Category: Tennis News

31 August  There was plenty of good tennis to enjoy this afternoon, with the six Finals of the 2025 Club Championships.  Many of the finalists are pictured below, along with Club Chair Phil Reid and tournament organiser Freddie Page, not forgetting barbecue chef Luke Wildgoose.

Winners this year were:

Men’s Singles: Ben Lloyd (left) with runner-up Patrick Nagle

Ladies Singles:  Georgie Ponting (left) with runner-up Jenny Collins

Ladies Doubles:  Tory Houghton and Liz Hipkiss (runners-up Jenny Collins and Polly Senior)

Senior Men’s Singles:  Mike Allen (runner-up Simon Cottingham)

Men’s Doubles:  Patrick Nagle and Simon Cottingham (pictured with runners-up Ben Lloyd and Matt Fielden)

Mixed Doubles:  James Lilburne and Georgie Ponting (pictured with runners-up Tory Houghton and Mike Allen)

Earlier in the day, the morning had seen a fully-subscribed and hugely enjoyable Handicap Tournament, the handicap ensuring that almost every five-game ‘match’ ended 3-2!  The Final was equally close, Ed Houghton and Sally Bryant pipping Freddie Page and Ulli Parkinson 11-9 in the championship tiebreak.

      COURT LIGHTING
IT’LL SOON BE TIME TO LIGHT THE COURTS AGAIN for evening play from September to March.  Existing lighting-fob holders have already been emailed about renewing.  If you didn’t invest in a fob last year and would like to do so now, it’s very easy: just click on this for details: https://wbtc.org.uk/news/court-lighting-how-to-order-your-key/

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
TOURNAMENT DAY & BARBECUE

THIS YEAR’S FINALS DAY IS FOR EVERYONE!

IN THE AFTERNOON, 1.30:
The Finals of the Club Championships. They should be great matches, and there’ll be a barbecue busy all afternoon – come and enjoy!

AND IN THE MORNING, 10.00:
For everyone who hasn’t made it to a final (or hasn’t played in the championships at all), come and play in a special, sociable HANDICAP TOURNAMENT, one part competitive, three parts fun.  You don’t need a partner to enter, and you won’t have an individual handicap.  Your partner and your handicap will change in each game to guarantee a close game every time.  With Pimms and strawberries to follow (and the barbecue busy cooking, too), it’ll be a fun prelude to the afternoon’s Club Finals. TO ENTER, SIMPLY EMAIL woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com SAYING “YES, I/WE WANT TO PLAY IN THE HANDICAP TOURNAMENT ON SUNDAY 31^ST.”  DO IT NOW!

*** NEW TERM’S COACHING:  BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the new term of group coaching at the Club, for both adults and juniors, starting in the week beginning September 8th.  For all details go to our website pages https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for juniors) and https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for adults). 

*** This Autumn’s adult coaching includes… ***

Feeling rusty?  Want to sharpen up your game?  Rusty Rackets sessions are running for 6 weeks on
WEDNESDAYS 6.00–7.00 pm, starting 17th September.
To book your place, click on https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/

And… JUNIOR HOLIDAY CAMP   Week 2 of our popular summer camp is coming up NEXT WEEK:  Monday 18th-Wednesday 20th August,  9:00-11:00 (Ages 5-9) & 11:15 – 1:15pm (Ages 10-16).  A last few places are still available: for more information and to secure your place, click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
AUGUST
SATURDAY 16^th, 1 pm:  Men’s B v North Oxford; Men’s C v Faringdon
SATURDAY 23^rd, 1 pm:   Ladies A v Thame; Ladies D v Appleton
SATURDAY 30^th, 1 pm:  Mixed A v Appleton; Mixed D v Chinnor
SUNDAY 31^st, 10 am:  Club Handicap Tournament; 1.30 pm: Club Finals Afternoon
SEPTEMBER
WEDNESDAY 3^rd, 10 am:  Mixed Midweek v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 6^th, 1 pm:  Ladies C v Faringdon; Men’s D v Oxford City

COURT LIGHTING – DETAILS
Our court lighting has been back in operation since September.  We have planning permission to play under lights from September till the end of March, with an automatic cut-off every night at 9.30 pm.
The club’s current timetable can now run all the year round, so that our coaching programme, for example, and our popular Club Nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will continue right through the winter.

