Week 13: 24th July 2006
Ormskirk 1 were at home to Formby 1 and produced one of their best performances for some time. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker were unlucky to lose a tiebreak 5/6 but redoubled their efforts 6/3. P Thomson/M Webster opened with a bagel set 6/0 but had to fight harder to win a tiebreak. 1st Ladies N George/F Sunners showed their strength with a 6/2,6/3 win. 2nd Ladies J Temple/J Watling did well to edge a tiebreak which encouraged them to deliver the coup de grace 6/0. 1st Mixed D Sherriff/N George are almost unstoppable this season and were in great form 6/0,6/3. R Staziker/F Sunners were always in control 6/3,6/3. P Thomson/J Watling showed little mercy 6/1,6/1. 4th pair M Webster/J Temple were made to work harder to share the honours 4/6,6/5. At the close Ormskirk 1 had defeated Formby 1 with a crushing 14 points to 2.
Almost at the last minute Ormskirk 2 were without regular players so they went to Aughton 1 with three 3rd team substitutes who acquitted themselves well. The scorecard reflected how evenly balanced the match was with seven of the eight events being halved. 1st Mixed R Birchall/S Iliff recovered from 3/6 to pull their game together 6/2. B Sherriff/S Crowley had two tight tiebreak sets 5/6,6/5. S Roche/H Bell clung on to take the tiebreak but fell away 1/6. K Slater/S Lawton also couldn't maintain their form after 6/4 and they too went down 1/6. It was all square as the levels began. 1st Gents R Birchall/B Sherriff lost a tiebreak 5/6 but came back 6/3. S Roche/K Slater set off with great confidence 6/1 but their opponents responded 6/0. 1st Ladies were put under pressure 4/6,1/6. 2nd Ladies H Bell/S Lawton clawed their way to take a tiebreak but couldn't hold on 2/6. It was a narrow defeat for Ormskirk 2 with 7 points to Aughton's 9.
Ormskirk 3 went to Carlton 1 and the mixed events were played first. P Morana/K Smith began well 6/2 but were unlucky to be squeezed out 4/6. G Joyce/P Webster were disheartened to lose the first set 4/6 but they upped their game 6/1. D Smith/A Vernon had comfortable 6/2,6/4. M Cahill/L Ashcroft won a steady 6/4,6/3. The level events were all halved. Gents P Morana/D Smith 2/6,6/5, G Joyce/M Cahill 6/3,3/6. Ladies P Webster/K Smith 4/6,6/3 and L Ashcroft/A Vernon 2/6,6/3. Ormskirk 3 came home with 10 points to 6 for Carlton 1, which ensured that they stay in Division 3.
Ormskirk 4 entertained Carlton 2 with the mixed events beginning proceedings. D Moss/S Davison started slowly 2/6 but then roared away 6/0. G George/J Crompton were edged out 4/6 but came back 6/3. G Helm/K Ratoff were in superb form 6/0 and though they relaxed a bit they still held on 6/5. There was an easy win for C Wilson/S Hughes 6/1,6/2. 1st Gents D Moss/G George began strongly 6/1 but their opponents fought back and the home pair were edged out 4/6. G Helm/C Wilson were always a shot or two ahead 6/3,6/3. 1st Ladies S Davison/J Crompton posted the same score. K Ratoff/S Hughes were slightly less generous 6/2,6/2. This was a very assured performance with 13 points for Ormskirk 4, 3 for Carlton 2.
Ormskirk 5 entertained Division leaders Campion and soon realised why Campion are streets ahead in Division 5. Ormskirk were outclassed in every match bar one, where M Winstanley partnered promising youngster Chris Wells to save Ormskirk's blushes with a terrific 6/2,6/1 result. Ormskirk 5 scored 2 points. Campion took 14 points and are more than assured of promotion to Div 4.
Ormskirk 6 went to Southbank 2 and found that despite their hosts lowly position in Division 7, they had a fight on their hands, and that the entire match would be decided by the last event on court. Southbank took the first and second Mixed events. 3rd couple P Murphy/L Draper dug deep to win 6/3,6/5. K O'Sullivan/S Duffy were encouraged by the tiebreak 6/5 to continue well 6/2. So it was all square as the levels began. A loss for 1st Gents was offset by a win for 2nd Gents P Murphy/K O'Sullivan with a steady 6/3,6/3. 2nd Ladies L Draper/S Duffy ensured at least a draw as they triumphed 6/5,6/2. 1st Ladies B Lett/J Gregson felt their hearts sink as they lost the first set 2/6. There was a nerve-wracking 2nd set tiebreak but they stuck to their task and in winning it, gave Ormskirk 6 the point they needed for a 9-7 result, which ensured they gain promotion to Division 6.
Week 12: 17th July 2006
Ormskirk 1 were missing several key players for their trip to Sphynx 1 and found points hard to come by. 1st Mixed P Thomson/J Watling fought back from a losing 2/6 to hang in and take the tiebreak. 2nd Gents J McNeil/P Morana began confidently 6/3 but couldn't hang on in the 2nd set tiebreak. 1st Ladies J Watling/F Sunners set off well 6/3 but were pegged back by the same score. The end result was a loss for Ormskirk 1 by 3 points to 13 for Sphynx 1.
Ormskirk 2 result not to hand.
