Leeds Tennis League

Congratulations to Chapel Allerton, 2008 winners of the Leeds Tennis Winter League!

(men, L-R): Chris Priestley, Roland Hom, Eric de Hennezel, Dave Baggaley (capt), Iain Griffin, (women, L- R) Lauren Hamburg, Audrey Reed, Cath Blakeman

Chapel Allerton concluded their victorious season with a 6-0 hammering of Towers, who were playing their final ever game, just six days before folding as a club. Despite Horsforth also whitewashing their opponents (Pool), it wasn’t enough to overturn Chapel A, who finished on the same points but with a +4 better rubbers difference. Bardsey finished their season with a flourish to take third place, with a 5-1 win over St Chad’s and a 6-0 win over Kirkstall.

So, a great season from Chapel Allerton, who only slipped up once all season, that being their first game, which was 2-4 against Roundhay. I think it’s fair to say it’s been a real club effort by Chapel A, with 15 different players having represented the club over the season. It’s a testament to their strength in depth that in the key matches they’ve been able to field strong teams to overcome the better opposition, whilst rotating other players in against the lower ranked clubs. The main players have been Iain Griffin, Chris Priestley, Roland Hom, Eric de Hennezel, David Baggaley, Alice Ridout, Catherine Hannan, Liz Willis, Audrey Reed and Selena Kearvell, with ‘cameo’ appearances from Lucy Bate, Jack Pykett, Cath Blakeman, Lauren Hamburg and Rachel Sutherland. Given their new Gallic determination, I would not bet against Chapel A following up their maiden title win next year.

Special mention must go to Horsforth though, who fought Chapel A all the way and looked for a while to have taken the title, but just lost it about three matches from the end and, indeed, Rawdon, who led for much of the season but faded away to fourth at the end.

All the results:

St Chad’s 1 Bardsey 5

Adel 3 Kirkstall 3

Roundhay 6 Boston Spa 0

Pool 1 Towers 5

Horsforth 6 Pool 0

St Chad’s 1.5 David Lloyd 4.5

Bardsey 6 Georgian 0

Rawdon 5 Kirkstall 1

Wetherby 0 David Lloyd 6

Towers 0 Chapel Allerton 6

Bardsey 6 Kirkstall 0

Click here for the final table.

So, that’s just about it from me, so I’ll sign off for this winter. Until next year - and enjoy the summer tennis season.

Paul Copley