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Photos: TK Rohit
York Mixed Doubles battled hard to share the points against tough opposition whilst York Men’s 2nds were frustrated by talented Lancastrians.
The Mixed Doubles led before a ball had been served in their Roses competition this year after a Lancastrian girl pulled out due to ill health.
However, Lancaster was quick to level the score after one of their pairings capitalised on some nervous play from Vicky Whittaker. Despite putting up a real fight, Whittaker and Masters went down 2-6, 1-6.
Yet, York was soon 2-1 ahead, Sam Davies and Katharina Thanner prevailing 11-9 in a match tiebreak after two sets could not separate them from their opponents.
York soon after extended their lead, Steve McNicol and Annie Campbell conquering their opponents 7-4 in another match tiebreak.
Lancaster then closed the gap, Mark Andrews and Natasha Johnson being defeated 5-7, 3-6 despite breaking their opponents’ serve in the opening game and playing some fantastic shots.
Whether York was going to take all four points on offer or just two came down to whether Maxime Reby and Charlotte Baldwin could vanquish their opponents. It was another tight match but they went down 9-11 in yet another match tiebreak despite some quite brilliant play from Reby.
York therefore had to settle for only two points; it had been a close affair, three of the rubbers being decided by match tiebreaks.
The Men’s 2nds Tennis began with three cagey doubles matches. York was behind early on after Alisdair Killin and John Graham were defeated 3-6, 3-6 by a stern Lancastrian pair.
However, it was soon all square. Captain Alistair Hunt and club legend Brad Hudson winning their first set with ease before overturning a 0-3 deficit in the second set to overcome their opponents 6-2, 6-4.
Yet, York was trailing soon after, Ben Sainsbury and Tom Freeman losing their rubber 4-10 on a match tiebreak despite some quality shots.
It was then time for the six singles matches. John Graham went down 2-6, 3-6 in his singles match: he played some beautiful shots but his opponent was even more accurate.
Brad Hudson was then defeated 1-6, 4-6, himself admitting he made far too many unforced errors.
Ben Sainsbury then restored some hope to the away side, vanquishing his opponents 6-3, 6-2 with some quite brilliant play.
Unfortunately this hope rapidly died, Alisdair Killin, (What a name!), being overcome 6-7, 4-6 in a tight encounter.
Tom Freeman then lost 5-7, 6-7 to an industrious Lancastrian, afterwards commenting that he had had an “off day”.
Captain Alistair Hunt was then defeated 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 by a Lancastrian who frustrated throughout, taking all the pace off the ball. In his marathon effort, one particular highlight was a superb lob after a lengthy rally. Alistair Hunt, take a bow!
Post match, Hunt, (after succinctly admitting his disappointment), praised the effort of all the members of his team and in particular Ben Sainsbury for winning his singles match. Brad Wood also added that “we usually thrash Lancaster in York but, at home, they have more players available.”
In the end, York was defeated 2-7, Lancaster taking the two points on offer.