Ormskirk 3 were at home to Formby HT 2 and began with the Mixed events. 1st couple D Birchall/S Davison fought all the way for a 6/4,6/3. G Joyce/P Webster were well ahead 6/3 but had to dig deep to edge the tiebreak.D Smith/H Bell broke serve to take the first set 6/4 and this gave them the confidence to roll over their opponents 6/0. D Moss/S Lawton could do little wrong 6/1 but their opposition recovered to take the tiebreak. 1st Gents D Birchall/G Joyce began superbly 6/1 but couldn't maintain their form 5/6. D Smith/D Moss combined strongly to take 2nd Gents 6/4,6/3. 1st Ladies lost but 2nd Ladies S Lawton/P Webster compensated with a determined 6/5,6/2, giving Ormskirk 3 a victory by 12 points to 4 over FHT2.
Ormskirk 4 were rarely in the hunt against a strong North Meols 3. The only success in the first half was at 2nd Ladies where J Crompton/K Ratoff were merciless 6/0 but had the tables turned 3/6. Stars of the night were 1st Mixed G George/K Smith who took both points with a strong 6/2,6/4. 3rd Mixed D Quirk/J Crompton ensured that Crompton was again in the points as they came back from 3/6 with a terrific 6/1, but at the end Ormskirk 4 had only managed 4 points to 12 for North Meols 3.
Ormskirk 5's chances of promotion were put on hold by Mawdesley 2. 1st Mixed G Birchall/L Ashcroft lost a close 4/6 but came back well 6/2. 2nd and 3rd pairs lost. 4th Mixed M Winstanley/L Mountain had an unlucky start to be nudged out of the tiebreak. They got their revenge with a 6/0 riposte. 1st Gents G Birchall/I Duffy started slowly 2/6 but did well to edge a tiebreak. A tiebreak was lost by P McConnell/M Winstanley but they too halved with a dogged 6/4. Best couple on the night were 1st Ladies L Ashcroft/R Jones who grabbed the full two points with some canny play 6/4,6/3. At the end of the night Ormskirk 5 had lost to Mawdesley by 6 points to 10.
Ormskirk 6 continued the club's disappointing run of results when they were at home to Maghull 1. With Mixed events first on court, their only success was gained by K O'Sullivan/S Duffy who would not give in 6/4,6/5. K O'Sullivan was the player of the night as he partnered S Charters to take 2nd Gents with a resounding 6/3,6/1. Ormskirk lost the encounter with Maghull 1 by 4 points to 12.
Week 11: 10th July 2006
Ormskirk 1 entertained Formby Holy Trinity 1 with a team short of regular ladies. However, the substitutes acquitted themselves well. Levels were on court first with 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker steamrollering their opponents for the loss of just one game. P Thomson/J McNeil were a little more generous, allowing the loss of two games. Both Ladies l pairs lost though mention must be made of 2nd Ladies S Crowley/J Birchall who were so unlucky to be edged out of two tie break sets. With all to play for the mixed events began. 1st couple D Sheriff/J Watling were a class above, 6/1,6/2. R Staziker/F Sunners began strongly 6/3 but fell away by the same score.P Thomson/S Crowley combined well with a confident 6/2 but they too couldn't hold on 2/6. Yet another reverse score came for J McNeil/J Birchall losing 3/6 but recovering 6/3, which was just enough to post a win of 9 points to 7 over FHT 1.
In a wind affected match, Ormskirk 2 struggled against Southbank 1 with the only success in the mixed events for R Birchall/S Iliff who took the first set 6/3, but lost a tight tie break. 2nd Gents D Sherwood/K Slater were in tremendous form as they kept their nerve and played their shots to triumph 6/4,6/4. 1st Ladies S Iliff/V Cocks went ahead with a determined 6/4 at which point an opponent retired hurt, so the final result was Ormskirk 2, 5 points, Southbank 1, 11 points.
Ormskirk 3 always have close encounters with Ainsdale 1, with a draw earlier in the season. 1st Gents D Birchall/B Humphreys were unlucky to lose 4/6 but willed themselves on to take the tie break. 2nd Gents and 1st Ladies lost. 2nd Ladies K Smith/K Ratoff outplayed their opponents 6/2,6/2. Ormskirk were behind as the mixed events began. 1st Mixed lost.2nd Mixed B Humphreys/K Smith started strongly 6/2 but were overhauled in the tiebreak. 3rd Mixed G Joyce/P Webster held on for a 6/5 then upped their play to go on 6/1. P Morana/K Ratoff were in sparkling form 6/1,6/2 which, when the points were added up, resulted in yet another equitable draw.
Ormskirk 4 went to Formby 3 and were asked to play the levels first. 1st Gents M Cahill/D Smith were a good combination 6/3,6/4. 2nd Gents and 1st Ladies went down but 2nd Ladies L Ashcroft/R Jones rescued the first half with a steady 6/4,/6/2. The first two mixed pairs lost. D Moss/L Ashcroft started brightly 6/2 but were dragged back 2/6. The same thing happened for G Birchall/R Jones 6/4,4/6, which meant that Ormskirk 4 had lost by the narrow margin of 7 points to 9 for Formby 3.
Ormskirk 5 cannot catch Campion but they continued to push for second spot as they entertained Blundellsands 2. 1st Mixed C Wilson/A Rhodes, returning from injury, were too strong 6/2,6/1. I Duffy/K Sumner began strongly 6/3 but fell away 2/6.P McConnell/Katie Sumner put together some delightful shots as they eased through 6/3,6/2. D Iliff/S Hughes hung on 6/4 then romped home 6/1. 1st Gents lost. An injury to a Blundellsands 2nd Gent ended the match prematurely. 1st Ladies A Rhodes/K Sumner struggled for supremacy 6/4 but then shifted gear 6/0. Stars of the night were Katie Sumner/S Hughes who delivered the double bagel to their hapless opponents. Ormskirk 5 won by 13 points to 3.
