This month there have been plenty of matches for the Grove Hill tennis teams. Fortunes have been quite mixed with the Wharfedale A team winning two matches, drawing one and losing another. The B team have won two matches, drawn one and lost one. The C team have struggled in the matches losing two and drawing one.

In the Molly Fawcett Cup the only team left in are the A team who play Beckfoot in the quarter-finals.

The Medley team lost their unbeaten record against Kirkstall in a very close match, but still overcame Pool and got another walkover against Adel.

The Men's team have only played once, away at Sandal when they narrowly lost.

In the Wharfedale Tennis League Grove Hill A team players were Dave and Carol Cherry, John and Penny Hunt, Richard Elliot, James Booker, Robin Fry, Georgina Jackson and Janet Craven.

The first match was away at Beckfoot on their shale courts, which played very well due to some afternoon showers. In contrast to the previous match against Heaton B, Grove Hill managed to win five out of six tiebreaks. Dave and Carol won three of their five sets by tie breaks. Both John and Penny and Richard and Janet won one rubber and then halved another. This ensured that Grove Hill achieved an excellent 6-3 victory, the first time for many years that Grove Hill have beaten Beckfoot on their home territory.

Against Tranmere A the match took place after some torrential teatime downpours subsided. Richard and Georgina got off to a slow start but managed to pull back and halve against the first couple. Carol and Robin easily overcame Mike and Avril. Then the rain returned and puddles formed on court, but despite the conditions there were some very long rallies and no one gave up, although both Grove Hill couples lost a tie break but then Robin and Carol fought back to secure a half. At this time it was decided to abandon the match with the scores being level, the points were shared.

Against Heaton B Grove Hill dominated with Dave and Carol winning all their rubbers, despite some good volleys from Heaton. Only Heaton's first couple managed to make any impression against the consistent performance of the Grove Hill team. The eventual scoreline was a convincing victory for Grove Hill at 7.5 - 1.5.

The match against Ilkley started on the grass courts and initially Grove Hill adjusted well to the court conditions. At the end of the first round both James and Georgina and Dave and Carol managed to halve their rubbers. The inclusion of James in the team boosted Grove Hill's chances but unfortunately neither Richard and Janet nor Dave and Carol could convert long rallies into winning games. Then play was switched to the floodlight omni courts and Ilkley then saw off the Grove Hill challenge winning 6.5 - 2.5.

Grove Hill B team of Val Cox, Lynne Ashworth, Margaret Sanders, Madeline Parfitt, Robin Fry, Phil Crook, Dan Hurst, Nick Berry, Gerry Firth and Tony Claasen visited Beckfoot and played well winning 6 - 2 . Phil Crook was able to play for the first time this season joining forces with Margaret to put up a good fight against Beckfoot's very determined No. 3 couple. Lynne and Gerry soon became at home on the shale courts, sliding and gliding and had some long rallies to win two of their rubbers. Robin and Val broke the habit of a season and won the first set of the first rubber and went on to do a hat-trick.

At Austwick the two hour round trip was well worth it as the team won 8-1. There are only two courts here which means unfortunately that couple No. 3 always have to wait and it was gone 7.30pm before a rather cold Nick and Margaret got underway. They played one match after the other and by the time they played Austwick''s No 1 couple they were on a roll and beat them 6-0. Robin and Val and Gerry and Lynne did their bit gaining 2 rubbers each.

The team got off to a shaky start at Tranmere not gaining any points in the first round. But the team dug their heels in and managed a draw against a very good side. Robin and Val got to a tie break in the first rubber but couldn't hold on to it. Although they managed to win the next two. Phil and Lynne won their first game very convincingly 6-3 and 6-0, lost their second but won the third round 6-4. Madeline and Tony (playing for the first time in the B team being a new member to the club this season) made a very valuable half in their last match 6-6 to bring the draw. All the games were long and hard-fought. Grove Hill lost the last match of the month to Ilkley C 8-1. Madeline and Dan's first game went on for over an hour ending in a tie break against a very tenacious No. 3 couple but to no avail.

The Grove Hill C team of Linda Smith, Mary Booker, Carol Stephenson, Hilary Dove, Barbara Lewis, Madeline Parfitt, Mike Peart, Dave Lewis, Dan Hurst, Ron Drake, Richard Sharpe, Nick Berry, Tony Claasen and Richard Elliot played hosts to Austwick B but the match was interrupted by showers of rain. Second couple Carol and Mike battled on in the first round to win both sets on a tiebreak. The next match was in the Molly Fawcett Cup against Pudsey at home. Grove Hill put up a strong fight but were outclassed by a superior Pudsey side. Linda and Tony managed to halve in the first round. Dan and Madeline lost out in 3 tiebreaks. Even the solid partnership of the Lewis's was no match for the Pudsey side. Grove Hill lost 8-1.

At Ilkley the match was played on the omni courts in fine weather. Dan and Madeline battled on and got to some tiebreaks, but unfortunately lost each of them. Dave and Barbara won the only point against Ilkley's third couple.

In the final match of the month Grove Hill played at Crosshills. Nick and Margaret won 2.5 points and Carol and Richard Sharp won two points. But unfortunately Linda and Tony took it in turns to play below par and so were not able to gain the vital points to achieve a victory in this match. Thus the match finished as a draw.

In the North Leeds Medley League team players were Dave Cherry, John Hunt, Robin Fry, Richard Elliott, Hilary Dove, Janet Craven and Carol Cherry. A determined Grove Hill team played at Pool, who have an excellent home record. In a competitive match Grove Hill dominated all the mixed doubles, with each couple winning their rubbers comfortably. In fact in two of the rubbers (the ladies' doubles and a mixed) Grove Hill repeated their home performance winning both to love. Particular mention must go to Richard Elliot who finished off many rallies with some excellent angled volleys. The final score was 7-2 to Grove Hill.

In the return match against Kirkstall they fielded a strong team intent on seeking revenge for their home defeat. After Grove Hill only managed to halve the ladies in the first round Grove Hill then had an uphill struggle for the rest of the match. In fact the match went all the way and the final outcome hinged on the last rubber with Janet and John battling under the floodlights. Initially things seemed to be going in Grove Hill's favour with Janet serving at 8-6. Unfortunately the exertions of the weekend (the 140 mile Great Yorkshire Bike ride) caught up with Janet and she wilted under pressure, losing two match points. Kirkstall then managed to draw at 8-8, which ensured a victory of 5-4. This was Grove Hill's first defeat of the season but that still leaves them at the top of the league.