May 2010
Website
I am using the website a lot more for posting news, tournament sign-ups, fixtures etc. I will be referring to you the website to avoid having to attach documents to newsletters and other emails.
Williamsons Cup - Handicap singles (Holder: Keith Anderson)
This competition starts next Wednesday with the final stages being played on Sunday 19th. There are 8 groups of 4 players with each player having three 30 minute games. Only the group winner will go through to the final stages on Sunday.
At the moment we need another 13 players to fill up all the groups. Have a look on the website - http://www.jdrtc.co.uk/page6.htm#59595 - and choose the best time to suit you.
ALL HANDICAPS are encouraged to participate regardless of how long you have been playing. It would be good to see some students playing as well!!
Fixtures for 2010 / 11 & Match Managers
The new fixtures list is almost complete and is on the website at http://www.jdrtc.co.uk/page3.htm. We have a number of new matches against other clubs for which we need match managers.
I am hoping that these will become annual fixtures with the venue alternating each year.
Without match managers it is very difficult to run these fixtures. We can help as much as possible but it does need one person to take on the responsibility for each match. Please have a look at the list and let me know if you would like to help to organise one of the matches.
Rules
I was marking the MCC match last week when the server returned a shot, it hit the corner of the hazard first gallery shelf and rebounded back over the net. I was a little hesitant with my response to that. The ruling is that the server loses the point.
Another variation of this is a player (at either end) hits the ball hard against the back wall and it rebounds on to the floor (or penthouse) and then bounces over the net on to the side from where it has been hit. As above the person who hit the ball loses the point. With a similar shot, if the ball goes into the net it becomes chase the line.
So, in summary, the ball must end up on the other side of the net from whence it has been struck.
Summer Handicap Cup (Holder: Sam Turner)
This handicap knockout will be starting in June. All members are automatically put into the draw unless we know you are not around. If you do not want to be involved please let us know. Last years competition produced some very close matches. The eventual winner won 2 rounds by a single game.
This year we will start a little earlier and allow more time to play during the main holiday months.
The floor
Some of you may have noticed that the floor is slightly more slippery than in the past. We have decided, after thinking of a number of reasons and trying a few remedies, that the paint is too worn and the floor needs a new coat of paint. This will be happening during the summer when the court will need to be closed for a week. We will also replace light bulbs and do another few jobs at the same time.
Membership Drive
This week we have up to 18 people coming from The Entrepreneur's Forum - www.entrepreneursforum.net
The next open day is Thursday June 5th so please let us know if you know anyone who may like to try the game. If you think you could gather together a group of people you could book a Thursday evening and I will introduce them to the game and let them have a hit and a drink. Available dates can be found at http://www.jdrtc.co.uk/page19.htm
Paul
Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club
0191 2816854
club@jdrtc.co.uk
www.jdrtc.co.uk
Online booking system: www.realtennisonline.com/bookings
Real Tennis Online: www.realtennisonline.com/rto
Jesmond Dene Cup + Handicap Doubles - February 20th & 21st
The JD Cup sees the return of the accompanying handicap doubles competition. The Jesmond Dene Cup is our primary invitation level singles event but, like the rest of the national tournaments, it has been hit by a severe reduction in people willing to travel around the country. To make up for the reduction in numbers in the singles we will be restoring the handicap doubles.
There will be 4 groups of 3 teams with each pairing playing 2 matches and the winners go through to the semis on the Sunday. If you would like to play let us know asap. We will find you a partner if you don't have one in mind.
Doubles groups playing times:
1: Saturday 9 - 11
2: Saturday 11.40 - 1.40
3: Saturday 1.40 - 3.40
4: Saturday 12 - 2
Semis on Sunday at 2 & 2.40. Finals will start between 4 & 5pm
Leagues
The new leagues are out. I have added the leagues to the website at
The leagues have been disappointing lately so we will implement a few rules to try and make sure that games are played.
Players are responsible for organising their own league games. I have put a list of phone numbers on the website on a password protected page and the password is the same as the door entry. I will update this information regularly. Can you check that your details are correct on here and let us know if they aren't.
If you don't play any league games you will be removed from the leagues the following month.
If you wish to be added to or taken out of next months league let us know.
Paul
January 2010
Happy New Year to you all
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Level Doubles Championship - January 17th.
Defending champions - Alan Douglas & Brandon Gilhooley
There are 5 pairs this year and I have decided that I am allowed to play just to make up the numbers. Play will be from 12am until 5 or 6pm. If you fancy a glass of wine please feel free to come down to watch. The final is likely to be starting around 6 pm.
Pairs are:
Michael Raven & Anthony Hothfield
Paul Reading & Chris Gerber
Alan Douglas & John Duns
Simon Johnston & Paul Hetherington
Richard MacAlister & Brandon Gilhooley
Club Handicap Doubles - January 23rd & 24th
Below are the 4 groups. As you can see we need another 11 players. You don't need a partner as we will find you one. Just let us know that you would like to play, nominate your preferred group, and we will do the rest.
Saturday 10.00 - 13.00
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Name
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Name
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1.
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Caroline Gosnay
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Peter Gordon
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2.
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Colin Smith
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Jeremy Freedman
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3.
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Fiona Harrison
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Eric Wilkins
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4.
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|
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Saturday 13.00 - 16.00
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Name
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Name
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5.
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Tony Harrison
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Simon Johnston
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6.
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Harvey Bower
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Nick Morrison
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7.
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Chris Clarke
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Jeremy Hargrove
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8.
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|
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Sunday 10.00 - 13.00
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Name
|
Name
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9.
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Jamie Wilkinson
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Tim Pearson
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10.
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Gordon Reed
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Paul Raven
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11.
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Gianluca Ciaraldi (62)
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|
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12.
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Sunday 13.00 - 16.00
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Name
|
Name
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13.
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Chris Banthorpe
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Ben Stothard
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14.
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Andy Marwick
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Guy Stevenson
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15.
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|
|
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16.
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|
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Semi-finals 4-5.30. Finals at 5.30
Results from last month
All results can be found in detail on the website at http://www.jdrtc.co.uk/page6.htm
Ringtons Handicap Singles - Mark Dickinson (the losing finalist in 2006 & 2007) beat Tim Pearson (the losing finalist in 2008).
Club Championship - John Duns beat Richard MacAlister 6-5, 6-4 to win for the second year
Christmas Handicap Doubles - Ed Ruffman & Alistair Neill beat John Duns & Richard MacAlister.
Summer Handicap Cup - Sam Turner beat Eric Wilkins. The final was played a mere 4 months after the intended date partly due to the fact that semi-finalists and finalists kept going on holiday and disappearing off to Australia for several months (see next result).
The Melbourne Cup Day Handicap Doubles - Eric Wilkins took time out from organising the Great Australian Run to show the Aussies how to play Real Tennis - http://rmtc.com.au/2009/11/04/the-melbourne-cup-day-handicap-doubles-2009/
Match Managers
I am please to inform you that a number of members have put themselves forward to organise annual matches against other clubs. Thanks to the following for volunteering. If I have forgotten someone let me know.
Colin Smith Bristol
Tony Harrison Petworth
Gordon Reed To be decided
Simon Johnston To be decided (?)
Paul Reading Cambridge
We already have the following matches organised
Jane Hayes Prested Hall
John Duns / PH Lords
There are plenty of other clubs if you would like to be a match manager. Easy ones for travelling include Queens, Hampton, Manchester, Newmarket, Middlesex. Playing 2 clubs over a weekend is always possible - Oxford & Radley, Oratory & Hardwick, Canford & Hyde, Hardwick & Holyport, Leamingtom & Moreton.
Paul