Herne Bay Lawn Tennis Club

The Barn Dance at The Oddfellows club on Friday 20th June was thoroughly enjoyed by the few club members who came and raised £210 towards club funds.

This much delayed division one final was played at Herne Bay against Bromley LTC 1 and was a close encounter. The Bay’s 1st pair, Martin Beckley/Dominic Wood, won both their rubbers in straight sets while their 2nd pair, Ian Cooke/Graham Miles, lost one rubber in a match tie break and the other in a 2nd set tie break. Overall the score was level on rubbers but Herne Bay were triumphant by 5 sets to 4 and lifted the division shield for the 1st time.

Herne Bay players were well represented and very successful in the KM finals held at Beartsed on Sunday. Sally Holmes won 3 titles 2 in the veterans competitions and one in the main draw – a feat that had not been accomplished before. In the main draw she partnered Dominic Wood in the mixed competition and they beat Giles Davey and Faye Tagg from Tunbridge Wells 7-5, 7-5. She then paired up with Anne Gibbs to win both the ladies doubles and the ladies veteran doubles titles. The pair defeated Theresa Flay and Julie Plamer of Maidstone 6-1, 6-3 and Jane Gentle and Jane Humphrey also of Maidstone 6-1, 6-4. Keith Clark won the over 45 singles title when he defeated Steve Wright of Gillingham 6-1, 6-2.

Three Herne Bay players were also in the Finals of the KM super veterans competition also held at Bearsted. Clark played in 3 finals. In the over 50’s singles he beat Gunther Dergen 6-1, 6-4 and then paired up with Gary Sims for 2 finals. In the mens doubles over 50/60’s they beat Thorneycroft and Thompson 6-3, 6-3 but were defeated in the 50 and over doubles by Milligan and Evans 4-6, 5-7. Sims then teamed up with Lionel Hoskins to win the over 60/70’s doubles against Paul Drane and Phil Pretty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Herne Bay Tennis Club’s quiz night took place on the 18th April at the Oddfellow’s Hall (Keith Clark’s Club) on Ramsgate High Street. The club members and friends who attended had a great evening and the event raised £570 for club funds. Thanks are due to Gwen and Keith Clark for use of the hall and setting the questions and to Diane Miles for organising everything else.

The Herne Bay mens over 60 midweek team took the Kent division 1 title with a hundred percent record. The team members were Keith Clark, Gary Sims, Brian Cooper, Lionel Hoskins and Peter Grimwood.

3 of our winter teams have reached the divisional finals of this winter’s Kent League Competitions.

The ladies 1st team won all their matches in division 1 and have to playedTunbridge Wells 1 away on Friday 18th April. They lost 3-1 to a strong Tunbridge team. Sally and Gill won the one rubber and Sarah & Anne were the other pair.

The mixed 1st team won 3 matches and lost 1 in division 1 and narrowly reached the final on win percentage. The team played Margate on the 5th April in a repeat of last year’s final. Unfortunately they lost 3-1. Sally and Dominic won the one rubber and Peter played with Gill in the absence of the injured Anne. They played well but lost 2 very close rubbers.

The mens’ veterans team also won 3 matches and lost 1 in division 1. They have a home venue for the final against Bromley LTC. A date for the final has not yet been agreed.