Ormskirk 6 are still in joint first place with David Lloyd and kept their hopes of promotion alive after their match with Formby 6. 1st Mixed S Charters/J Campbell just nipped the tiebreak but couldn't hold on 3/6. M Winstanley/J Gregson were in great form 6/2 but they too fell back 4/6. There were no such problems for K O'Sullivan/S Duffy with a confident 6/1,6/3. 1st Gents S Charters/M Winstanley were made to work all the way 4/6,6/5. K O'Sullivan partnered promising youngster J McLoughlin to a well-deserved 6/2,6/4. 1st Ladies J Campbell/J Gregson didn't waste much time as they outplayed their opposite numbers 6/1,6/0. 2nd Ladies S Duffy/L Mountain were pushed a bit harder but came up trumps 6/5,6/2. This was a good win for Ormskirk 6 with 11 points to 5 for Formby 6.
Week 10: 3rd July 2006
Ormskirk 1 were asked to play mixed events first by Moor Park 1 and were straight away in control. D Sherriff/J Watling took care of their opponents 6/3,6/2. R Staziker/F Sunners began strongly 6/2 but inexplicably were overtaken 3/6. There was no such problem for P Thomson as he partnered A Rhodes, making a welcome appearance, to a 6/1,6/3 victory. M Webster/J Temple also were barely troubled 6/3,6/1 which gave Ormskirk a 7 points to 1 lead at the halfway stage. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker just had the edge 6/4 and then a stronger 6/2. 2nd pair P Thomson/M Webster were dominant 6/2,6/3. Both ladies couples lost but Ormskirk 1 were never in danger with 11 points to 5 for Moor Park 1.
Ormskirk 2 were at home to Blundellsands 1 and put the mixed events on first, but first and second pairs had no joy. 3rd couple D Sherwood/S Crowley stuck to their task to edge a 6/5 tiebreak but were unlucky not to hold on 4/6. Stars of the night were K Slater/V Cocks with a dominating 6/1,6/3. 1st Gents R Birchall/B Sherriff came back from a disappointing 2/6 to even things up 6/3. 2nd Gents lost a tight game. 1st Ladies J Birchall/S Iliff were nip and tuck 3/6,6/3. S Crowley/V Cocks had a strange match, just dropping the tie break first set but then engaging another gear 6/0. Ormskirk 2 lost by 6 points to 10 for Blundellsands 1.
Ormskirk 3 went to Sphynx 2 for this week's fixture. 1st Mixed lost. 2nd Mixed B Humphreys/H Bell held their nerve to take the tie break, which dispirited their opposition and the Ormskirk pair cruised home 6/1. M Cahill/S Lawton combined strongly to win 6/2,6/4. D Moss/K Smith had to work hard but their tenacity paid off 6/4,6/3. 1st Gents G Joyce/B Humphreys had a splendid battle of power shots from all four players. The first set went to Sphynx 6/3, but Ormskirk hung in for a 6/4 reply. 2nd Gents M Cahill/D Moss were on court for the longest time as the light began to fade but their resistance was rewarded by edging the two tiebreak sets. 1st ladies lost, but this was offset by S Lawton/K Smith with an untroubled 6/1,6/3. The final score was Sphynx 2, 5 points, Ormskirk 3, 11 points.
Ormskirk 4 were at home to Division leaders Birkdale 3. 1st Mixed D Birchall/J Pierce were unlucky to lose the first set 4/6 then showed no mercy 6/0. D Smith/A Vernon had a really close struggle with their opponents with 1 tie break set each. 3rd Mixed went down. 4th mixed G Helm/K Ratoff did well 6/4 but were then overwhelmed 0/6. 1st Gents D Birchall/D Smith had a perplexing match losing 1/6 but coming back 6/0. 2nd Gents G George/G Helm also halved 2/6,6/4.1st Ladies were just pipped. 2nd Ladies J Crompton/K Ratoff recovered from a lost 3/6 to come back strongly 6/2. At close of play Ormskirk 4 had lost by 6 points to 10 for Birkdale 3.
Hightown 1 invited Ormskirk 5 to play the mixed events first and found points hard to come by. 1st pair C Wilson/K Sumner were disappointed to be edged out 4/6 but got over it with a 6/2 second set. 2nd and 4th pair lost.3rd mixed I Duffy/V Jones also narrowly lost 4/6 but came back 6/3. Both Gents events went to strong Hightown pairings. Stars of the night were 1st Ladies K Sumner/L Ashcroft who triumphed 6/0,6/2. V Jones/C Winrow had to fight really hard to be honours even 6/5,4/6. So the end result was a loss for Ormskirk 5 by 5 points to 11 for Hightown 1.
Ormskirk 6 are brimming with confidence this season which showed in their encounter with North Meols 4. 2nd Mixed pair G Birchall/J Campbell always had their noses in front 6/4,6/3. P Murphy/S Hughes started strongly 6/3 but were overtaken by the same score. 4th Mixed D Iliff/J Gregson put Ormskirk ahead at the halfway stage with a confident 6/4,6/0. 1st Ladies R Jones/J Campbell had an easy 6/2 then had to work a bit harder 6/4. S Hughes/J Gregson stuck to their task of staying a couple of shots ahead in each set 6/4,6/4. At the end of proceedings Ormskirk 6 had secured their 7th win of the season by 12 points to 4 for North Meols 4.