TO USE THE LIGHTS: We’ve installed a touch-pad on each side of the courtside feeder pillar, one controlling the lights on the single court and the other controlling the lights on the three-court block.  Both pads switch on and off using one and the same key-fob.

If you’d like your own fob so that you can play in the evenings whenever you wish, they are available to all adult members (they cannot be used by unsupervised juniors).  You can order one and pay for it by bank transfer.  The cost will be £15.  This is for the whole autumn and winter from September through to 31 March, and enables you to play as often as you like.

TO ORDER YOUR FOB, SIMPLY EMAIL woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com WITH THE MESSAGE “FOB, PLEASE!” and pay £15 by BACS TO:
Account Name: Woodstock Bowls and Tennis Club
Sort Code: 20-98-48
Account: 10952672
Payment Reference: Key-fob /Your Name

WE WILL THEN ARRANGE COLLECTION OF YOUR FOB.  The easiest time is at the Tuesday Club Nights and Thursday Team Practice Nights (5.30 ONWARDS) and at the Club Afternoons on Sundays (1.30 start).

***  N.B.:  YOUR FOB MUST BE ORDERED AND PAID FOR IN ADVANCE – FOBS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE CLUB. ***

There’ll be a lot of new news in the next entry (mid-August), but for the moment just a couple of reminders…

SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS 2025
Our excellent coaches are running three-day Tennis Camps for Juniors at the club in the summer holidays.  Come and join us for some fun and engaging tennis sessions.  The dates are:
Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th July
Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th August
09:00 – 11:00 (Ages 5-9)
11:15 – 1:15pm (Ages 10-15)
You can book all three days (full enrolment) or individual days (casual enrolment).
Please use the following link to check availability and book your place:
Woodstock Tennis Club Summer Camps – Book Here 

*** A REMINDER TO MEMBERS: PLEASE NOTE: on the mornings of the Junior Camps there will often be only one court free for play.  All courts will be available as usual each day from 1.30.

GUESTS
If you have friends and family visiting this summer, please remember that members are welcome to bring guests to play, but no one may play as a guest more than three times in any one year.
 A fee of £5 must be paid per guest per visit.
Please pay by BACS, sending the relevant sum to:
Account Name: Woodstock Bowls and Tennis Club
Sort Code: 20-98-48      Account No: 10952672
Payment Reference:  [Your Name] / Guest Fee  

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
JULY
THURSDAY 24^th, 10 am:  Men’s Midweek v North Oxford
SATURDAY 26^th, 1 pm:   Ladies A v Bicester; Ladies B v Witney
AUGUST
SATURDAY 2^nd, 1 pm:  Ladies C v Cholsey; Mixed C v Goring
SATURDAY 9^th, 1 pm:  Mixed B v Faringdon; Mixed C v Benson
SATURDAY 16^th, 1 pm:  Men’s B v North Oxford; Men’s C v Faringdon

TALKING OF MATCHES … A SYMMETRICAL SATURDAY
Both our Mixed teams playing at home last Saturday had similarly decisive wins, in a pair of matches played in an equally and notably sporting spirit.

Our Mixed A beat North Oxford C  7-1, and…

… our Mixed D beat Appleton B by the same score.  Splendidly symmetrical: an altogether satisfying afternoon!

SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS 2025

Our excellent coaches are running three-day Tennis Camps for Juniors at the club in the summer holidays.  Come and join us for some fun and engaging tennis sessions.  Children will learn the fundamentals of technical and tactical aspects of the game at an age-appropriate level.
The dates are:
Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th July
Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th August
09:00 – 11:00 (Ages 5-9)
11:15 – 1:15pm (Ages 10-15)
You can book all three days (full enrolment) or individual days (casual enrolment).  Please use the following link to secure your place:

Woodstock Tennis Club Summer Camps – Book Here 

Places are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

*** Members please note: on the mornings of the Junior Camps there will often be only one court free for play.  All courts will be available as usual each day from 1.30.

