FOLLOWING their opening success in the national club league, Manor Park men's A team travelled to the High Ercall club in Shropshire.

Though a wet and windy day they managed to secure two rubbers before the match was abandoned. The rules state that the remaining four rubbers are shared so Manor Park gained another 4-2 victory. The successful team was Mike Marks, Phil Newbury, Geoff Smith and Rory Guilding.

At county level, the division one men's A team opened the season with a tough match against the Bromsgrove A team. After the first round Manor Park were up by two rubbers to one. This included the third pair, Geoff Smith and Rory Guilding, defeating Bromsgrove's second pair in a very close three-set match.

Geoff and Rory then made light work of their third pair but the other couples got involved in extremely tight three set matches. Chris Skinner and Dan Thorp came back from a set down to win 7-5 in the third against the second pair and Mike Marks and Phil Newbury took Bromsgrove's first pair to a third set tie-break but lost mainly due to some excellent serving by the opposition.

However, a 4-2 victory was a very pleasing result against one of the top teams in the county.

This year for the first time Manor Park has both its Mixed A and B teams in division one of the H & W league and their first matches were against each other.

The A team were last year's winners of division one and the B team have just gained promotion.

The match was played in a friendly but very competitive manner and there were some very close games. In the opening round both matches went to three sets with the A team managing to take both rubbers.

In the second round Rory Guilding and Liz Veal clinched a two-set victory for the A team over Ali and Barry Tuck. Meanwhile the other game again went to three sets with the A team winning this rubber with Geoff and Penny Smith defeating Jo and Mike Marks 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The A team were obviously pleased with their result but the B team feel optimistic about their season in division one after this good performance.

This year Manor Park has entered at least one team in every category of Junior National Club League. It is the only club in H&W able to do this.

So far the U11 boys have played their first match in the league on Saturday. Though a relatively young side, they played extremely well against Ross. At number one, 8-year-old Jamie Marks defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-3. At number two, 10-year-old David Hodgetts won 6-0, 6-3 and at number three, 10-year-old Jack Cooney defeated his opponent 6-0, 6-4

Jamie and Jack then paired up for the doubles which, despite coming back from a set down to win the second set 6-1, they lost the match tie break 7-10. The overall result was a 3-2 win to Manor Park.

Manor Park wish to thank Collishine Body Repair Services (Worcester) for their kind sponsorship of the Junior Tennis Section this season.

The club is looking to other businesses to help facilitate the growth of junior tennis. Anyone interested contact 01684 574010.