Well, the tournament is now all done and dusted. Several close finals today including a 9-7 win for Hussein in men's  singles, a similar score line for Charlotte in the ladies and a tie break win in the mixed for Ben and Rosey.

Congrats to the four juniors who contested the ladies' doubles - and to eventual winners Lilia and Anna (Carisbrooke).  Other main draw winners were Dan and Andy in the men's doubles.

Reverse draw winners included Martin/Paul (men's doubles), Rizwan (Roundhill) (men's/singles), Louise "I don't do singles" Mehmet (ladies) and Jacquie and Alexander in the mixed.

Think everyone agreed it has been a successful week. Numbers were up on last year (77 v 63) and we were pleased to welcome a number of players from other clubs. Well organised by Gary with back up support from all our helpers in the kitchen, on the bar and with general organisation. Thanks to everyone, including all the loyal supporters who come down to watch, drink  and eat cake !

Everything rounded off today with pizza in the clubhouse and a hunt for the 2 sets of bar keys ! (Found!!).

Now onto the league season........

Thursday player of the night was Sue L - played 3, won 3.

Well done to Riz --- keeping the Roundhill flag flying & into a final on Saturday.

The crowd also witnessed Eddie Smith's final competitive match (for 6 months anyway). He goes under the knife at the weekend & hopes to come out with a new hip.

Paul Facer is into 2 finals & here is a photo of him gallantly sporting the Oadby Adidas Polo shirt (only £25).

Saturday finals will see the usual suspects - Minskis, Khans, Poultneys, Greenwoods, Howses, Zarinses , Irelands, Nobles, Van Der Byls, along with some other fresh faces Boukikovs, Lesters, Pandeys, Galevas, Stephensons, Facers, Sarangs, Shentons, Mehmets, Kings & O' Connors.

Finals are all arranged for 3 hours on Saturday afternoon, rather than spread out over a longer time period.

At the end of  tournament play we are hoping to serve some food (pizza ?)  and the bar will be open. 

This replaces coming back for an evening gathering - so we hope everyone playing/watching will stay for an end of tournament get together.

Wednesday night saw a long reverse draw singles match with John Z fighting back against Anthony  to win on a tie break.  This event always  seems to result in some of  our  tournaments' longest matches  (usually involving George and Bob !).

In other matches Ben beat Dan 9-7 in a closely fought semi final. Dan then teamed up with Louise to beat the new pairing of Kevin and Caroline in a mixed doubles quarter final. Dan now meets Ben (and Rosie) again in the semi of this event. Can Louise pull him through once again ?

Off court, the table tennis tournament is hotting up - though the organiser says a couple of matches need to be played tonight if we are to get through all the matches. Check the draw to see  if you need to play please.

Moroccan chicken/couscous went down well and had sold out by the end of the evening.

Tonight we are keeping food simple with jacket potatoes/range of fillings.

Finals are all arranged for 3 hours on Saturday afternoon, rather than spread out over a longer time period. At the end of  tournament play we are hoping to serve some food (pizza ?)  and the bar will be open. This replaces coming back for an evening gathering - so we hope everyone playing/watching will stay for an end of tournament get together.

Tuesday evening saw men's top seeds winning through in their singles matches. In the ladies' doubles the two junior pairs won through to the final, well done to Aditi/Charlotte and Lilia/Anna G (Carisbrooke).

Closest match of the evening saw George beat Mark F 9-7 in the reverse draw men's singles.

Also nice to see representatives from Roundhill & Victoria still making an impact.

Off court, the lasagne was well received (thanks Ali). In the table tennis tournament Dan beat Oli N 21-18 - though apparently the last 3 points were won by lucky net cords ! The evening ended with an excited crowd watching football on TV  and enjoying post tennis drinks.

Moroccan chicken is on the menu tonight so hope to see you later.

Sue

Thanks to the Sheards for planting out the big pots of Spring flowers

For info - I didn't write the post for Day 3. Any complaints -  suggest they are forwarded to our Vet of the Year ! By the way, please make sure you have actually won 9 games before going to the net and shaking hands Simon !!

Those who were still at the club at 9.45pm last night witnessed  Louise trying (?)  to emulate Jennifer G in DD  with Vet of the Year as Patrick S. They didn't quite manage the lift but are practising madly I hear for a post tournament dance display !

Sue

Day 3 - Monday.


Managed to get through tonights schedule despite the rain.. Thanks to everyone who played & danced.

