Date: 28.05.11

Team: Jeff Howe, James Patten, Domenic Bell and Ian Mcilrath

The Mens 5th team continued their unbeaten run and sit proudly at the top of the league table after a very close match against a very solid Wigmore Team. With the much anticipated and overdue debut of James Patten and the inclusion of new player Domenic Bell, Ashford were bolstered with the experience of old heads (pardon the expression) of Ian Mcilrath and Jeff Howe.

Jeff and James started the day well winning their first rubber in straight sets 6-3/6-4, and came agonisingly close to winning the 2nd rubber, only to lose in a very close Championship Tie Break 4-6/7-5/0-1 (7-10 CTB) Ian and Dom however found their first rubber tough going and lost the 1st match in straight sets 5-7/3-6, however in true 5th team spirit, the boys came out in the second rubber with a real point to prove winning the match on a championship tie break. 6-3/5-7/1-0 (10-7 CTB)

Final Score: Draw 2-2

Date: 01.05.11

Team: Jeff Howe, John White, Tom Murrell and Keith Lester.

Report: On a sunny but windy spring morning, the Ashford Mens 5th team came away with a tough win against Sutton Churches. In a game that could have gone either way, the boys showed real team spirit to close out a good win and a great start to the summer campaign.

Jeff Howe and John White did well winning their first rubber in straight sets 6-4/6-2 and their second in similar style 6-3/6-4.

Tom Murrell and Keith Lester were the heroes of the day, playing some epic tennis!

In the first rubber, the boys found themselves a set down, but rallied in the second set to bring the game level, winning the game in the Championship tie-break!! 4-6/6-4/1-0 (10-6 tb)

In the second rubber, they came out all guns blazing winning their first set in style, but were unable to keep the momentum, losing the second set in the same manner that they won the first. However Keith and Tom showed some excellent composure, to take the tie break and complete a convincing win for Ashford! 6-1/1-6/1-0 (10-5 tb)

Final score 4-0 Ashford

With the fixtures coming thick and fast, we will look to build on the momentum that this result has provided and look to use the strong depth of the squad over the coming weeks.

Ashford 5th Team Vs Barnes (Away) – 30th January 2011

Team: Ian Mcilrath, Tom Bolshaw, Sean Keeling and Keith Lester

Well after suffering 3 back to back losses this season, against some tough opposition, we finally managed to register our 1st win of the season and in some style!!!

As a squad we have all been very disappointed with our results this season and have been working very hard during practice to make sure that we learn from every single loss. As a result, both Pairs came out all guns blazing and really wanted the win!!

Final Score: 4-0 to Ashford, 8 sets to 0, 48 Games to 9

A well deserved win that reflects the passion and commitment that every squad member has given this winter!!!

MOM: Sean, Keith, Ian and Tom - Brilliant performance from all of you!!!

Lost 1-3

Date: 17^th October 2010

Team: Matt H, Jeff H, Tom B and Ian M

The winter campaign got off to a disappointing start this morning going down 3-1 to Raynes Park

Tom Bolshaw made his debut for the team showing some real potential and was completely unfazed by the prospect of making the step up to the senior ranks and Ian Mcilrath had a great match, making life very difficult for the home team, by not allowing Raynes Park to settle into any type of rhythm, with some inspired tennis!!

Tom and Ian finished the day 1-1 (Losing their final match on a championship tie-break)

Matt and Jeff unfortunately couldn’t start the winter campaign in the same fashion that they finished the summer season by losing 0-2

Captains Summary: On the whole I feel that although the result was disappointing, as a team we are improving every week and that the overall level of tennis today was very positive.

MOM: Ian Mcilrath

Next up, Banstead Downs at Home!!