31 July v Derbyshire
Team: John Ellis (capt), Kevin Oxley, John Carter, Colin Croom
Venue: Chesterfield Tennis Club
Result: Notts won 3-1
Captain’s Report
The eventual score of 3 rubbers to 1 and 7 – 3 in sets does not truly reflect how keenly fought and evenly matched this fixture actually was.
After losing the first 4 games in the opening rubber, Oxley and Ellis won the next 6 games to take the first set, and then promptly lost the second 7-5 before taking the match tie-break 10-7. Carter and Croom beat their opposite numbers 7-5, 6-4 in another very close contest
The match was finally decided in the next round when Oxley and Ellis won 4 and 4. Carter and Croom, after dropping the first set fought back strongly to level at 1 set all, eventually loosing in the match tie-break.
Altogether a most enjoyable match and satisfying result.
7 August v Gloucestershire
Team: John Ellis (capt), Kevin Oxley, John Carter, Colin Croom
Venue: Gloucester Tennis Centre
Result: Notts won 3-1
Captain’s Report:
The match, which was to have been played on the grass courts at the East Gloucestershire Club, was moved to the Gloucester Tennis Centre due to inclement weather. As with most of our matches this year, the first round saw both our pairs beat their opposite numbers, Oxley and Ellis by 2 sets to 1 taking the match tie-break 10-7, and Carter and Croom 6-3, 6-4.
In the 2nd. Round, Carter and Croom were defeated by Agius and Fox 6-1, 6-3 but Oxley and Ellis beat Billingham and Martin 3 and 2 to take the match comfortably by 3 rubbers to 1 and 6 – 3 in sets.
This was our final match of the year and the win completes an undefeated season of played 5 won 5 with one match conceded by Wiltshire who were unable to field a team due injuries and illness
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking our original Captain, Ian Smith, for arranging all the fixtures, booking the venues and taking us successfully through the first match against Oxfordshire before deciding to step down as Captain. His efforts made my job of taking over very easy.
Thankyou also to West Bridgford Tennis Club for allowing us the use of the indoor courts and their facilities in general. I know for a fact that visiting teams very much enjoy playing at West Bridgford
Last but not least, thank you to Kevin Oxley, John Carter and Colin Croom for their splendid performance in carrying our team through the entire season undefeated.