Please double check your match times for the next few days.

http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=938F0011-1D8A-4BBB-8A4C-D7F1C2DE70BB

Highlights of night - Alex Brown mauled by Leicestershire Vet of the Year 2013, closely followed by  Steve Colver & Jon Stone winning the toss against the highly fancied number 1 doubles pairing.


-----------------------------------TABLE TENNIS NEWS---------------------------

For all those who have entered the Table Tennis competition please click on the link below to find draw details. Matches to be played asap.

https://tournaments.sportlabs.com/tennis/#/tournament/083b340e-38c3-4be5-8987-1f57210be452

Please see Ben Minski for details

Gary

All very good today, according to our Tournament Director. Congrats to Kevin for his win over Phil H in a tie break and to youngsters Lilia and Anna G for their win over Pippa and Caroline.

Very busy in the kitchen all day. It was also great to see so many down for the Wimbledon draw and a total of 61 took part in total. A full list of winners will be e mailed out tonight to all those who took part.

Withers have been at the club today and have been busy with sales. Sue "Stella" Ireland has now got kit for every match of the league season,we gather , after purchases today. Thanks to Steve for covering in the kitchen while she tried a range of kit on. Simon L continues to find lost property a source of his kit !

Gary has been able to do the scheduling for the whole tournament now and so check matches and provisionals carefully - http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=938F0011-1D8A-4BBB-8A4C-D7F1C2DE70BB

Menu for the week is -
Monday - chilli
Tuesday - lasagne
Wednesday - Moroccan chicken (a new  dish on our tourney menu !!)

We will aim to do 18-20 portions of each,  but we can't take any pre orders I'm afraid. We will always have cakes/snacks available as back up.

Ali C is injured (playing table tennis) but we are assured it won't affect her lasagne preparation.

Play resumes tomorrow at 6pm with Dan  i/c of on court arrangements.

First Day

A good first day of the tournament ! Some close matches and at least one tense tie break. Cakes and cups of tea consumed in large quantities.

Congrats to the winners in the Grand National sweepstake too - 1st Liz F £25, 2nd Rosie O'C £10 3rd  Ian Mcdade £5. Collect your winnings from Harish ! Thanks for organising.

Tomorrow we  have a busy day of tennis, a visit from Withers (get your summer tennis kit!) and 57 wanting to take part in the Wimbledon draw, with 20 pairs of tickets up for grabs at 12 noon after a Big Breakfast.

Happy 21st Birthday to Ben.

From Chef de Tournament

......first day complete -thanks to everyone for turning up on time. Monday schedule up and just about complete - http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=938F0011-1D8A-4BBB-8A4C-D7F1C2DE70BB Sunday Big Breakfast available 10.30 till 12 noon - followed by the Wimbledon draw. Withers will also be at the club offereing tennis stuff.

From April News Update ..............our OST starts tomorrow with matches from 11am and throughout the weekend. Full schedule via a link on the club website.

Full catering service throughout - including the Return of the BIg Breakfast on Sunday from 10.30am - 12 noon. Evening meal menu will be put on display at the club/on the tournament blog.

We have a band of helpers (including Jacquie G, Hussein, Dan, Simon and myself) who will be ensuring all matches get onto court, ensuring scores recorded etc.

Just a reminder that we would like all £3 payments before your first match - to Jacquie or myself please.

Ben Minski is organising a table tennis tournament alongside the main event. £1 to enter - names to Ben please.

Check the tournament blog for all future tournament news. Let's hope for 7 days of good weather !

COURT AVAILABILITY - tournament and Easter
Saturday 5th April - most courts in use for tournament from 11am until 3pm then free
Saturday 12th - details TBC

Sunday 6th April - 2 courts free for  social mix in until 12 noon.
Courts in use for tournament 12 - 3pm
From 3pm - 5 courts free
Sunday 13th April - back to usual for mix in as tournament ends on 12th

Weekday evenings Monday - Wednesday
All courts likely to be in use for tournament. No social mix in sessions.

Please note that sometimes extra courts may be needed. If you are a parent player/junior please come down to play after 3pm or play on our mini courts - thanks.

WIMBLEDON DRAW

A reminder that the 2014 draw takes place this Sunday 6 April at 12 noon. Hope to see as many people as possible at the draw. Please let me know if you are attending so I can add your name to the list. Anyone not attending - please get your choice of dates to me by Saturday 9pm. 

If you have had an e-mail asking to check your dates, please make sure you have amended them by Saturday 3pm as the sheet at the club will be taken down then. 

Sue