Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bay players celebrate titles
Tennis
There have been successes for Herne Bay LTC as the Kent League season comes to a close.
The club’s ladies’ 1sts finished the indoor campaign top of Division 2A.
In the final match at Hythe, Bay won 6- 4 in sets after the score was level at two rubbers apiece. Both Bay pairings – Louise Tucker and Anne Gibbs and Nicola Mileham and Danielle Miles – lost tight matches in three sets to Hythe’s 1st pair but beat the hosts’ 2nd pair in straight sets.
Bay ladies’ veteran 2nds topped Division 3A. They eased to a 3-1 victory at home over United, with Debbie Holden and Denise Parrett winning both their rubbers in straight sets and the 2nd pairing of Sarah Pout and Sheila Wyver beating the visitors’ 2nd pair in three sets. They followed this up with a trip to nearest challengers Bromley 3rds and after a close match, the Bay duo of Holden and Parrett and new pairing of Pout and Helen Lipyeat, lost 36 games to 30 after the match finished level on rubbers and sets.
The mixed 3rds played at David Lloyd Beckenham 3rds in Division 7B. Bay’s first pair of Eddie Fisher and Caroline Packer won both their rubbers, while Dave Lawrence and Debbie Holden beat the home team’s 2nd pair. Bay lead the standings with one more match to play.
The ladies’ 3rds completed their fixtures with a win over Kemsing 3rds in Division 8A.
Denise Parrett and Sue Brinn and Diana High and Helen Lipyeat dropped only the one set to complete a 4- 0 rout.
The ladies’ over- 60s travelled to Bearsted & Thurnham 1sts in Division 1.
Sarah Pout and Kay Mileham won both their rubbers but Diana High and Anja Stileman lost to make it 2-2 in rubbers, losing out 5- 4 in sets. Against Bearsted & Thurnham 2nds, Bay were victorious with the same pairs winning 4- 0.
Bay’s mixed 2nds closed their campaign at home to Tunbridge Wells 4ths in Division 4B.
Danielle Miles and Ben Keighley won both their rubbers, while Nicola Mileham and Dan Walker took both pairs to three sets to finish level on two rubbers each but victorious 6- 4 in sets.
The mixed 1sts hosted Canterbury in the Deal Indoor League and won 6- 4 in sets.
Louise Tucker and Peter Elsden won both their rubbers, while Nicola Mileham and Graham Miles lost both theirs in three sets. The team have retained their title by topping the table as they did last year.
Herne Bay were represented in the Deal Singles Tournament by Alex Kazakeos and Ben Keighley. Kazakeos made it to the final, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Canterbury’s Matt Brears.
Keighley was knocked out in the semi-final by the eventual winner but took third place beating Broadstairs’ Simon Tonkiss 6-2, 7-5.
In the Maidstone men’s open doubles competition, Graham Miles and Ian Cooke lost in the semi-final, while Graham and Anne Gibbs have reached the mixed veterans’ final, with the match to be played on Sunday.
Gibbs is also in the final of the ladies’ vets, with Jo Moore from Hythe.
Play continues at the club for juniors and adults. More information can be found at www. hernebaytennis. co. uk or by contacting the club coach, Nicola Mileham, on just.tennisnic@yahoo.co.uk