Windsor LTC teams get back to competitive action after festive fun (From Penarth Times)

Windsor LTC teams get back to competitive action after festive fun

7:40am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

THE festive period was a relaxing time at Penarth Windsor LTC, with the Christmas tournament a highlight as good numbers turned out to play with as much verve and dexterity as their festive costumes would allow.

Dan James triumphed in the Santa trophy and Erin O’Doherty took home the Holly cup. Jill Halpin and David Clarke were voted best dressed Santas as attention turned to the mulled wine, mince pies and carols.

The frivolities ceased last weekend though, as the teams’ attentions turned back to the Cymru Kitchens League. With every team still in contention to finish top of their leagues, there was every need to hit the ground running; however, the fixture list had not been kind.

The women’s 1sts hosted division-topping Cardiff Castle 2nds, recalling too well their 4-0 defeat on the opening day of the season. The scores were 1-1 after the first round, and Windsor had a tremendous chance to close the gap when Nicky Richie and Lowri Hughes won their second match to put Windsor one rubber away from victory.

An agonisingly close tie-break defeat for Beth Hughes and Nicky Davies meant the match ended in a draw. Although it doesn’t affect the result, Windsor won more games over the course of the match, which will give them a confidence boost.

The men’s 2nds and 3rds also had a showdown with their league leaders, and a squad of Tim Dawes, Dyfri Owen, Ben Bellingham and Alex Brown travelled to Whitchurch. All four matches boasted high quality tennis but the Whitchurch team showed why they have a 100 per cent record this season, closing out for a 4-0 win.

The thirds fell to a 3-1 defeat to Virgin Active that could so easily have finished 3-1 to Windsor. There was an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory for Colin Jones and Alan Hope, before Anthony Phillips and Rhys Fford played well but lost on a third set tie break.

Colin and Alan then met the same fate as the match was snatched away from them, having clinched the first set in a thrilling 14-12 tie break. Anthony and Rhys found some late form but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 6-1, 7-6 defeat. Special mention goes to Rhys, an up-and-coming junior who showed terrific promise on his Winter League debut.

The women’s 2nds maintained their unbeaten record after their match at Pentyrch was postponed, as was the men’s 1sts home match against Cardiff Castle.

This week is apparently the one where most resolutions are broken, so if you’re intent to stick with your plan to keep fit, men’s and ladies’ nights are back under way under the improved lights at 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, New members welcome.