Double derby delight for Melton Mowbray Tennis Club vets

The weekend’s action proved a double delight for Melton Mowbray Tennis Club’s Vets team when they came out on top of both their Ladies and Men’s matches against near neighbours Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club.

The men were up first in their first fixture in Division 3A and after a closely fought tussle, Melton came away with the points following a 5-3 win.

Skipper Mark Ashman and partner Craig Tracey paved the way with a maximum four wins with second pairing of David Owen and Peter Lovegrove taking a single set to clinch the points.

 Results: M. Ashman & C. Tracey - won 6-0, 6-2; won 6-0, 6-0. P. Love & D. Owen - drew 6-1, 2-6; lost 3-6, 4-6.

The Ladies Vets entertained Hamilton II in their first Division 3B fixture and were involved in some really tight sets but came out on top with a 7-1 winning start to their season.

Laura Fretwell teamed up with Val White at first pairing and they led the way with a maximum four sets with second pairing of skipper Natalie Clayton and Ali Wildt performing brilliantly to register three wins after being involved in four fiercely-contested sets.

Results: L. Fretwell & V. White - won 6-0, 6-4; won 6-2, 6-1. N. Clayton & A. Wildt - won 7-5, 6-4; drew 6-7, 7-5.

The Men’s first team travelled to Charnwood TC for their Division One fixture and returned with the points after a narrow 5-4 win.

Skipper Ryan Parmar teamed up with Tom Ellis to take two sets and James Rowe returned to partner Harrison Culpan to also take two sets.

With the match standing at 4-4, third pairing of Ben Simpkin and Giles Constant collected their last rubber to seal the points for Melton.

Results: R. Parmar & T. Ellis - won 8-2, 8-0, lost 3-8. J. Rowe & H. Culpan - won 8-3, 8-1, lost 1-8. B. Simpkin & G. Constant - won 8-1, lost 5-8, 0-8.

The Ladies’ first team entertained a strong Charnwood TC in their Premiership fixture and went down to their third defeat after a 6-3 reversal.

Skipper Charlie Griffin teamed up with 12-year-old Evie Pritchard and took two vital sets with Laura Cooper and Maia Dunn taking one set at second pairing.

Third pairing of Sarah Diver and Carol Gilchrist battled bravely but found the going tough against the title contenders.

Results: C. Griffin & E. Pritchard - won 8-0, 8-4, lost 7-8. L. Cooper & M. Dunn - won 8-5, lost 0-8, 3-8. C. Gilchrist & S. Diver - lost 0-8, 1-8, 5-8.

The Ladies’ second team entertained near neighbours Belvoir Vale in a Division Two fixture, and after a closely-fought tussle they went down to a narrow 5-4 defeat.

Beth Lowe and Danielle Wells teamed up at first pairing and played well to win two rubbers with second pairing of skipper Carol Gilchrist and Abbi Hickling and third pairing of Jill Woods and Laura Fretwell both collecting one set each.

Results: B. Lowe & D. Wells - won 8-7, 8-6, lost 3-8. C. Gilchrist & A. Hickling - won 8-2, lost 4-8, 0-8. J. Woods & L. Fretwell - won 8-6, lost 1-8, 1-8.