[<<] [>>] by Chris Roberts at Phyllis Court
8th July 2016 (GC - Inter-Club)

Phyllis Court reached the semi-final stage of the GC Inter-Club Championship for only the second time, with an impressive victory over a strong Cheltenham team.

Although Phyllis Court were stronger on paper than their visitors (fielding players with handicaps of -2, 0, 0, 1 to Cheltenham's 0, 0, 1, 1), at the half way stage the hosts had a lot to do.

Chris Roberts and David Hopkins had lost their doubles rubber to Tony Forbes and Richard Thompson in straight games, partly due to a 'wrong ball' being played at a crucial stage, and Helena Jansson had had no joy in a two game loss to Richard Raby.

Fortunately for the hosts, Mike Fensome had salvaged a 2-1 win over Alan Slater, leaving the fixture poised on the game match wins scoreline at lunch.

In the afternoon, Roberts tied the match 2-2 with a quick victory over Forbes, but all the other rubbers were long drawn-out affairs.

Jansson was next to finish and beat Slater in a third game decider, to leave Phyllis Court needing one more win for victory.
Hopkins made home on-lookers 'sweat' by going to the 13th hoop with Thompson, but won that point, the rubber (in straight games) and put the match result beyond doubt.

Fensome then added the icing with a win in three games over Raby, giving the result of the fixture a 5-2 scoreline, which was a tad harsh on Cheltenham.

Phyllis Court now face National Champions Ashby (in all likelihood featuring England Internationals Will Gee and Rachel Rowe, the former Women's World Champion).

This will be the biggest match staged at the Henley-on-Thames club in the modern era.

Scores (Phyllis Court Names First)

Chris Roberts (-2) & David Hopkins (1) lost to Tony Forbes (0) & Richard Thompson (0) 4-7, 6-7
Mike Fensome (0) beat Alan Slater (1) 7-5,6-7,7-5
Helena Jansson (0) lost to Richard Raby (1) 2 -7, 4-7
Chris Roberts beat Tony Forbes 7-2, 7-2
David Hopkins beat Richard Thompson 4-4, 7-6
Mike Fensome beat Richard Raby 4-7, 7-3, 7-5
Helena Jansson beat Alan Slater 7-5, 5-7, 7-3