SOCIAL TENNIS
Make the most of summer-tennis weather and just turn up and play!  Everyone is always welcome to our Club Sessions:
TUESDAYS 1.30-3.30 and 5.30 ONWARDS: Social Tennis.
THURSDAYS 5.30 ONWARDS: Team Practice Nights for all keen to play team tennis.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions: every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30. HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:

JUNE

SUNDAY 29^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Cholsey  [4 courts from 3.30 till approx. 5.30]

JULY

SATURDAY 5^th, 10 am:  Men’s D v Banbury
           1 pm:  Men’s B v Witney; Men’s C v Abingdon
WEDNESDAY 9^th, 10 am:  Mixed Midweek v Wantage
SATURDAY 12^th, 1 pm:  Ladies D v Deddington
WEDNESDAY 16^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Goring; Men’s Midweek v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 19^th, 1 pm: Mixed A v North Oxford; Mixed D v Appleton
THURSDAY 24^th, 10 am:  Men’s Midweek v North Oxford

THANKS TO EVERYONE who entered our social (and sociable) tournament on Sunday 18^th, complete with a rolling handicap to ensure close games.  It came with summery weather (and equally summery Pimms and strawberries).  Hugely enjoyable.  There’ll be another or similar soon.  Do be sure to enter early, as places on Sunday filled fast.

HENMANS JUNIOR TOURNAMENT
A REMINDER that in the last week of May, in the half-term holiday, we’re hosting our annual Henmans Junior Tournament, now proudly in its 28^th year.  In 2025 it is generously sponsored once more by Blenheim Palace: the Club is very grateful for their continuing support.
THE COURTS WILL OF COURSE BE BUSY during the tournament days from Monday to Friday, 26-30 May, but will be free each day by late afternoon, so Club Nights that week (Tuesday and Thursday, 5.30) will run as usual.

TENNIS v BOWLS – THE JERRAMS CUP
Come and join the Tennis Team in our annual Bowls v Tennis bowls match for the Jerrams Cup.  It’s on Saturday 21 June, afternoon.
No experience necessary!  Whether or not you’ve ever bowled before, you’ll be very welcome.  Just talk to our team captain Kate Paice or drop Kate a line by emailing woodstocktennisclub@gmail.comHOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:

MAY

SATURDAY 24^th, 1 pm:  Ladies C v Witney; Men’s D v Kings Sutton
SATURDAY 31^st, 1 pm:  Ladies B v David Lloyd; Ladies D v Kingston Bagpuize

JUNE

MONDAY 2^nd, 6.30 pm:  Friendly v Standlake
WEDNESDAY 4^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Oxford Sports; Men’s Midweek v Abingdon
SATURDAY 7^th, 1 pm:  Mixed A v Wychwoods; Mixed C v Goring
SUNDAY 8^th, 10 am:  Mixed D v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 14^th, 1 pm:  Ladies A v North Oxford; Men’s A v Witney
SUNDAY 15^th, 10 am:  Ladies C v Abingdon
WEDNESDAY 25^th, 10 am:  Mixed Midweek v Portcullis
SATURDAY 28^th, 1 pm:  Mixed B v North Oxford
SUNDAY 29^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Cholsey  [4 courts from 3.30 till approx. 5.30]

HENMANS JUNIOR TOURNAMENT
At the end of May, in the half-term holiday, we’re hosting our annual Henmans Junior Tournament, now proudly in its 28^th year.  In 2025 it is generously sponsored once more by Blenheim Palace: the Club is very grateful for their continuing support.
The courts will of course be busy throughout the tournament days from Monday to Friday, 26-30 May, but will be free each day by late afternoon, so Club Nights that week will run as usual.

