British Tennis - Kent TENNiSYS Inter Club Leagues Summer 2016
Firstly congratulations to Piers having a great season I know Piers has been after the Bournemouth open for a while so congratulations.
Both our A1 Pharmaceuticals sponsored players ATP world ranked Pro Neil Pauffley & youngster Tarique Tongue-Bobia turned out for our last Kent match of the season an emphatic 4-0 win over Hayes 1.
Gary said I have been fortunate enough to pair with some Great British pro players including Marcus Willis (great fun) and Nick Fulwood (master tactician) but Neil top the lot put me at ease and guided me through the match.
Neil took it seriously, clinical and stayed focus and naturally did a lot of running with only 4 errors I started counting as there were none in the first set.
The experience was in complete contrast to 6-0 6-1 defeat with a pro earlier in the season who clearly did not want to be there and said as much! I know it can be frustrating playing down in lower level matches but always appreciated when sponsored players put something back in and keep the teams a float.
"It does not matter how good you are you still have to put in the effort particularly when your playing with a 56 year old crock like myself and if your partners not up for it it's a real mountain to climb what ever the level".
Tarique who is only just turned 13 is getting some great doubles experience on the back of a junior grade 3 Doubles title recently, he's hitting the ball really well and I am sure he will become more tactically astute as we climb the doubles leagues.
We now have a chance of a 4th A1 tennis team title in 2016 with a men's Kent div play off 3/9/2016 although I will try and change the date as it clashes with Aegon Men's national finals which will be a chance to lift a 5th title and make history by becoming 1st club to win 3 consecutive men's team titles.
I am looking forward to getting my back treated and hoping to regain club champs doubles title with Neil in 2017 after a gap of 4 years it's nice to get back on the board at DL Beckenham.
Carmen's still recovering from injury but it's great to have her back playing in the team's again! her absence has unfortunately meant that we have been scratched in north Kent ladies & mixed.
Tarique is playing at Bexley grade 4 this week and Neil Pauffley is training with Alexis Canter prior to a 3 week series of futures in Austria on the clay perfect preparation for a 3rd defence of the National Aegon men's title. Also special Congratulations to Piers Herfet-Jones our Aegon men's B and unbeaten No1 who lifted the Bournemouth Open on Saturday at the West Hants club.
Well done to all our players great weekend of results.
Gary Lewis
A1 Pharmaceuticals LTC
