THE END
Well all good things must come to an end and so it is that we reach the end of another boxleague season and also the end of the boxleague until Sept/Oct. I am sure many of you will be breathing a huge sigh of relief because this means the end of all my emails, texts, badgering and borderline harassment to get matches played on time so now you can all relax……until team tennis starts in May!!
My thanks go to all of you who have played your matches without too much complaint whatever the weather over the last 4 seasons/6 months. As a club and a group we have played 500 competitive singles matches which is more than all the other clubs in wales put together. Its a huge achievement and something to be proud of and its definitely something that sets us apart from other tennis clubs in wales and probably in the UK. It would be nice if we had some recognition from Tennis Wales or the LTA….a grant maybe to help upgrade the facilities of THE tennis club in WALES which plays the MOST COMPETITIVE TENNIS but alas my phone remains silent and my inbox empty!! I know what you are all thinking….get on with it Randall and tell us what has happened this season we dont care about the politics!! Ok Ok here are the highlights…..
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Well very much a changing of the guard here as the new young guns take over at the top…first Meryl (don’t mention the Jon Hillard match!!), then Rhod and now Aeron as box league champions and Snowy and The Chairman are both sent tumbling down into the lower divisions and potential boxleague obscurity.
EUROPA
In the WEST Meryl wins the box and is promoted but may not get to play as she plans a gap year which is a big loss to the boxleague. Rhian has been hanging on to her position for a while now but she has been finally relegated. Over in the EAST a stunning late strut from Coley saw him beat Gaspar and Omega to clinch promotion to the Champions league, relegating Nick Miles in the process. Don’t get too comfortable in the Champions League my friend!!
BUNDESLIGA
In the WEST there are calls for Ken “Ben Johnson” East to be drug tested as he has gone from boxleague loser to winner in the space of a month beating Buddug, Chris and Meurig. I should point out here that Chris was the only one not to get a set off Ken….. not because its relevant but because I enjoyed typing it!! In the EAST Broady makes a winning return to the boxleague and Cathy is relegated.
LA LIGA
Brian makes a winning return to the boxleague beating mixed doubles specialist Cluey, leaving Paul poker faced and John Cowell …tired. The EAST has been a disaster with both Martin and Gareth not playing a match and both will have to be relegated. I am sorry for Rod and Jolyon – stick with it guys this doesnt usually happen.
PREMIER
In the WEST Elin was too strong and won all three of her matches to grab promotion with Ivan second. Graham and Jon FL are playing their match later today but both are relegated. Across in the EAST Dafydd makes a spectacular box league debut with 3 straight wins to seal promotion and Paul Keenan will follow him up (taking the extra place that will be created by the afore-mentioned double relegation). Val and Rob are both relegated.
PLAY-OFFS
This is game changer division with everyone moving one direction or the other. In the WEST Som and Paul Cousins will be promoted and Matthew and Rudolph go down – sorry Paul your attempt to buy success backfired but Cardiff Stars are £100 better off. In the EAST Dermot is promoted but providing Steve and Mike play their final match one of them will join Dermot relegating Sybil. So not a good season for the Uptons who are re-grouping in their Lanzarote training camp.
CHAMPIONSHIP
In the WEST Vlad the destroyer is on the march and Dai’s win yesterday made Marion (hey come on that’s a good joke!!) relegated. Only 3 players in the EAST and Aled just pipped ever-green Arfon to the promotion post. Sam is relegated.
DIVISION 1
He He was convincing in the WEST. John Hamilton didnt complete his fixtures for no good reason so is red-carded. In the EAST Stephen Ng was injured and is relegated with Andrew Thomas grabbing promotion.
DIVISION 2
Good to see Kim has found her winning ways again as she beats all to gain promotion and leaving Patrick Scott facing the chop. In the EAST a closely contested box sees Peter just snatch promotion from James on set difference. Good to see Ben winning his first ever box league match but it wasnt enough to save him from relegation.
DIVISION 3
In the WEST Gafyn was just a bit too strong for Gillian and wins this well contested box with Shelley and Jane dropping into Div 4. In the EAST Chris has rediscovered his form and wins the box and promotion. Ritchie and Angela are still to play and the loser of this match will be relegated with Hilary.
DIVISION 4
In the WEST Alex and Andrea will be promoted providing Andrea and Rumiko play their last match before midnight. In the EAST Vicky bounces back up closely followed by Fiona.
OK that’s it. If you enjoyed this boxleague then remember my name is Randall and if you didn’t its Harmsey (only joking Steve – I know you read this!!!) If you are interested in playing team tennis then you need to get down to team match practice which starts 13th April (women) and 14th April (men)
Cheers
