On the morning of Saturday, December 1st under a grey and overcast sky, Goodrich Ladies ‘B’ashers travelled to Ledbury to take on their ‘B’ team in Division 4 of the H&W Winter League. ‘B’ashers first pair, Jill Brown and Katie Hunt, who stepped up from the ‘C’ team, saw their first set against the Ledbury first pair go to a tie-break which they succeeded in winning 7-6, but the second set, again very tight, went the way of Ledbury 5-7. At one set all it was the Ledbury ladies who were able to get a break of serve and wrap up the third set, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Wendy Jenkins and Kirsten Mathews, ‘B’ashers second pair, were disappointed not to have done better in their first rubber against the Ledbury second pair, managing to win only two games, going down 6-2/6-0.

At the change-over Jill and Katie, now playing the Ledbury second pair, were the ones to get a break of serve and win the first set 7-5, but not to be outdone Ledbury levelled the sets, taking the second 2-6. The ‘B’ashers responded by winning the third set 6-3, and an excellent debut performance by Katie.

Finally it was the turn of Wendy and Kirsten to try and redeem themselves, now taking on the Ledbury first pair, who were playing in Division 2 in the Summer, so not an easy task ahead of them. With the first set level at 4-4, it was Ledbury who broke serve and then served the set out, 6-4. Having already doubled their tally of games, Wendy and Kirsten responded to the harder hitting shots and grew in confidence, serving better and putting away more winners, which saw them take the second set 7-5. The third set was a very tight affair, and at five games apiece it was Goodrich who broke serve to take a 6-5 lead. At two rubbers apiece, when sets were counted up it was Ledbury who got the winning draw, 6 sets to 5.

The ‘B’ashers next match is on Sunday, December 9th when they are at home to Hallow ‘A’, who are top of the division, with Goodrich in second place.

On November 28th Goodrich Tennis Club Chairman, Bonnie Palmer, and Ladies Captain, Kim Martin, attended the H&W County AGM in Malvern. The Club was awarded three ladies trophies and one mens trophy by the H&W LTA President, Ian King.