Talking of Club Nights…       

CLUB SESSIONS
It’s great to see our Club Sessions thriving.
Come and join in: they’re every week on
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS: 1.30-3.30
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS: 1.30-3.30
TUESDAY EVENINGS: 5.30 onwards
And THURSDAY EVENINGS 5.30 onwards: TEAM PRACTICE NIGHT for everyone interested in playing team tennis
                                     And talking of tournaments…

HANDICAP TOURNAMENT… WITH SUMMERY PIMMS!
                          *** SUNDAY 18^th, 1.30 pm ***

Enter and play in our social (and sociable) tournament, complete with Pimms (and strawberries if they’re looking good) to follow.  There’ll be an ever-changing handicap to guarantee A CLOSE GAME EVERY TIME.  You don’t need a partner to enter: partners will change each game.  TO ENTER, SIMPLY EMAIL woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com SAYING “YES, I/WE WANT TO ENTER THE HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.”

HOME MATCHES THIS MONTH [each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 3^rd, 1 pm:  Ladies A v Abingdon; Men’s A v Oxford Sports
SUNDAY 4^th, 10 am:  Ladies D v Hanney
WEDNESDAY 7^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v North Oxford; Men’s Midweek v Mapledurham
SATURDAY 10^th, 1 pm:  Men’s B v Watlington; Men’s C v Deddington
SUNDAY 11^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Abingdon  [4 courts from 3.30 till approx. 5.30]
WEDNESDAY 14^th, 10 am:  Mixed Midweek v Kingston Bagpuize
SATURDAY 17^th, 1 pm:  Mixed B v Bicester
WEDNESDAY 21^st, 6.30 pm:  Friendly v Standlake
SATURDAY 24^th, 1 pm:  Ladies C v Witney; Men’s D v Kings Sutton
SATURDAY 31^st, 1 pm:  Ladies B v David Lloyd; Ladies D v Kingston Bagpuize

*** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: EARLY SAVINGS THIS WEEK ***
Many thanks to everyone who’s already renewed for 2025/26. A quick reminder that our new “membership year” begins on April 1^st, and …*** THERE ARE BIG SAVINGS FOR RENEWAL THIS WEEK, BEFORE 31^st MARCH. ***
All the details of prices and the simple payment process are on https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/

EASTER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
Our excellent coaches are running a three-day Tennis Camp for Juniors in the Easter Holidays, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7–9 April.  For all the details of times, age-groups, prices and to book your place, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/
*** MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE: court space will be limited on those three mornings, but all courts will be free as usual each day from 1.30 onwards ***

COACHING
The Summer Term of group coaching, for both juniors and adults, starts straight after Easter.  Booking is now open.  All the details are on our website: https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for adults) and https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for juniors).

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Another deadline!  Entries for this summer’s Club Championships close on 31 March.  For events, dates and how to enter, check the website: https://wbtc.org.uk/news/club-championships-this-summer/

TEAM TENNIS
Thanks and well done everyone who’s played in our Woodstock teams this Winter.  And congrats especially to our Men’s B, Ladies B and Ladies D who’ve all won promotion from their divisions (the Ladies D in first place), and to our Men’s Midweek team who retained their league title. Good luck to all our 15 teams in the upcoming Summer season.
WE RUN TEAMS across a wide ability range and are always delighted to welcome new players to the squads.  If you’re not involved in a team and would like to be, just email woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com and let us know.

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
MARCH: SATURDAY 29^th, 1 pm:  Men’s E v Goring
APRIL: SATURDAY 5^th, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Thame; Men’s D v Cholsey
SATURDAY 12^th, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Brackley; Ladies C v Abingdon
SATURDAY 26^th, 1 pm:  Mixed C v Mixed D

CLUB SESSIONS
It’s been great to see our Club Sessions thriving even through unfriendly winter weather.  Come and join in: they’re every week on
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS: 1.30-3.30
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS: 1.30-3.30
TUESDAY EVENINGS: 5.30 ONWARDS
And THURSDAY EVENINGS 5.30 ONWARDS: TEAM PRACTICE NIGHT for everyone interested in playing team tennis RE-STRINGING
And if with your matches, practice, coaching and social play your racket needs a new-season RE-STRING, club member Bob Coomber offers a quick and expert service.  You can contact Bob on 07484 368977 or email bob.coomber@icloud.com

It is that time of year again when we are asking you to enter the Summer Club Championship.

