£18.00

Collapse AllDerby Singles - Round 12 | Thursday 25 April 2019 to Wednesday 19 June 2019 (Midpoint: Wednesday 22 May 2019)

Over 80% of matches played in a round where players gallantly braved the, sometimes, not ideal conditions to get their matches played. We really hope the wider-world of Derby tennis lovers is monitoring the league, because who wouldn't want to be part of this community of passionate, committed players? Hope you can play again next time, and if you can, do spread the word.

Group Summary:

An excellent defence of his title from Richard but Dave ensured it was a close run thing. By grabbing bonus points for efficient scheduling, Dave was able to match Richard's 12 points and that meant their head-to-head was a crucial match. It didn't disappoint. As Richard generously commented, "neither of us deserved to lose today." It was a match that caught the spirit of this action-packed group where everyone won a set if not a match. Andy and Anthony tied for third place so again it's down to their own match to decide who wins the bronze, and in that - another tight affair - Anthony just edged it. Excellent tennis everyone and the commentaries are some of the best in all the leagues nationwide!

Final Rankings:

Pos. Name Played P Won W Lost L Bonus BNS Total PTS Form
1 Richard Burley 6 6 0 0 12 WWWW
2 Dave Humphries 6 4 2 2 12 WLLW
3 Anthony Barrable 6 4 2 2 10 LWWW
4 Andy Butterton 6 3 3 2 10 WWLW
5 Andy Shaw 7 3 4 0 7 LLLL
6 Christopher Wood 6 0 6 2 3 LLLL
7 Simon Toms 1 1 0 0 2 W
8 Michael Chester 6 1 5 0 2 LLLL

Match Results:

Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Anthony Barrable (Jun 19) 6-1, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "For a change the weather was nice!! As soon as we started I knew Tony was going to be tricky to play as he was so consistent. Because of his speed around the court I had to pick my spots with my forehand. That tactic and thankfully some good serving from myself got me far enough ahead in both sets to allow me to relax a little and free up on my shots. Had Tony got a few more games early in both sets I would have felt the pressure and it would have been much tighter. There were some huge rallies and several deuce games in this so this scoreline is a little misleading!! Thanks again Tony, you’re a great guy and a pleasure to play!!"  -- Richard
  • "It was great to play Richard who's all round game is so complete. He was in total control of our match, but I was pleased to be in involved in some great rallies with Richard. A great competitor and all round nice guy and worthy winner of this round. Thanks Richard," -- Anthony
Reveal CommentSimon Toms bt Andy Shaw (Jun 19) 6-4, 6-3

Player Comments:

  • "Good match"  -- Simon
Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Christopher Wood (Jun 19) 6-0, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "Nice to see Chris again despite the weather being rather grim! A game which didn’t have much flow to it as the balls really skidded on the surface. This stopped Chris from finding consistency in his shots coming off, and that gave me an extra advantage on the day. Good game though, despite the weather!"  -- Richard
  • "Great game against Rich in the rain. Totally outclassed today. It didnt matter where i put the ball Rich was there and made a winning shot. School report would say " must try harder and run faster". Looking forward to playing again," -- Chris
Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Andy Shaw (Jun 16) 6-2, 6-2

Player Comments:

  • "Really slippy, wet conditions possibly suiting me more than Andy but we got it played. Andy was always in every game but made more unforced errors than me overall which possibly put more pressure on Andy’s serve. He served well but I blocked a lot back that possibly others wouldn’t, forcing Andy to play another ball. I served pretty well but didn’t play out my skin. More the balance of unforced errors tipping the balance overall. Always good to play Andy though and have a catch up at the same time. I don’t like competing against team mates really but that’s singles for you!!!"  -- Richard
Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Michael Chester (Jun 15) 6-1, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "The courts were slippy today and the ball didn’t bounce much, which didn’t help the flow of the game but it was just about playable. It was enjoyable non the less and nice to meet Mike. Top bloke, hope to play you again at some point in the future."  -- Richard
Reveal CommentAnthony Barrable bt Andy Shaw (Jun 13) 6-4, 6-0

Player Comments:

  • "It never fails to amaze me that tennis scores hardly ever reflect the match itself. This was a close match and I got lucky on a couple of shots that landed on the lines when we both thought they were going out! Andy has an excellent serve which is difficult to return. Played in wet conditions but good sporting spirit. Thanks for the game Andy. Anthony Barrable."  -- Anthony
Reveal CommentAndy Butterton bt Michael Chester (Jun 4) 6-4, 6-3

