The teams have been practicing regularly on a Tuesday evening throughout the winter. The February result showed us to be top of our division having completed all of our games, we are not getting too excited at this stage as some of the teams below us still have games in hand. We only had 2 losses out of seven the rest were either wins or draws. Steve’s training sessions and the regular practice sessions have shown a great improvement in the team especially amongst regular attendees. This was a much better performance compared to the previous year. So well done all!

Ashford Ladies Woking 'B' versus Wishel, AWAY, Sun 6th Feb 2011

Ashford Team:

Di Henderson and Sue Rocca (1)

Tessa Whitehorn and Ruth Dimes (2)

Wishel Team:

Molly White and Elli Bradshaw (1)

Vivienne Quest and Doreen Williams (2)

Result:

Wishel WON 5 sets to 3 (and 39 games to 33) – Ashford gained 1 point

1v2 - 6-3, 6-2 Ashford WIN

1v1 - 6-3, 5-7 DRAW

2v1 - 2-6, 1-6 Wishel WIN

2v2 – 4-6, 3-6 Wishel WIN

After a very windy week, Sunday saw the wind drop a little, but it still produced some awkward playing conditions. Di and Susan got off to a good start in the first game, getting up to a 5-1 lead, before winning out at 6-3. The second set was closely contested, but Di and Sue managed to win the important points. Di’s service was particularly effective.

Ruth and Tessa played together for the first time and came up against a fine young player and her partner, who ran down every ball. Despite some good rallies, the Wishel pair had a clear victory. The forehand of Molly was a devastating weapon on many occasions.

In the second round of matches, Di and Sue got off to a good start again, winning the first set 6-3. All went well at the start of the second set – up to 5-2. Then the Wishel pair started to play extremely well, and the set slipped away – despite best efforts – and Wishel won 7-5.

Ruth and Tessa didn’t have the same level of consistency as the Wishel second pair. They made a great comeback in the first set, but it was just not enough to overturn the 5-1 Wishel lead, and they lost 4-6. In the second set, there were many good rallies. One in particular had Wishel retrieving an excellent lob, only for the ball to land in the court by the net and then bounce so high up onto the very close wall, that it was unplayable! The closeness of the wall and fence surrounding the court was a feature that Wishel were used to using to best advantage! Wishel won out in the second set 6-3. Overall, the team had an enjoyable match, tinged with the frustration of just missing out on a Draw.

Ashford Ladies Woking 'B' v Birtley, at HOME, Sat 22nd Jan 2011
Ashford Team:
Di Henderson and Sue Rocca (1)
Raji Sharma-Drake and Ruth Dimes (2)
Birtley Team:
Rosie Shapiro and Janet McGowan (1)
Diana Federer and Caroline Federer (2)

Result:
Ashford WON 7 sets to 1 (and 46 games to 21) – 4 points
1v2 - 6-2, 6-1 Ashford WIN
1v1 - 6-1, 6-3 Ashford WIN

2v1 - 6-2, 6-2 Ashford WIN
2v2 - 6-4, 4-6 DRAW

After a good warm-up, the team were ready to go all out for a win. Di and Susan were not phased by the names of their opponents (Federer!) and stormed off to a 4-0 start in the first set, winning it comfortably 6-2. Second set flowed even better and was reflected in the 6-1 scoreline. Raji and Ruth kept up the good start, with a solid win 6-2, 6-2.
In the second match, Raji and Ruth came up against a much-improved performance from the younger Federer, but still managed to win the first set 6-4. Di and Susan again had a good start, winning the first set 6-1. Then, the opposition dug in and there were many long rallies. Di and Susan came through the victors with a 6-3 second set. Having told Raji and Ruth the 'good news', it had the opposite effect on their resolve, and they just lost the tight second set 4-6. Overall this was a fantastic win, especially as the opposing team were sitting higher in the league table than ourselves. We should now be in second place (if Raji's calculations are correct). Great result for all the team, who all played well on Saturday.
 

Ashford Ladies Woking 'B' vs Byfleet, AWAY, Sat 28th Nov 2010
Ashford Team:
Susan Rocca and Di Henderson (1)
Hannah Sullivan and Tessa Whitehorn (2)
Byfleet Team
Sue Lockwood and Pam Hill (1)
Jane Read and Edina Szucs (2)

RESULT - DRAW 4 sets each (Ashford 43 games, Byfleet 39) - 2 points
1v2 - 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 (Ashford WIN)
1v1 - 6-3, 3-6 (DRAW)
2v1 - 4-6, 6-7 (2-7) (Byfleet win)
2v2 - 4-6, 7-5 (DRAW)