Grafton Tennis and Squash Club

Grafton Christmas Cracker

Tina Whitehouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:49:23 +0000

50 revellers enjoyed one of the best-ever parties on Saturday: the clubhouse had been transformed into a cosy, candle-lit high-class restaurant with logfire blazing; dinner was prefaced by the unveiling of the Grafton coat-of-arms masterminded by club archivist Mike Surridge and Tony Braimbridge, which is in place above the bar.
After a first-class homemade dinner had been demolished, a few Alternative Awards were presented (Best Injury and Security Guard of the Year etc) , Tony Braimbridge and Olivia Tsang picked up the Most Improved tennis/squash Players trophy and dancing kicked-in after the Raffle (proceeds to water fountain, water butt etc); The last-standing were reluctantly ejected at 0300 and a huge vote of thanks goes to Tamsin Livingstone and the Social Committee for making it happen.

GRAFTON OXBRIDGE OUTING

Tina Whitehouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:39:32 +0000

Early December brought out out the usual suspects for the Varsity match, which has become an annual Grafton outing -more for the drinking possibilities rather than the witnessing of high quality rugby. Despite limited attendance at the Uk’s older universities the party was partisan and very vocal in support of their team. This year Oxford stamped their authority in a powerful second half display. The assembled party then retreated to the usual venue of the Turks Head, and then on to Clapham for a ‘ruby murray’. Nothing to do with Sutton. Later reports suggested that the stouter members of the party continued drinking elsewhere -sore heads next day were ascribed to the US style whisky.

HALLOWEEN HI-JINKS

Tina Whitehouse — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:17:35 +0000

The pictures tell the story: everyone looked suitably ghastly and fell foul of the magic potion and were suitably bewitched, bothered and very bewildered before Lucas summoned broomsticks before the witching hour plus three….

Joint best-dressed winners were Giorgina, Morvern,Tamsin and Simon…thanks as always to social committee for organising.

123 FOX TROPHY

Murray Sutton — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:57:26 +0000

The club’s 123rd anniversary was celebrated in fine style on September 10: a full house of 48 tennis players (plus supporters ) battled out roundrobin and knockout stages for the prize of the brand new Fox Trophy, presented by our four-legged friends (really? -ed) . Steve Lynch, fighting through the tendonitis pain barrier,,and John Williams ou-foxed Julian Sanders and Anna Scott to hoist the cup after an epic 7/6 (11-9) final involving 6 matchpoints in front of a very vocal Crabbie-fuelled crowd. Renael and Peter Cooper won the Plate and Matt Barker and Olivia the Saucer. Radek’s BBQ hit the spot, the weather just about co-operated and the bar jumped til gone midnight. Many thanks to Rachel,Ant and Kirsty for organising .

CLUB CHAMPS FINALS

Murray Sutton — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:33:59 +0000

Three high-quality finals were fought on Sunday in front of a good crowd basking and BBQing in glorious sunshine in the garden and patio areas, all demonstrations of how the standard has risen in the last 12 months. Plus we benefited from the skills of a professional umpire in Linda Wilson, Louise’s mother.

Giorgina and Kirsty just edged Morvern and Melanie 6-4 0-6 7-5: a strange set sandwiched between two tight ones; sharp volleying and Giorgina’s serve turned the first, Morvern and Mel romped through the second and there was very little in the the third.

Vincent Quinery retained his crown despite a strong challenge from Mike Adcock, who had two set points at 6-5 in the first but lost the tiebreak; Vincent then turned the screws to win 7-6 6-0.

Much to the dismay of the seniors, Crystal, our top junior, took the Ladies Singles by storm, putting out Giorgina and Melanie en route to the final where Morvern was her victim by 6-1 6-1; she produced an impressive display of power serving and consistent stroke play and despite several long rallies, Crystal emerged a worthy new champion- the first of many Grafton triumphs no doubt as she is only 15!

The date for the Mixed and Mens Doubles finals will be broadcast soonest.

GRAFTON CUP AQUA TENNIS

Murray Sutton — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:51:08 +0000

The weather people could have been wearing white robes and weilding scythes so apocalyptic was the forecast for Grafton Cup day…and it did rain and the wind bent the trees, but miraculously all 48 players turned up and the tennis was played and true Grafton grit was displayed; the round-robin stage produced some memorable moments: Simon Mills nearly cutting himself in half on the dividing fence, Ant North’s suicidal dive for a volley, Rachel’s match-winning cut dropshot that spun back over the net before Louise could touch it, not to mention Sutton and Mozley’s totally ineffectual Tennis Haka….after a BBQ break (hats off to Joe Brasse and Radek in absentia here), with the canopy straining at its moorings, the KO stage ensued in ever-soggier conditions but noone cared by this time…Patrick Lisoire and Morvern Scott emerged victorious, edging John Peck and Melanie Gibbs, depite John’s revelatory volleying, 10-8 in a tense final; the Barker Boys raised the Plate and young guns Tom Nicolson and Matt McInery the Saucer. It was a fairly bedraggled, windswept, chilled, but happy bunch of tennis players that recovered themselves in the bar afterwards and after a day like this anything’s possible at The Grafton! A big thankyou to Steve Grant for masterminding the event and to Sean Chestnutt for organising the squash that also took place- indoors sensibly…

PAUL ARCHER BENEFIT NIGHT

Murray Sutton — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:50:53 +0000

Paul was duly honoured for his sterling work for the club over the years with a very enjoyable night in the bar; he was presented with shirts for his beloved Tamworth FC (home and away strips of course), a case of Summer Lightning ale and the proceeds of a whipround; thanks again to Paul for all his efforts maintaining Grafton.

MILLENNIUM CUP UPDATE

Murray Sutton — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:41:40 +0000

We lost our third roundrobin match to runaway leaders Telford last Saturday 3/6 but they are 3 valuable points as we still have a good chance of making the final on September 17 with one match to go v Woodfield Grove on June 11 (away); Steve Grant, Louise Wilson/Gareth Jardine and Angela Zamara secured our wins and it was an enjoyable sundrenched days’ tennis so thanks to all who competed and supported. The table is now:

Telford 26 from 4

Grafton 15 from 3

Wigmore 14 from 3

Norbury 10 from 3

Woodfield 7 from 3

so it’s going to be a tight run-in….

MILLENNIUM CUP 1ST MATCH WIN

Tina Whitehouse — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:17:30 +0000

We took a good first stride towards making it three in a row in this local tournament with an impressive 8/1 win over friendly foes Norbury Park on Saturday April 16, with several players making their Millennium Cup debut. The score is deceptive: Matt and Gemma had to focus after easy first sets to close out their matches, Sergino had a tight U16 battle, Dan and Richard narrowly lost 5/7 in the third and the mixed was an entertaining three-setter with Chris and Louise edging Maxine and Norbury captain Nigel, fuelled on Pride and shod with Murray’s shoes(!) . Monica, Angela, Rob, Rachel and Nicola had solid wins to secure valuable points in this round-robin stage. Telford beat Woodfield 8/1 in the other match. Good weather, good tennis, good vibes, good day so many thanks to all who played and supported; next up is Wigmore May 7 (H)

CHRISTMAS JOLLIFICATIONS

Tina Whitehouse — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:06:57 +0000

45 people enjoyed a festive night (and morning): candlelit dinner, open fire,quiz, etc and the raffle winners left very happy! Many thanks to the social committee for organising and all the best to all for Christmas and 2011