Week 9: 26th June 2006
Ormskirk 1 entertained Division 1 leaders Argyle and played the Ladies and Gents events first. Despite some close games there was no joy for the Gents. 1st Ladies N George/J Watling were superb, allowing their opponents just one game in a 6/1,6/0 drubbing. 2nd Ladies came close 4/6 but fell away 0/6. The Mixed events were also disappointing for the home team with the exception of 3rd Mixed where the talented youngster M Adjibade partnered F Sunners to a confident 6/2,6/1 victory. The final score was Ormskirk 1, 4 points, Argyle 1, 12 points.
Ormskirk 2 went to Argyle 2, also Division leaders. Only the Ladies managed to get amongst the points, with J Birchall/S Iliff beginning strongly 6/2 but their opponents got their game together and took the second set easily. 2nd Ladies S Crowley/V Cocks were unlucky to be edged out of the first set tie-break 5/6 but got their revenge with a dominant 6/1. Such was the strength of Argyle 2 that no further points were gained, making the score 2 points for Ormskirk 2, and 14 for Argyle 2.
Ormskirk teams seemed fated to play Division leaders this week as Ormskirk 3 were at home to Formby 2, but they had a closer encounter. Levels were played first. 1st Gents lost. 2nd Gents K Slater/G Joyce began with all guns blazing 6/1 but were pipped in the tie break. 1st Ladies S Davison/H Bell had a tight match with honours even 6//3,3/6. S Lawton/P Webster also began well 6/4 but fell away 3/6. 1st Mixed lost. 2nd Mixed P Morana/H Bell were on fire as they found all their old power-play to win 6/2,6/2. K Slater/S Lawton dominated the first set 6/1 but couldn't hold on 3/6. G Joyce /P Webster were unlucky to lose the tie break 5/6 but were not down-hearted as they came back 6/3. When the points were totalled Ormskirk 3 had lost to Formby 2 by the narrow margin of 7 points to 9.
Ormskirk 4 went to Aughton 2. 1st Mixed B Humphreys/J Pierce were in great form with a speedy 6/2,6/0. D Smith/K Smith were made to work harder but they came through well 6/5,6/3. G George/J Crompton were nip and tuck in a good scrap 6/5,5/6. D Moss/A Vernon were much too good in a one-sided 6/0,6/1. 1st Gents B Humphreys/D Smith were honours even 6/4,4/6, as were 2nd pair G George/D Moss 6/3,2/6. 1st Ladies J Pierce/K Smith were almost merciless allowing their opponents just a single game. A loss at 2nd Ladies didn't spoil the party as Ormskirk 4 went home with 11 points to Aughton 2's 5 points.
Ormskirk 5 entertained Formby 4 and put the mixed events on first. C Wilson/K Sumner led the way with a comfortable 6/4,6/2. D Chorley/V Jones showed great determination as they came through two tight tie-breaks 6/5,6/5. I Duffy/C Winrow, having nipped the first set 6/4 grew in confidence 6/2. P McConnell/R Jones were steadiness personified with a solid 6/2,6/2. 1st and 2nd Gents lost. 1st Ladies K Sumner/V Jones began well 6/4 but lost concentration 1/6. C Winrow/R Jones rounded off a successful evening with an untroubled 6/2,6/3. Ormskirk 5, 11 points, Formby 4, 5 points.
Ormskirk 6 suffered a set-back in their promotion hopes when they met David Lloyd Leisure. There was very little consolation to be had. 3rd Mixed P Murphy/J Gregson won the first set 6/3 but their opponents hit back by the same score. Stars of the night were 2nd Ladies J Gregson/L Draper who took both sets for Ormskirk 6/5,6/1 but overall it was a disappointing result with only 3 points to 13 for David Lloyd Leisure.
Week 8: 19th June 2006
No reports available
Week 7: 12th June 2006
Ormskirk 1 knew they might have problems before their match with North Meols 1 with two of the four regular men and one lady unavailable. However their replacements did well. 1st Gents D Sherriff/P Thompson were made to fight for every point as they toughed out a tie-break. They could not repeat the performance losing 3/6. 2nd Gents could not make any impression, and nor could 1st Ladies. 2nd Ladies F Sunners/J Birchall scrapped hard for a draw 6/2,3/6. 1st & 3rd Mixed lost close matches. 2nd Mixed D Sherriff/J Temple were the stars with a hard-fought 6/3,6/4. R & J Birchall grasped a 6/4 then went down by the same score. Ormskirk 1 lost to N. Meols 1 by 5 points to 11.
Ormskirk 2 went to North Meols 2 without some regular players who had been called up to the 1st team. However again the subs did sterling work as G Joyce/H Bell playing as 4th couple were in good form gaining Ormskirk's only mixed points with a very creditable 6/4,6/5. 1st Gents unluckily went down 4/6,4/6. 2nd Gents D Sherwood/G Joyce were honours even 4/6,6/4. 1st Ladies S Iliff/S Crowley had the edge 6/4 but fell away 6/1. S Davison/H Bell could do little wrong 6/2 but were just squeezed out in the tie break. Ormskirk 2 lost to N. Meols 2 by 5 points to 11.
