Local Tennis Leagues The UK home of local park tennis since 2005

Round 12 
Monday 18th April to Sunday 12th June 2011

GROUP ONE
Winner: Alexandru Milcu
Alexandru wins but James gets the unofficial prize for writing a great match report. He contributed fine accounts of his matches against Chris and Alex Mervart, both of which he won. First he played Alex, and said:

“The extremely treacherous surface put plenty of ammunition in both players' tactical arsenals, with heavy slice, wrongfooting shots and, most of all, soggy ball into the puddle, all proving effective weapons. The first set was bossed by James’s failure to produce a string of unforced errors but the standard soared in the second set with both players striking the ball with some ferocity off the ground, Alex gaining an early break with some clumping flat forehands.  Gradually he was reeled in as James upped his game and ultimately his resolve faltered in the gathering gloom.  Alex is moving to Brazil - he claims this defeat was not the reason.  KBT will be a poorer place for his passing.” (James bt Alex Mervart 6-0, 6-2)  

Then he took on Chris, while the French Open was underway in Paris:  

“There was, by all accounts, a blustery wind gusting around the Court Philippe Chatrier as Andy and Rafa went to it toe to toe, but that was nothing compared to the brisk northerly raking court 2 at Brockwell Park's Windy Mountain Tennis Centre this afternoon.  The severity of the conditions demanded out and out aggression at one end and standing 6 feet inside the baseline at the other.  

“Chris’s body language was powerfully suggesting that he wished he'd gone for a swim at Brockwell's famous lido instead, but he now rallied and, with James’s forehand showing signs of not only abandoning him but of leaving the court and moving out of Lambeth altogether, the set moved on to find them locked in parity at 3-3.  The crucial seventh game tottered back and forth until James broke not only Chris’s serve but also the last strands of his resolve and was able to run out a winner for the second time in a week.”  (James bt Chris 6-1, 6-3)

But in an unusual finish there was a three way tie at the top, with Alex Milcu, Ben and Robert, tying at the top with six points each.  Alex, the defending group one champ,  beat both Ben and Robert, and got his six points without needing his bonus points. He therefore wins the group for the second time. Well played! 

GROUP TWO
Winner: Birger Clausen
Birger wasted no time this round, playing and winning his four of his matches before the halfway point, earning his bonus points and notching up a formidable 10 points. Tim was also very active in the first half but did not play after 7 May. In one of only three matches played in the second half, Owen and Magdalena went for three sets (one more than required!), all of which were won by Owen, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. He tells us:

 “It was a long match running into the night. I think we were the last in the park.”

Magdalena made a late dash for glory, playing two matches in early June, and everyone played at least four matches. But it was Birger was finished two clear points ahead, to end the round undefeated and in pole position. Well played

GROUP THREE
Winner: Jonathan Gunning
This was an unusually quiet group, with one match completed and one left unfinished! It was further complicated by injury. Jonathan was 6-2 up against Leonardo when injury forced Leonard to concede. Then Jonathan had to withdraw, himself saying, "I injured my shoulder recently and am concerned that I may exacerbate the problem by playing competitively." It's a real shame as Jonathan is a great contender and won group four last time after playing 6 matches. His consolation is that, despite having to withdraw, he finished with more points than anyone else, and wins the group. Do hope you are on the mend for the next round!

GROUP FOUR
Winner: Moses Kabba
“A great round of tennis, and all the members were very competitive. Look forward to the next round" said Moses who tops the group, with four wins and 8 points. Moses also produced the quote of the round:

“I am enjoying getting back into the swing even though my backhand is as erratic as Murray’s moods.”

Ben can count himself unlucky, having had to leave three matches unfinished. These included one against Moses, where he was up 7-5 and one against Vincent, played on the final day of this round and was left unfinished at 6-3, 5-3! But unfinished it was, and it is Moses who lifts the cup to be our new group four champ. Well played!

GROUP FIVE
Winner: Sam Pearce

In a very tight and well contested group, unbeaten Sam came out on top despite being chased all the way by Elinor, who was the only player to achieve all six matches. Greg was just two points from beating Suzanne when they were timed out, but Greg sportingly accepts the result as a tie:

 “Alas the luck was on my side to be ahead when the two hours were up - 6-4, 3-6, 5-0 (and deuce in the 6th game). It was even enough to call it a tie, and unfortunately we are unlikely to meet this week for Suzanne's comeback.”

Sam however deserves to win the group. He dropped just one set in five matches, many of which are close, to battle his way to the top. Promotion now beckons!

GROUP SIX
Winner: John Barton

John takes the title by virtue of his 6-1, 6-4 win over Alison, who tied with him on five points. John was denied another two points when he was unable to finish his match against Anna with the score at 0-6, 7-5, 3-0.

Midway for bonus points and a Free tube of tennis balls, Sunday 15th May 2011

Please report scores to KBtennisleague@googlemail.com
Please do send match commentaries too - we may quote from them in our emailed round updates.
To make input easier our end, please use the format: John McEnroe bt Bjorn Borg (Feb 21) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Thanks! W=won, L=lost, UF=unfinished