Eaton Bray Lawn Tennis Club

Posted on February 9, 2009

They say that 24 hours is a long time in politics.

That may be true, especially if you're a Lib Dem because that means it's been an extraordinarily long time - several hundred thousand years in fact - since David Lloyd George held office, but for us, 2 months is certainly a long time in tennis. Since our last report concerning our Final's Day results, the final positions from last summer's South Beds league were confirmed.

Best performers were our Men's C team who play in Division 4, who finished in 2nd place out of the 7 contenders, and the Mixed A team who finished a very credible 2nd out of 8 in Division2 with 5 victories. Our Men's A team managed 3rd place out of 8 in Division 1 despite winning 6 of their 7 matches, such was the overall high standard of the division. The full final standings were:

These are extremely satisfying results for a small village club in a league which includes big names such as Dunstable, Linslade and Luton & Vauxhall. It was great fun to play such competitive tennis during 2008 against some high quality but very friendly opposition - we always enjoyed a few sarnies with a nice cup of tea and some cake afterwards, no matter who won!* Congratulations to everyone involved in the teams.

Our focus this year will be to bring our younger players up to the same standards, and the coaching team will be working hard at this over the coming months.

So what else has been going on? Well, our membership Secretary Jon Moon has revealed that he has a secret talent which to date has remained known to only very close friends and immediate family. No, not what you're thinking. He can design Web sites, you know, those things that begin 'www' with a few random letters and numbers, which you key in (has to be in the right order or all sorts of things can go wrong) to enter an exciting world of information and entertainment.

Not to be outdone, we commissioned him (one free pint in the pub when it's finished) to develop a site for us, and lo and behold, it's up and running! The things that man will do for a free pint. Take a look at www.ebltc.org.uk and you'll find everything you always wanted to know about the club. See the photo archive page - image number 7 - for a special preview of Peter Hales new patented compact wrist-attached umpire's scoresheet illumination device.

Finally, arrangements were completed for the joint Eaton Bray Village Hall Fund Raising Committee & Eaton Bray Tennis Club 'Food, Humour and Dance' event on Saturday 28th February 2009 in the Village Hall. Our aim is to titillate your palates, make you laugh with our pair of comedians and finish off by getting rid of those extra Christmas calories with dancing to live music. A completely guilt free evening!!

Tickets are just £19; so for more information contact Ross on 01525 221411.

* To avoid libellous action from the Chairman**, when I say 'we', I don't actually include myself in that. Although I did help cut the sandwiches once. 'Cut one, eat one. Cut one, eat one. Cut etc...'

** This relates to last year's Chairman. This year's will be much more understanding!

Following the January AGM a new committee has been formed - full details next month!

For any further information about the club, including when we get together for our social tennis sessions up at the School Lane courts, or our various activities, you can visit our website at www.ebltc.org.uk

Source: Focus, February 2009