"After a tough season in the South East division group of death all of us at David Lloyd Raynes Park are delighted to have qualified for the AEGON Team Tennis Finals, 15 - 17th July in Bournemouth," blogs Johnny Barr David Lloyd Raynes Park Men's team captain...
Having been in a group that consisted of, without question, the stiffest competition we have ever faced over a whole season, it was a relief to make it to the AEGON Team Tennis play offs. Sunday saw us gain a vital 4-0 play off win against an under strength, but highly competitive Winchester Team from the South West division - that takes us to the AEGON Team Tennis finals in our quest for the elusive holy grail yet again of Team Tennis !
David Rice and a sweaty Colin Beecher
With a season that has been plagued by player injury and lack of availability in without question the strongest group of teams in the UK and with most of our top players travelling around the world at various tournaments, we were glad to be able to field a strong team for our play off match - which saw our top ATP ranked players David Rice & Marcus Willis win in straight sets. Our other two players included Raynes Park Legends : Tom Burn back to his rampant best, (who stepped in at the last minute due to a finger injury to Matt Leahy, whilst opening a can of Heinz tomato soup on Friday night)*, dropping but a handful of games, and Colin Beecher who at 42 defying all odds and seemingly playing better tennis with every passing year.
Tom Burn – Raynes Park Legend
*Matt Leahy assures us there was blood, but having had more injuries this year than is humanly possible, we await photographic evidence as Matt seemed to be able to clap most home won points without wincing!
Roared on by a vocal home support including our David Lloyd Park AEGON Junior and AEGON Ladies Teams, who have also made it to the National Finals for the third consecutive year, we are delighted to be taking a strong squad to the AEGON Finals with to date all players qualified and available - inevitable selection headaches await!
Emily Webley Smith - enthusiastic Raynes park supporter or just there for the free ice cream?
It feels strange to go from not having anyone available for matches in April / May, bar a Spaniard that claimed to be in the top 60 in Spain, but we later found out wasn't even in the top 60 in his family especially on fast indoor carpet, to a full house of fit and hungry players 'chomping at the bit' to play at the finals weekend!
View the rubber results from the match
David Lloyd Raynes Park Aegon Team Tennis Finals team to be selected from David Rice / Tom Burn / Marcus Willis / Jamie Feaver / James Marsalek / Glen Kuma Mintah / Colin Beecher / Lee Childs / Tim Patient / Neil Bamford / Matt Leahy - Who would want be an AEGON Team Tennis Captain!?
Blogged by Johnny Barr the long suffering David Lloyd Raynes Park Men's AEGON Team Tennis Captain.
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