Another weekend of AEGON Junior Matches with excellent results for the club. Unfortunately, once again a few of the teams received walkovers and teams dropping out from their league. Summary of results shown below and additional match reports from some of the Captains shown with (R):

Match Report 1 from Paul Ruston

After a one-sided opening match, which we won 15-1 against Downswood LTC, we faced an away fixture against an Epsom team that could be our closest challengers, having also won their opening match 15-1.

The team arrived 30 minutes early to warm up and get ‘Orange ball’ tennis out of their systems. It’s fair to say there were a few nerves as they knew it was likely to be a much tougher task than the first match. Reigate made steady progress in the first two rounds of rubbers and led 5-3 at the halfway stage. A sugar fix seemed to make all the difference and we won 7 of the final 8 rubbers to secure an impressive 12-4 win.

Olivia and Luca maintained their 100% records in the tournament so far. Sam fought hard to contribute two wins and then immediately demanded that Dad head back to RLTC to play Orange ball! But the player of the match goes to Ethan who bounced back from illness and the disappointment of a sluggish start in the first two rubbers to close out with two wins against Epsom’s two best players.

Well done everyone.

Match Report 2 from Filippo Molinari

I would like to congratulate Freddie, Skye, Tomos and Emily for their performance yesterday. It was a very close fixture against a more experienced team. It was neck to neck to the end and am very pleased with the growth in confidence I have seen during the various matches. The last couple of matches saw Reigate Priory LTC coming ahead with a total of 9 to 7 wins against us (18 - 14 rubbers). I have attached a picture of both team players and hope the children have enjoyed the experience.

Match Report 3 from Debs McWilliams

The 9&U team travelled to Epsom Lawn Tennis Club for their second match of the season and on a baking hot day fought hard to secure their second win of the season, 16 rubbers to 4.

First up was the doubles which the team dominated to get off to a great start with two wins. The singles matches were all hotly contested in the searing heat and sunshine with all but one going to three sets. Anna and Isabella each won both of their singles matches against Epsom’s 1 and 2 seeded boys. Isabella showed great resilience coming back to win both her matches after losing the first set in each. The girls had to deal with some hard hitting serving from the Epsom boys. Harry and Olivia both won one and lost one in the singles matches. Each of their losses coming in tight three set battles against Epsom’s number 3 seeded boy. The team, parents included(!), now have a well-earned rest with a couple of weekends off before their next match at home against Cranleigh on 28 May.

Match Report 4 from Debs McWilliams

The RLTC U12s Girls Team 2 played their first home match of the season against local rivals Reigate Priory LTC, coming away with a hard fought and well deserved win. Annabella Woodruff and Ella McWilliams having steadily improved during the winter league season finally got the first win their play deserved.

Annabella comfortably won her singles match against Priory’s 2nd seed 6-2 6-0 with a combination of speed around the court and clever play. Annabella then had a long rest in the sun as Ella played out an epic singles match against Priory’s 1st seed. Their match went on well over an hour with great play on both sides enjoyed by a gallery of spectators biting their nails and getting increasingly sunburned as the match wore on. Unfortunately, Ella lost out 14-12 in the 3rd set champions tie break but we had seen enough to be confident that Annabella and Ella would prevail in the doubles. And so it proved with RLTC girls running out 6-1 6-1 winners, their decisive volleying, Ella’s powerful ground strokes and Annabella’s tireless retrieving winning the day.

Match Report from Julia Robley-Dixon

This was the first outing for the Reigate Girls U14 Team 1 as DLRP had withdrawn at short notice providing a walkover for Reigate. Super facilities at Roehampton saw all 4 girls playing their singles matches simultaneously. The sun was shining and the standard of tennis made for a wonderful afternoon. All of the girls played opponents at or above their ratings. Sofia, Charlotte and Amelia all won their singles with Madeleine contesting a 1hour 45 minutes singles match to narrowly concede 10-5 in the tie break. With Reigate set to win the match as long as they won at least one doubles match the girls headed out with Tabby joining Madeleine in the 2nd doubles pairing. After more fabulous tennis Reigate ended up 4-2 winners overall with Sofia and Charlotte finishing off the afternoon with a win in their doubles match. Great tennis from everyone against a strong team, well done to all of the players.

Well done to all the teams on another successful weekend of tennis with eight wins against four losses.

Richard Skalsky

Junior Chair