While of course someone has to win each tournament, so many of you told me that what was so nice about last year’s event was simply the taking part that allowed you to play competitively against club members who you would not normally play.

The tournaments are open to all club members and last year we had a fantastic turnout…..but this year we can do even better I’m sure!

How to enter

You can choose to enter as many of the following tournaments for which you are eligible:

Men’s Singles
Ladies Singles
Men’s Doubles
Ladies Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Senior Men’s singles (Over 50)

For the doubles tournaments there are two ways to enter:

Choose your own partner and enter as a pair

Simply enter alone and we will endeavour to find a partner for you

Send your entries to Freddie Page, on:

Email: gkpage@btinternet.com

Text/whatsapp: 07388080377

Tournament Dates

Deadline to enter is 31st March 2025

Matches will begin in April and Finals Day will be Sunday 31^st August 2025.

This year the finals day is fixed on the date shown above (obviously weather dependent) so that we can have all finals played on one day and make it an nice event where we can have spectators and some refreshments etc.   So……..

IMPORTANT – If during the tournament it becomes clear that you will not be able make the finals day date (31st August) then please withdraw and allow your opponents(s) to go through to the next round. 

Tournament Details

Full details will be sent to you prior to the tournaments starting, but in summary:

Matches will consist of two sets (with tie-breaks to 7 as usual at 6-6) – with a championship tie-break (to 10) deciding the winner if the match is tied after two sets.

All  matches must be completed within a specified timescale which will be shown on the draw sheets – obviously we do have some flexibility if required.

The draw sheets will also highlight who is responsible for arranging each match.

The success of this event will rely on your participation so please enter if you can.

After what seems a long and specially dreary winter, spring is surely coming soon, and with it the new Summer season!*** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: EARLY SAVINGS ***

As you know, our “membership year” runs from April to March.  So it’s time to renew.  Many thanks to everyone who’s already renewed for 2025/26, and a very warm welcome to our new members who’ve already joined for the coming year.

*** THERE ARE BIG SAVINGS FOR RENEWAL BEFORE 31^st MARCH. ***

All the details of prices and the simple payment process are on https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/.

SOCIAL: WINE-TASTING EVENING
You are warmly invited to an evening of wine tasting and good food in the clubhouse at 7pm on Friday 28th March. During the evening you will have the opportunity to flex your palate, taste 8 exceptional wines and engage in some friendly competition with our ‘guess the glass’ challenge. There are even prizes on offer for those with the most perceptive taste buds.

A ploughman’s buffet is included in the price and will be suitable for meat eaters and vegetarians alike.

If you are able to join, please transfer the paltry sum of £25 to the club account [same details as for Membership] and email Luke Wildgoose (lukewilliamwildgoose@gmail.com) with your name and any dietary requirements by Saturday 22nd March.  If you’re not a drinker but would still like to attend the rate is £7 to cover the cost of your food.EASTER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
Our excellent coaches are running a three-day Tennis Camp for Juniors in the Easter Holidays, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7–9 April.  For all the details of times, age-groups, prices and to book your place, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/

TEAM TENNIS
Good luck to all our teams in the run-in to the end of the Winter season.                                   
HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 1^st, 1 pm:  Men’s A v North Oxford; Men’s E v Wantage
SATURDAY 8^th, 1 pm:  Men’s D v Benson; Men’s E v Faringdon
SUNDAY 9^th, 10 am:  Men’s C v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 15^th, 1 pm:  Men’s A v Oxford Sports; Men’s C v Shiplake
SUNDAY 16^th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Shiplake
SATURDAY 22^nd, 1 pm:  Ladies D v Benson
SATURDAY 29^th, 1 pm:  Men’s E v GoringBALL RECYCLING:  A reminder that we recycle used tennis balls.  Please don’t bin your used balls.  Just leave them in the labelled white container in the conservatory, and we’ll recycle them with those from the Club.  But please note that if you mark initials etc on them, they cannot be recycled.  Thanks.