin played in the Vets Mens doubles and won the final getting another £15 each that was also payed to the Runner-Up's. His aprtner was Mike Ellis .

 

Over all though, this Framlingham was a memorable Fram,with very good weather , and plenty of sun , and hopefully next year Sproughton will do even better.

 

Matthew Tallent

 

Sproughton Blogger

Sproughton vs Adastral Park 3 (Away)

Hmm... What a washout. We managed to play 6 full sets and 3 "half sets". Due to the deluge we had to stop near to 9 o'clock. Anyyyyway. Our pairs were:

1. Ben Hart and Adam Chappell
2. The Matthew's (Me and Chappell)
3. Glen and Mike

Ben and Adam lost against the first pair 8-5 during the end of the first washout. (There were two washouts, One at the end that was heavy, and one at the start was drizzly). Against the second pair in the first deluge they lost 8-5 again. At the final rain they were losing 5-1 when Ben and Adam had to stop.

 

Me and Matt lost against the first pair in the first game 8-5. At our first game against the second pair we lost 8-6 feeling we should have won. Our final but kind of... WET game was lost at 3-2 with the start of our come-back in our sight.

 

Glen and Mike played the first pair at the last deluge and were losing 5-1. Against the second pair they lost 8-0. A suprising lose as me and Matt got 6 games. Against the third pair they lost 8-3 and were unlucky as I presume that was at the first deluge.

 

Unfortunately there wasnt much to say as we didn't get the finish all the games due to the rain, and earlier rain spell. But!! The show had to go on as it was only drizzle. :) Bring on less rain?

 

 

Mens 3 vs St Johns 3

Yet again, a lose. But do not doubt the powers of the Mens 3 team without the John Tallent who won us our constant 3 sets . Our pairs were:

1. Adam Chappell and Luke Barnes
2. Matthew Tallent (me) and Ben Hart
3. Matthew Chappell and Mike Lawrence

Our first pair, Adam and Luke were fighting the game to the end with Adam actually making an aggressive shot! That is unexpectedly rare. Against the first pair they lost 8-3 battling hard. Against the second they won 8-6 gaining a chance to win that sweety prize (I will explain at the end). Against the third they were expected to win, but lost 8-6.

 

Me and Ben said to each other to at least get one match that night, and that ws exactly what we done. Against that first pair we lost 8-4. Not much to be said as we didn't play well at all. Against the second pair we won on a tie break 9-8. Woo~~~. The third pair weren't playing well at all, and we won 8-2 with suprising ease (Why did we lose two games?).

 

Mike and Matthew lost all three, but battled hard to get the games they won. Against the first pair they lost 8-0 against the hard pair. Against the second pair they lost 8-5 getting the right points, and right crucial shots. The last pair beat them by 8-1.

 

The sweety prize is the prize to the first pair with two juniors to get the first set.

 

WHO WILL GET IT?!?! 

Sproughton 3 vs Adrastral Park 3

Hi all, The match was Sproughton 3 against Adastral Park 3. Just to say... personally I think this team was the friendliest team we've encountered. Yes. Again you have guessed it. We lost 6-3 again. With John and Adam winning 3. Aaaanyway. Now to the scores/pairs. Our pairs were-

1. John Tallent and Adam Chappell
2. Richard Oaks with Matthew Chappell
3. Matthew Tallent (me) Luke Barnes

Ok, John and Adam did win all their matches . Against the first pair they won 8-5. The first pair was the hardest to beat, but most talkative and friendly. In the match against the second pair they won again. The score was 8-1. Almost a white-wash.Against the last pair , the match was won  8-4.

J

Richard and Matthew... we er...Yes. We lost those games. On the bright side we did lose closely. In some of them. The first pair we lost at 5-8. Their second pair lost again at 6-8 resulting in another loss for Sproughton. The last and final game they lost at 2-8. So...against the hardest pair they do best at... Easiest pair worst... Confusing.?

L

Me and Luke lost our games as Luke - supposedly - didn't like his racket, and accused himself of playing the worst in years. Against the first pair we WERE white-washed *sobsob*. The second we done better losing 3-8. A bit better. Then we dropped to our lowest low losing 1-8 to the lst pair.

L

So overall we didn't do very well. Matthew (Chappell) lost with Richard, and me and Luke lost the matches we played. Well, It IS all about the experience factor.