Week 6: 5th June 2006
Ormskirk 1 travelled to Formby 1 and were asked to play the levels first.. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker were unusually tentative 2/6 but got their act together to come back 6/4. 2nd Gents M Webster/P Thompson were in terrific form to begin with, outplaying their opposition 6/0 when P Thompson began to feel the effects of a stomach bug and they were just pipped 5/6 in a tie break. 1st Ladies lost but 2nd Ladies J Watling/F Sunners redressed the balance with a superb 6/1,6/0. 1st Mixed D Sherriff/N George were overpowered 1/6, but would not lie down and doggedly clawed back 6/5. R Staziker/J Temple were the stronger pair with an excellent 6/4,6/3. M Webster/F Sunners lost the first set 2/6 but showed great determination to take the second set 6/4. 4th Mixed was sadly conceded as P Thompson's illness precluded him from continuing. However Ormskirk had done enough to ensure a draw with Formby 1, 8 points each.
Ormskirk 2 entertained Aughton 1. 1st and 3rd Mixed lost. 2nd pair B Sherriff/S Iliff got stuck in 6/3,6/4. D Sherwood/S Davison were made to fight all the way and did well to win a close match 6/5,6/4. It was all square as the levels began.1st Gents lost but 2nd Gents S Roche/D Sherwood evened things out 6/5,6/2. 1st Ladies J Birchall/S Iliff began strongly 6/4 but fell away 2/6. S Crowley/S Davison were in great form 6/1 but then were made to work a lot harder to grab the second set tie break 6/5. It was close run thing but Ormskirk 2 had done just enough to edge a win over Aughton 1 by 9 points to 7.
Ormskirk 3 had a most enjoyable fixture against Carlton 1. 1st Gents rather lost heart after losing the tie break and did not recover. 2nd Gents K Slater/D Birchall had no such trouble with an emphatic 6/1,6/0. 1st Ladies H Bell/P Webster struggled to find any consistency 4/6 but scrapped hard for a second set tie break 6/5. 2nd Ladies S Lawton/K Smith lost 3/6 but were able to put their shots together 6/1. With all to play for the Mixed events went on. 1st pair lost. 2nd couple K Slater/S Lawton, having squeezed a tie break played better to take the second set 6/2. G Joyce/P Webster were too strong 6/2,6/3 and D Birchall/K Smith rounded things off with a confident 6/3,6/2. At the end of the evening Ormskirk 3 had won by 10 points to 6 for Carlton 1.
Meanwhile Ormskirk 4 went to Carlton 2 where the Mixed events began proceedings. 1st pair P Morana/J Pierce were made to fight hard 6/5,6/4. D Smith/J Crompton made a nervy start 1/6 but turned the tables 6/1. M Cahill/A Vernon were untroubled 6/3,6/3. 4th couple lost. 1st Gents P Morana/M Cahill had a really good ding-dong match 6/4,5/6. D Smith/C Wilson were much too strong for their opponents 6/2,6/1. 1st Ladies lost a close 4/6,4/6 but stars of the night 2nd Ladies A Vernon/L Ashcroft delivered the dreaded double bagel 6/0/6/0. The final score was 10 points for Ormskirk 4, and 6 points to Carlton 2.
Although Ormskirk 5 were lying in second place in Div. 5 they knew it would be tough as they went to play the leaders Campion 1, who had yet to lose a match. So it proved as the mixed events began. 1st and 2nd couple lost. 3rd Mixed G George/R Jones did well to pull back from a lost 1/6 to edge the second set 6/4. I Duffy/C Winrow were unlucky to be edged out 4/6 but recovered well 6/3. Campion's Gents were too strong. 1st Ladies K Sumner/V Jones began well 6/3 but were just nudged out 5/6. R Jones/C Winrow were the only pair to gain 2 points as they outplayed their opponents 6/2,6/1. Ormskirk 5 had been well beaten with 5 points to Campion's 11.
Ormskirk 6 were the Division leaders as they entertained Southbank 2 and it seems to give them terrific confidence. 1st Mixed D Chorley/S Hughes set the tone with a strong 6/4,6/2. G Birchall/J Gregson kept their noses in front 6/2,6/5. P McConnell/L Draper were not disheartened by a lost tie-break as they came back strongly 6/2. D Iliff/S Duffy began with a dominant 6/1 but had to grind out a tie-break 6/5. 1st Gents D Chorley/G Birchall began slowly 2/6 but regrouped to take the next set 6/3. P McConnell/D Iliff had no such trouble 6/0,6/3. S Hughes/J Gregson shared the honours 3/6, 6/4 as did L Draper/S Duffy 4/6,6/3. Ormskirk 6 are on target still as they defeated Southbank 2 by 12 points to 4.
Week 5: 29th May 2006
So much for warnings of a disastrous drought. Monday was again a washout for Ormskirk 1 & 2. Fortunately the second team was able to fulfil the replay night at Mawdesley 1 with enforced changes to the regular team. 1st Gents B Sherriff/G Joyce began very well, taking the first set 6/3 but just fell away 4/6. B Humphreys/D Smith were outstanding with a strong 6/1,6/2 win. 1st Ladies J Birchall/S Iliff, having lost the first set, responded by hanging in and edging a tie break. A loss at 2nd Ladies made it all square at the half-way stage, with the mixed events to come. 1st& 2nd pairs lost. B Humphreys/S Davison shared the points 3/6,6/2 as did D Smith/J Pierce 5/6,6/3, but at the end of the night Ormskirk 2 had lost by 6 points to 10 for Mawdesley 1.
