Melton Mowbray Tennis Club seal cup final spot

Melton Mowbray Tennis Club will host the Mercury Cup final on Saturday after defeating an under-strength Hinckley in the semi-finals last week.
Two local clubs want new people to give tennis a tryTwo local clubs want new people to give tennis a try
Two local clubs want new people to give tennis a try

Hinckley were expected to give Melton a stern test, but due to unavailability, they arrived under-strength and were no match for a rampant home team.

Scores: Marcus Walters/Emma Tootell won 6-0 6-0; 6-0 6-0. Ryan Parmar/Charlotte Griffin won 6-2 6-0; 6-1 6-0. Luke Smith/Jessica Gadsby won 6-1 6-1.

Club chairman Nigel Haynes and head coach Di Burdett are delighted with the performance in the county’s most prestigious mixed knockout competition.

The final is set to be a real David and Goliath clash as the county’s newest club meets its biggest – Leicestershire Tennis Club.

There will be a barbecue and refreshments and all support is welcome (2pm start).

* The ladies’ first team continue to set the pace in Division Two, but were disappointed their opponents Leicester Forest East Seconds could only raise one pair in their recent match.

Melton duly polished off the sole pairing to wrap up their fifth straight 9-0 win.

Scores: Emma Tootell/Samitra Fox won 9-5 w/o w/o; Jessica Gadsby/Georgene Ashmore won 9-2 w/o w/o; Charlotte Griffin/Amelia Coltman won 9-4 w/o w/o.

* Also leading the way in Division 4A are Melton’s ladies’ second team who won a tricky match at Kibworth 8-1 to keep their 100 per cent record intact.

Scores: Nicky Kennedy/Carol Gilchrist won 9-2, 9-4, 9-2; Bethany Lowe/Jo Heggs lost 8-9, won 9-8, 9-1; Ellie Jenkins/Sumitri Fox won 9-2, 9-0, 9-0.

* The men’s first team match was cancelled by Oadby, but the Seconds kept up their promotion hopes against a tough Rothley team, coming out on top 6-3.

They then travelled to title favourites Belvoir Vale and returned with a superb 7-2 scoreline which has put them in the driving seat with just three games left.

Scores (vs Rothley): John Sturmey/Jason Wheatley won 9-4, 9-0, 9-1; Neil Johnson/Kane Radford won 9-2, lost 6-9, won 9-3; Tom Dryell/Jake Beagle lost 5-9, won 9-6, lost 8-9.

(vs Belvoir Vale): Justin Horobin/Jason Wheatley won 9-4, 9-3, 9-0; Neil Johnson/Ollie Aley won 9-2, 9-4, 9-7; Jake Beagle/Kane Radford lost 5-9, 3-9, won 9-6.