Timcredible

Northumbria Tennis experienced mixed fortunes on a day of complete contrasts in BUCS competition.

The first team hosted the Yorkshire side Leeds Met IV in the cup. Captain Harry Peach and his team of Marc Rowles, Alex Boynton and Will Gaunt were underdogs coming into the game and the formbook didn’t lie.

There were, however, some encouraging early signs for Northumbria with some good technical tennis played against one of the stronger sides in the country.

Peach, who plays number one, was forced to bow out of the singles after picking up an injury at the start of the doubles leaving him struggling to serve. In his place stepped in second team recruit Daniel Bracken to play at number four.

Unfortunately the injury to the captain was a setback too far for Northumbria and they went on to lose both their singles matches and doubles matches, giving Leeds the overall 12-0 win.

Peach said: “They were just too good for us on this occasion but we will continue to work hard.”

The second team, however, held their own and in great style. Tim Andrews and his team of Jake Ramsey, Robin Hillson, Alex Isles and Jonny Purkiss played host to York thirds in the league.

Being one of the stronger sides in the league, Northumbria were determined to put this particular game to bed. And tuck it away they did.

The captain led the way with Ramsey in the first of the doubles games. Playing what the captain described as ‘awesome tennis’ Northumbria blew York away to claim a 6–3, 6–4 straight sets win.

The second partnership of Hillson and Isles enjoyed equal success and the skipper added: “I was proud of the boys and all of their performances.”

When the singles came, the seconds suffered their own share of bad luck when Andrews had to step aside after feeling a shoulder injury he picked up a few weeks before.

But Purkiss stepped up to the plate and defeated his opponent comfortably and Northumbria were well worth their 12-0 win.

Andrews added: “All the boys showed great promise and we are all looking forward to our next match against York St Johns.”

WIill Snaith

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