Ormskirk 3 travelled to Formby HT 2, where play was possible despite occasional rain. Levels were played first and 1st Gents B Humphreys/G Joyce took time to get into their stride 6/4 but then pulled away 6/1. 2nd Gents K Slater/P Morana were totally in control 6/2,6/0. 1st Ladies H Bell/P Webster had no answer to the powerful play of their opponents, losing 0/5 - 0/30 when they staged the greatest come-back since Lazarus. They began to put their shots together to creep up finally taking the tie-break 6/5, though losing the second set 3/6. S Lawton/K Smith halved a topsy-turvey match 1/6,6/2. 1st Mixed went down. 2nd Mixed K Slater/S Lawton gained confidence after winning the tie-break 6/5 to pull away strongly 6/1. G Joyce/P Webster were honours even as they shared two close tie-breaks 5/6,6/5. P Morana/K Smith had little trouble, closing out their match 6/3,6/3. Ormskirk 3 beat FHT2 by 11 points to 5.
Ormskirk 4 were predictably rained off.
Ormskirk 5 had a dour struggle with Mawdesley 2. 1st Mixed pair lost but this was offset by a good win at 2nd Mixed for D Smith/V Jones 6/2,6/4. G Helm/R Jones seemed in control 6/2 but inexplicably went down 0/6. I Duffy/C Winrow were not down-hearted at 3/6 as they turned the tables by the same score. 1st Gents M Trengove/D Smith were the stronger pair 6/4,6/2 as 2nd Gents lost. K Sumner/V Jones led 1st Ladies 6/2 but their opponents came back top edge the tie break. R Jones/C Winrow had the identical score at 2nd Ladies and this meant a draw on the night 8 points apiece.
True to pattern, Ormskirk 6 were rained off at Maghull 1 on Monday but did manage to replay later in the week. The home team took the 1st Mixed event but Ormskirk's second pairing P McConnell/J Campbell had to hold their nerve in two knife-edge tie-breaks which they won. P Murphy/J Gregson breezed away 6/3 but were made to work to win a tie-break. R Owens/S Duffy also went to the wire with two tie-break sets which they won. 1st Gents narrowly lost but 2nd Gents P Murphy/R Owens stormed off 6/1,6/1. 1st Ladies S Hughes/J Campbell lost a close 1st set but came back well 6/3. 2nd Ladies J Gregson/S Duffy had few problems as they won both sets 6/3,6/3. Ormskirk 6 were deserved victors with 11 points to 5 for Maghull.
Week 4: 22nd May 2006
Pleasant tennis weather was missing again as Ormskirk 1 went to Formby HT 1. 1st Mixed D Sherriff/N George were in command 6/2,6/3. R Staziker/J Temple recovered from a lost 3/6 to come back well 6/2. P Thompson/ J Watling were just edged out of a tiebreak first set but got into gear 6/3. M Webster/F Sunners dictated play with a confident 6/3,6/3. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker were too strong for their opponents 6/3,6/1. 2nd Gents P Thompson/M Webster opened their account with an easy 6/1 but fell away 3/6. 1st Ladies went down but J Watling/F Sunners were honours even 6/2,3/6, and at the end of the contest Ormskirk 1 had won by 10 points to 6 for FHT1.
Ormskirk 2 were jinxed yet again as their match was rained off for the second successive week. Hopes of the previous week's replay hang in the balance.
Ormskirk 3 were unsure if their fixture with Ainsdale 1 would be possible, but though it was gloomy, play went ahead with the Mixed events. Success came at 2nd Mixed for K Slater/S Lawton 6/2,6/3. G Joyce/P Webster just lost the first set 4/6 but then raced away 6/1. P Morana/K Smith fought all the way to take the first set 6/4 but were just nipped 5/6. It was all square as the levels went on. K Slater/P Morana had a long match which they took 6/5,6/0. 1st Gents and 1st Ladies lost but a dominating performance 6/1,6/2 from S Lawton/K Smith ensured a drawn match, 8 points each.
Ormskirk 4 entertained Formby 3 with the Mixed events on court first. D Birchall/J Pierce combined strongly 6/3,6/1. 2nd and 3rd pairs lost but G Helm/K Ratoff ensured parity at the half-way stage, with an assured effort 6/3,6/3. Ormskirk fell away in the level events as the only points were gained by 1st Gents D Birchall/M Cahill with a strong 6/3,6/2. Formby went home with a 10 points to 6 victory over Ormskirk 4.
Ormskirk 5 were in confident mood as they went to Blundellsands 2. This was not misplaced with a clean sweep for Ormskirk. Mixed pairs began the rout with D Smith/A Vernon winning 6/3,6/4. C Wilson/K Sumner did well 6/3,6/0., as did D Chorley/R Jones 6/3,6/2. I Duffy/C Winrow allowed their opponents just one game. The levels came next with 1st Gents D Smith/A Wilson getting stronger 6/4,6/1. D Chorley/I Duffy were always on top 6/3,6/3. 1st Ladies A Vernon/K Sumner outplayed their opposite numbers 6/1,6/1. R Jones/C Winrow gained confidence from a tight 6/5 to power away 6/1. A jubilant Ormskirk 5 recorded a 16 - 0 win over Blundellsands 2.
Ormskirk 6 against Formby 6 was rained off, as was the re-arranged match.
Week 3: 15th May 2006
Ormskirk 1 entertained Moor Park 1 under threatening skies as the levels went on court first. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker struggled to take the first set 6/4 but became more confident 6/1. P Thompson/M Webster delivered the dreaded double bagel 6/0,6/0. 1st Ladies were edged out of the first set tie break but recovered well 6/3. J Watling/F Sunners kept their noses in front 6/3,6/5. 1st Mixed D Sherriff/N George were leading 6/4 then an uncompleted set gave them a further half point. 3rd Mixed P Thompson/J Watling were made to work hard for a close 6/5,6/4. Moor Park conceded the other two Mixed matches so Ormskirk were the winners by 14.5 - 1.5.
