ABERGAVENNY Tennis Club's Herbie McKenna Morgan pulled another ace out of his hat last week when he was called up for the Hereford and Worcestershire 10&U County Cup Team. Cantref pupil Herbie will compete for his resident County against North Wales, South Wales and English regions in a national-standard event to be held in Cardiff at the end of May.
Herbie's coach Rob Wedlake was delighted with the news, "Herbie's progress in the last year has been extremely impressive and he is reaping the rewards of a big commitment to his tennis. This is the second year in a row that we have had one of our 10&U players selected for their County, a fine achievement for a club located a long way from the majority of tournament activity."
The club's teams have had mixed fortunes as the league season gets underway. After promotion to South Wales Divsion One, the mens first team have laboured to three early defeats to David Lloyd, Rhiwbina and Cardiff Castle with appearances from squad members Arthur Hales, Andy Clement, Mark Johnson, John Oliver, Darryl Walters, Rob Wedlake, Steve Edwards and Lloyd Barcenilla.
Captain Walters will be hoping for a speedy return to fitness of the injured Jeremy Callard who is badly needed to help avoid relegation this season.
Trevor Scott's mens second team were also promoted last year to Division Seven and have had a good start with wins against Rhiwbina and Cardiff Castle and a loss against Barry Athletic. Appearances so far have been impressive from John Ashton, Boy Barcenilla, Dave Davies, Dean Jackson-Johns, Bob Lawton, John Meredith, Robin Skinner, Sean Jones and in particular 11-year old James Morris.
Morris was drafted to the team after a poor show of availability from senior players and highlighted the strength of the clubs junior section by partnering Sean Jones for the decisive win in the 5-4 victory over Rhiwbina. Some club members commented that maybe the 12&U team should replace the Mens firsts!
The Ladies first team secured a 4-2 victory in their opening match of Division Two. Rachel Jowitt returned following the birth of her baby daughter to partner Claire Howes in two convincing victories, with Alice Garlick also on form after international duty to partner Helen Parker to one comfortable victory and a close defeat. Nan Jones partnered captain Brenda Saunders also won one and lost onr to secure the overall win.
Roe Bissett's second team are only one division below the first team after promotion last year and suffered an opening defeat to David Lloyd. However Captain Bissett was impressed with newcomers Steph Hall and Andrea Norris as well as regular team players Sarah Miles, Lesley Bruce and Leigh Walters.
The club also runs two Ladies and two Mixed teams in the Cymru Kitchens Gwent mid-week leagues.
The highlight for the mixed teams was an all-Abergavenny affair as its 'A' and 'B' teams were pitted against each other in the Premier Division.
The 'A' team of Helen Parker, Mark Johnson, Brenda Saudners and Steve Edwards came out victorious against the 'B' team of Ashley Barcenilla, John Oliver, Nan Jones and Darryl Walters but it was not without a fight as the club showed its mixed doubles strength with two teams in the top tier.
Diane Lowe's Ladies 'B' team have enjoyed a superb start and top the table after wins over Caerphilly, Usk and Crickhowell. Captain Lowe has been boosted by the form of team members Noni Heritage, Sandra Travers and Sara Underwood as well as some terrific sportsmanship from the Caerphilly team after the floodlights went out at 10.05pm and the scores were left as they were.
ATC has entered 10 Mini and Junior teams in the South Wales Aegon Leagues and has had its strength rewarded by being selected in 'County Division One' in all Mini Tennis age-groups where it is competing against the main performance centres of Swansea, Cardiff and Newport rather than other outdoor clubs.
Despite some defeats the teams have managed to hold their own as the 8&U's (Cai Morton Smith, Chris Taylor, Megan Tyler, Dylan Humphrey, Rhodri Townsend, Lydia MOrris and Zak Robinson), 9&U's (Oliver Stansfield, Elliot Simmonds, Bethany Jones and Louise Sadler) and 10&U's (Herbie McKenna-Morgan, Will Robinson, Alex Grayer, India Lesbirel and Hollis McGlynn) have given their opponents a close run for their money, the 9&U 5-5 draw at David Lloyd being the highlight.
At junior ages, exam-enforced absence's at 16&U and 18&U level have hit the team heavily but Sean Jones, Jon Morgan, Alex Williams, Luke Williams, Harry Lesbirel and Joe Atkinson have represented the clubs well despite defeats to Newport, Usk and Dinas Powys.
At 14&U the Girls team are on course for a high finish after wins against Rhiwbina and Radyr and a narrow defeat to Allt Yr Yn. Selections so far have been Mair Floyd-Bosley, Jemma Davies, Arrianwen Fields and the impressive Lucy Jones who is undefeated for the season despite playing up from 12&U.
The 14&U boys team of Luke Williams, Callum Simmonds, Cameron Martin and Dan Taylor suffered an agonising 7-6 defeat to Penarth, with a doubles tie-break shootout required with the scores tied at 6-6 and will still hold hopes of a high finish the season. ATC has 2 12&U teams with a 'B' team being used to develop some young talent. Despite defeats to Penarth, Penarth Windsor and Fishguard, the team of Jack Grayer, Sam Hay, Drew Heffernan, Sam Powell and Ollie Tod will be pleased with their start in team tennis in which they have another year left in the age-group.
The 'A' team of Gareth Rees, Tom Davies, James Morris and Dan Taylor has like the Mini teams been selected in County Division One. An opening defeat to Swansea was followed by a whitewash victory over Esporta Glamorgan and a thrilling 7-6 victory over Newport after a shootout victory from Rees and Davies, leaving Aber second in the table.
For more information on playing opportunities at ATC as well as its planned involvement in National Family week, visit abergavennytennis.org.uk.