Player Comments:

  • "Michael was carrying a shoulder injury so was not playing to his best ability nevertheless there were some decent rallies and Michael was unlucky not to take 1st set. However after a slow start I managed to claw my way back and take 1st set. The second was a little easier although Michael put up a good fight especially towards the end of the 2nd set."  -- Andy
Reveal CommentAndy Butterton bt Andy Shaw (May 31) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

Player Comments:

  • "Andy S dominated the first set taking it comfortably 6-3. I fought back in 2nd set and consolidated my lead in 3rd set taking it 6-2. A hard fought contest with some good rallies. Thanks for the game Andy. AndyB"  -- Andy
Reveal CommentDave Humphries bt Michael Chester (May 31) 6-0, 6-2

Player Comments:

  • "Thanks to Mike for coming to CURC on a beautiful afternoon. Mike struggled in the first set, in particular trying to get used to moving around and gauging the bounce on the artificial surface. He gained more confidence in the second set, serving better too and gained two games on his serve. Cheers for the doubles match afterwards too. "  -- Dave
Reveal CommentAndy Shaw bt Michael Chester (May 28) 6-2, 7-5

Player Comments:

  • "The first set was closer than the score indicated. Michael was hitting the out wide serve really well. An early break of serve and I was 4-1 up. Michael took another game and I was able to serve it out to take the first set 6-2. The 2nd set was a lot closer with a break each at the start of the set. Both of us held serve until 4 games all. Michael held serve to lead 5-4 and had a set point when I had a wobble serving to level at 5 all. I was able to steady the game and got a break to go 6-5 up and then served to take the set 7-5 A really good battle. Thanks Michael. "  -- Andy
Michael Chester bt Christopher Wood (May 24) 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)

Match of the Group:

Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Dave Humphries (May 18) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6

Player Comments:

  • "Good to see Richard again, knew it s going to be a close match! First set Richard's serves were very dominant and he broke mine with games going to deuce. In the second stayed with serve, but managed to break his to go 4-2 up but he broke back immediately. Then I held to go 5-3 up. Richard had a bit of trouble with his contact lens, so broke again to take the second 6-3. He sorted it out at the swap and in the third went with serves but also a break each so came into the tie break. I made two errors at the net so Richard went 4-1 up and he held his own, the tie finishing 7-4. Well done, deserved win. Thanks for a good hard match!"  -- Dave
  • "In reply to Dave’s comment ‘deserved win’ is not true. Neither of us deserved to lose today. There was so little between us it literally came down to the final set tiebreak ‘wobble’ if you could call it that, from Dave. I say wobble. Literally 2 missed finishes that gave me some space to get through the tiebreak the winner. Dave, thanks for not only a great game but also the manner in which we played it. Win or lose I’d play you every day of the week and enjoy it," -- Richard
Reveal CommentAnthony Barrable bt Andy Butterton (May 16) 7-5, 7-5

Player Comments:

  • "It's always a tough but enjoyable match between Andy and me and this evening's was no exception. Early in the 1st set Andy was completely dominant. I slowly clawed my way back and just edged it. In the second set, a role reversal, with me taking the early games and then Andy coming back late on. I was lucky to get the breaks and edge the second set. Thanks Andy for coming over to Matlock and for a most enjoyable match."  -- Anthony
Reveal CommentAnthony Barrable bt Michael Chester (May 15) 6-2, 6-0

Player Comments:

  • "Mike & I had to split this match over two dates due to time constraints. Some good rallies and the score not really reflecting this."  -- Anthony
Reveal CommentAndy Shaw bt Christopher Wood (May 13) 6-3, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "The first set was a close one with Chris taking advantage of an early break and leading 3-1. Andy levelled and took the next 3 games to take the set. Set 2 was more closer than the score suggests with lots of decent rallies" Andy
  • "Well done Andy. Your 1st serves and forehand were excellent. My service game fell apart again... too many double faults... well done again." Chris
Reveal CommentAndy Shaw bt Dave Humphries (May 12) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6

Player Comments:

  • "A very close match, first set went with serves then Andy broke Dave at 4 all then held to take the set. In the second Dave responded well and broke Andy a couple of times to take 6-1. Final set continued with serves til 6-6 so tie break. Andy led 4-2 at swap but Dave pulled back to lead 5-4. Then it was 6-6 at the second swap. Andy saved a match point at 6-7 by hitting 2 very good serves to lead 8-7. Finally, 2 long rallies got Andy the win at 10-8. A great match!"  -- Dave
  • "The first set was tight with minimal break opportunities and dominated by serve. After the first set I lost momentum and Dave took an assertive 4-0 lead and my only salvation in that set was 1 service hold and Dave was dominant. The the deciding set we both were a bit edgy Serving at 4-5 in the 3rd set Dave had match point at 30-40 but I held my nerve and served well to hold. Two more holds and we were in a tie break! I took an early mini break to go 4-2 up, I had my first match point but then Dave levelled and we were at 6-6. A few tense rallies and we were at 8-9 and then with a forehand into the back hand corner which went wide sealed the match. A great tussle! Thanks Dave" Andy
Reveal CommentAndy Butterton v Simon Toms (May 11) 7-6 TBC

Player Comments:

  • "Match was stopped because of rain showers"  -- Andy
Reveal CommentAndy Butterton bt Christopher Wood (May 7) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "The first set saw myself take an early lead but Chris fought back and took 6 games in a row to clinch the set. I had to dig deep to take the next 2 sets, which saw some tight games and great volleys at the net from Chris. "  -- Andy
  • "Well done Andy. A great match as always. I thought this could be my day but your serve and accurate shots in the 2nd and 3rd sets beat me in the end. I look forward to our next match." Chris
Reveal CommentDave Humphries bt Andy Butterton (May 4) 6-1, 6-4

Player Comments:

  • "Planned to play at Woodlands but had to change venue due to an event there, so thanks to Andy for coming to CURC. Conditions were tricky with the wind but I settled in quickly taking the first set. In the second, Andy's serve became his weapon, winning his service games quite easily. A little different for my service games, but managed to hang in there, games going with serve. Then I managed to break Andy's at 5-4 to complete the second set."  -- Dave
Reveal CommentAnthony Barrable bt Christopher Wood (May 2) 6-1, 6-3

Player Comments:

  • "Many thanks to Chris for coming over to Matlock and then as a result of rain, on to Chesterfield indoor to play our match. Played in a very sporting manner. Chris has a great 1st serve and his retrievals where unbelievable at times. Although the 1st set slipped past him, it didn't tell the story of a close encounter. In the second set, Chris came back taking control and forcing a close finish. Thanks again Chris for a great match."  -- Anthony
  • "Many thank to Tony for sorting an indoor venue for our match at such short notice. The Matlock "monsoon" was in full swing when we arrived. Tony is a great chap and played really well. Fully deserving of the win." Christopher
Reveal CommentDave Humphries bt Christopher Wood (Apr 30) 6-0, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "Well played Dave. I struggled against Daves serve and his accurate passing shots. My own game failed terribly but at least i know that if double faults ever become an Olympic sport im heading for gold!!! Well done again."  -- Christopher
  • Chris took a while to get going in this match, swapping rackets early in the second set. From then on he found more control with his shots, the proceeding games then going to deuce and the match being closer than the scoreline states. We played doubles afterwards and Chris' gameplay just got better and better as time went by.
Reveal CommentDave Humphries bt Anthony Barrable (Apr 28) 6-3, 6-1

Player Comments:

  • "A close match really with quite a few games going to deuce. Some good baseline rallies but Dave just having the upper hand when it counted. Good serving from both players considering the wind at the end of storm Hannah. Cheers Tony for travelling from Matlock"  -- Dave
  • "Dave always had the edge in this match. His anticipation and shot selection was 1st class. Dave is one of the nicest guys you'll find on the tennis court," -- Anthony
Reveal CommentRichard Burley bt Andy Butterton (Apr 28) 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, [11-9]

Player Comments:

  • "A tightly fought match with plenty of long rallies. I took the first set on a tie break. Rich came storming back to take 2nd set 6-1. Due to time constraints a tie break was played on lieu of a 3rd set. Which Rich took after surviving 2 match points against him. Well played bossman!"  -- Andy
  • "This was a great match with the longest rallies I’ve ever been involved in. Andy took the first set tie break which was a blow for me. I somehow started the second set strongly though and dominated it but due to the length of these rallies time constraints meant this could only be decided by a championship tiebreak. I was very lucky to get through a couple of match points for Andy but scraped through in the end. A credit to Andy, he wanted it and ever so nearly got it!!!" Richard