Ormskirk 2's match away at Blundellsands 1 was called off.
Ormskirk 3 were at home to a strong Sphynx 2. 1st Gents G Joyce/K Slater were unlucky to just lose the first set 4/6 but got their revenge with a dominant 6/1. 2nd Gents P Morana/B Humphreys were much too good for their opponents with a quick 6/2,6/1. 1st Ladies S Lawton/P Webster recovered their game after 0/6 to force a tie break which they won. 2nd Ladies lost as did 1st and 2nd Mixed. 3rd Mixed P Morana/K Smith started slowly 0/6 but came back 6/2. B Humphreys/A Vernon battled all the way 3/6,6/5 but it was not enough as Ormskirk 3 went down by 5 points to 11 for Sphynx 2.
Ormskirk 4 went to Birkdale 3 and played the Mixed events first. There was very little joy for them as only G Helm/A Glover took a set at 4th Mixed, 6/3. G Helm was in the points again as he and G George controlled 1st Gents with a determined 6/2,6/5. D Chorley/G Birchall took a second set tie break but overall it was a loss for Ormskirk 4 by 4 points to 12 for Birkdale 4.
Ormskirk 5 continued a poor week for the teams when they entertained Hightown 1. 1st Mixed pair M Trengove/C Winrow ground it out 6/4,6/5. I Duffy/R Jones gave their all to edge the tie-break but were overcome 2/6. D Quirk/K Sumner had a topsy-turvey encounter 2/6,6/2. 4th Mixed went down. 1st Gents M Trengove/I Duffy kept their nerve 6/4,6/3. 1st Ladies C Winrow/R Jones lost a tight 5/6 but came back strongly 6/3. When the points were totalled Ormskirk had been pipped at the post with 7 points to Hightown's 9.
Ormskirk 6 went to North Meols 4 with the Mixed events first. P McConnell/J Campbell were strong as they won 6/3,6/2. D Iliff/L Draper repeated this winning score. 4th Mixed P Murphy/L Murray overcame the disappointment of a lost tie break to come back 6/3. At the half way stage Ormskirk were just ahead 5 - 3. 1st Gents P McConnell/D Iliff went to the wire with a gritty effort to take two tie break sets. Only 1st Ladies J Campbell/S Duffy were in the points as they led 6/5, but lost their grasp 2/6. The outcome was a creditable drawn match, with 8 points each.
Week 2: 8th May 2006
Ormskirk 1 found success hard to come by as they travelled to Division 1 leaders Argyle 1. The Gents and Ladies events were played first. 1st Gents D Sherriff/R Staziker started very slowly losing 1/6 but then set about their task and edged the second set tie break 6/5. 1st Ladies J Watling/J Temple by contrast found their game straight away 6/2 but couldn't maintain their form going down a close 4/6. In the remaining levels and all four Mixed Argyle slammed the door firmly shut and Ormskirk came home having lost 2-14 to Argyle 1.
Ormskirk's 2nd team fared only a little better against Argyle 2. Mixed events were played first with just one set won by J McNeil/S Davison 6/3,3/6. Both Gents events went to the visitors. 1st Ladies H Bell/S Davison were made to dig deep 6/3 but then lost by the same score. S Lawton/P Webster took 2nd Ladies with a steady 6/4,6/2. The final score was Ormskirk 2, 4 points, Argyle 2, 12 points.
Ormskirk 3 had little joy at Formby 2. Only 2nd Ladies L Ashcroft/K Smith avoided the levels whitewash with a 6/2 second set. L Ashcroft again figured in the points as she partnered P Morana at 4th Mixed with a splendid tight win 6/3,6/5. Ormskirk 3 lost to Formby2 by 3 points to 13.
The 4th team entertained Aughton 2 and put the Mixed events on first. M Trengove/K Ratoff had a nail-biting tussle to win 6/4,6/5. By contrast 2nd Mixed B Humphreys/B Lett allowed their opponents just one game in a one-sided match 6/0,6/1. 3rd Mixed lost. 4th Mixed G George/R Jones seemed invincible 6/1 but then took their feet off the pedals to lose a tie-break 5/6. The Gents set about their task with M Trengove/B Humphreys dictating play 6/1,6/2. D Smith/G George started strongly 6/1 but then just edged the second set 6/5. K Ratoff/B Lett and A Glover/R Jones shared the honours in their matches, each pair gaining one set. The overall result was a clear win for Ormskirk 4 by 11 points to 5 for Aughton 2.
Things could not have been closer for Ormskirk 5 in their match with Formby 4. The Mixed pairs started proceedings and all matches were halved. C Wilson/V Jones set off well 6/2 but lost 1/6. D Chorley/C Winrow led 6/3 but were edged out 4/6. Strong youngsters G Birchall/K Sumner had the tightest match of all with two tie break sets 5/6,6/5. I Duffy/L Draper got their act together after a lost 0/6 to force a winning tie break 6/5. 1st Gents C Wilson/D Chorley continued the theme with a dominant 6/1 but then went down 2/6. G Birchall/I Duffy lost the first set 3/6 but roared back 6/1. 1st Ladies V Jones/C Winrow got the only full points of the contest 6/4,6/2, but this was offset by a loss at 2nd Ladies, so in the end it was all square 8 points each.
