Men’s Over 35’s County Team played against Surrey on Friday in very tough blustery conditions. Jason Torpey debuted for the mens over 35s at #2 singles, he lost the 1st set 6-1 but turned the match around, won the 2nd set and took the match tie-break comfortably. Tom Sanders and Martin Calvert won their debut match for the Yorkshire over 35s and for Tom it was his debut for any Yorkshire team, to clinch the tie. Ben Gudzelak played #1 singles and won 6-2, 7-5 (from 5-3 down in the 2nd set) to seal a 3-0 win. On Saturday the team played Berkshire. The Captain Ben changed the team around and put Martin Calvert at #2 singles, he won 6-3, 6-0. Paul Ranson played with Jason Torpey and got off to a slow start and dropped their 1st service game. That proved decisive in the 1st set and they lost it 6-4. In the 2nd set they gelled together and won it 6-1, then took the match tie-break 10-8 to clinch the tie. Ben played at #1 singles and won 6-3, 6-2 to seal another 3-0 win.
The team had a late start on the Sunday and needed just 1 rubber to guarantee promotion against Leicestershire. Jason played at #2 singles again and won 6-1, 6-2 to gain promotion to Division 1. Tom Sanders and Paul Ranson teamed up and won 6-1, 7-6 and Ben played #1 singles and won 6-4, 6-4 for another 3-0 win without dropping a set!
The team had the biggest support, was the most vocal around the whole venue. A real team effort with everyone contributing on and off court. 3 men making their debuts and Tom representing Yorkshire for the 1st time. Ben says it will be tough in Division 1 next year as all 3 teams are very strong but the team are raring to and get stuck in!
Well done Team – from Yorkshire Tennis.