Ormskirk 6 were at home to David Lloyd and put the Mixed events on court first. P McConnell/J Campbell recovered well from 0/6 to restore the balance 6/4. P Murphy/S Hughes did the same 2/6,6/2. The late arrival of one player gave Ormskirk's third pair the match by default. R Owens/S Duffy rounded off the mixed events with an untroubled 6/3,6/1. 1st Gents P McConnell/P Murphy began tentatively 3/6 but redoubled their efforts 6/2. D Quirk/R Owens were encouraged by edging the first set tie break 6/5 to go on strongly 6/2. 1st Ladies J Campbell/S Hughes also took a tie break set but then fell away 0/6. J Gregson/S Duffy wrapped it up well taking the points 6/0,6.4. The result was an emphatic win for Ormskirk 6 with 12 points to David Lloyd's 4.
Week 1: 1st May 2006
Ormskirk 1 started the season by entertaining the invincible Birkdale 1 and put up a good performance despite the absence of a couple of regular ladies. The levels went on court first with D Sherriff/R Staziker at 1st Gents. A single break of serve gave the visitors the first set 6/3 but then the Ormskirk pair retaliated with a superbly dominant 6/1. Another point came for 2nd Ladies F Sunners/J Birchall who began strongly 6/2 but found it hard to maintain this standard and went down by the same score. Bad light gave 2nd and 4th Mixed a half point each. 3rd Mixed P Thompson/F Sunners dictated play 6/2 and an unfortunate injury gave them the second set also. Ormskirk 1 lost 5 points to 11.
Ormskirk 2 travelled to Birkdale 2 and the mixed events were played first. The first pair lost a close match. 2nd pair R Birchall/S Crowley were in great form with a quick 6/1,6/1. J McNeil/S Davison had to fight all the way just edging it 6/4,6/5. S Roche/H Bell took the first set 6/0 and led 5/1 in the second before their opponents began to come back, but too late, the Ormskirk pair closing it out 6/4. 1st Gents M Abijade/J McNeil were just edged out in the first set tie break but this made them more determined 6/3.It was almost a repeat performance for 2nd Gents R Birchall/S Roche who went down 3/6 but fought back with a tie break win 6/5. 1st Ladies S Iliff/S Davison narrowly lost the first set 4/6 and were involved in a tie break when an injury occurred and the Birkdale Ladies were forced to concede the second set. This meant that Ormskirk 2 had opened their season's account with a win by 9 points to 7.
Ormskirk 3 were at home to Hillside 1 and the levels were on court first. 1st Gents B Sherriff/G Joyce crushed their opponents 6/0,6/1. D Sherwood/D Birchall started strongly 6/2 and then edged the tiebreak 6/5. 1st Ladies P Webster/S Lawton also had a tiebreak 6/5 but stepped up their game 6/3. J Pierce/A Vernon played two tiebreak sets and honours were even giving Ormskirk a 7 - 1 lead at half time. 1st Mixed B Sherriff/P Webster started with yet another tiebreak then secured both points with a 6/2 second set. D Sherwood/S Lawton made a confident pairing 6/2,6/2. G Joyce/J Pierce lost a tight tiebreak but gained a half point as the light faded. There were no problems for D Birchall/A Vernon who won 6/3,6/2, giving an emphatic win for Ormskirk 3 by 13.5 points to 2.5 for Hillside 1.
Ormskirk 4 went to Argyle 3. 1st Gents M Cahill/P Morana won a close first set 6/4 but couldn't hold on 3/6. 1st Ladies were also ahead 6/4 but fell away 2/6. 1st Mixed M Cahill/J Crompton were narrow losers 5/6 but poor light gave them a shared second set. P Morana/L Ashcroft played well to secure 6/3,6/2. D Smith/K Ratoff were barely troubled 6/2,6/2 but with a loss at 4th Mixed not enough points were won to stop Argyle 3 winning by 9.5 to 6.5.
Ormskirk 5 fielded a very strong team as they entertained Birkdale 4. The Mixed events began proceedings. 1st pair M Trengove/K Sumner took the tiebreak 6/5 then surged away 6/1. G Helm/K Smith had the edge 6/5 then went up a gear 6/2. G George/C Winrow were always in control 6/2,6/3. I Duffy partnered promising youngster Katie Sumner who used her powerful forehand to take the first set 6/3 but their opponents came back 6/4. Ormskirk led by 7 -1 as the levels went on court, and it was the same story; 1st gents M Trengove/G Helm kept their noses in front 6/3,6/4. I Duffy/G George allowed their opponents just one game. 1st Ladies K Sumner/K Smith dominated 6/0,6/3 and 2nd Ladies C Winrow/K Sumner (jnr) were not downhearted with a lost 5/6 as they came back strongly 6/1. When the points were totalled Ormskirk 5 had beaten Birkdale 4 by 14 pts to 2.
Newly promoted Ormskirk 6 went to Mawdesley 3 for a real ding-dong encounter. D Iliff/R Jones got things off to a good start as they took 1st Mixed 6/2,6/3. P McConnell/J Gregson were just pipped 6/3,6/5. A Horrocks/L Draper shared the honours 2/6,6/4. 4th Mixed went down. 1st Gents D Iliff/P McConnell snatched the first set but couldn't hold on 4/6. A Horrocks/P Murphy redoubled their efforts after losing 5/6 to come back well 6/1. R Jones was again in great form as she partnered J Gregson at 1st Ladies with an emphatic 6/2, 6/1. S Duffy/L Draper shared their match 6/5,1/6. At the end of the proceedings the result was a draw, 8 points each, a fair reflection of the whole match.
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