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RAOC Gazette - page 201

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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1983
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Early date 1983
Late date 1983
Transcription RAOC TENNIS 1983
ARMY LAWN TENNIS LEAGUE. Despite a general exodus
from UK of many of last year's team the Corps side has had
just enough strength in depth to provide a good side for the
League this year. Although we have not won many matches
we have made our opponents fight hard and have bloodied some
young players who are now getting stronger all the time. We
had a few for the backbone, Lieutenant Robbie Robinson for
a couple of matches, Major John Rose, Major Bob Maclagan,
Major David Avery who is also our Secretary and Lieutenant
Colonel John Woodliffe who captained the side again. Our
newer players included Captain Harry O'Hare, Captain Matt
Fenwicic; these two really worked hard, they even attended
coaching sessions (un-British) and really are gaining in ability
all the time. Captain Peter Osbourne, a newcomer who will
be a regular player in the years to come, Major Roger Atrill
who came all the way from Preston a few times and Major
Stewart Bennett helped out as well. Major Alan Jamieson left
Horseguards long enough to play for us and we were very
glad to see him. It was the first time for years that the Corps
has been an all officer team and although we were delighted
to congratulate Lieutenant Robbie Robinson on his promotion
that heralded this we hope that it won't be long before Staff
Sergeant Orszewski, Sergeants Smith and Burke, Staff Sergeant
Pearson and others are back in the fold again.
A / L a n c c Corporal Adams and A / C o r p o r a l Connolicy receiving their
prizes from Mrs Whalley on winning the Apprentices Doubles.
the RAOC Training Centre for their superb administrative
support.
At the conclusion of the play at 5 o'clock on the Saturday
Mrs Whalley presented the prizes to the winners and runners-up
listed at the foot of the page.
ARMY TENNIS. We are proud to report that Sergeant Smith was
the runner-up in the Army Tennis Championships which took
place between 23rd—28th July at the Aldershot Officers Club.
He did magnificently well to reach the final but was beaten
by the reigning champion Captain Mark Jeffrey of REME.
He was then selected for the Army team in the Inter Services
and helped the Army to their second successive win. The Army
got nine rubbers, the RAF eight and the luckless RN only one
rubber. Sergeant Smith playing at No. 3 in the singles beat
Squadron Leader Carson two six, six three, six three, and Lieu-
tenant Gibb RM six two, six four. Partnering Captain Braithwaite
15/19H as No. 3 doubles pair they beat the RN pair Lieutenant
Gibb and Lieutenant Holt six four, six two but just lost to the
RAF pair Flying Officer Leatt and Sergeant Gauge four six,
six seven. What a tremendous achievement.
Mrs Whalley presents Lieutenant Colonel Woodliffe and Miss
Woodliffe with the trophy for the Mixed Doubles at the U K
Championships.
UK CHAMPIONSHIPS.
It was unfortunate that the date
chosen for the UK Championships 14th—16th July coincided
with the BAOR Army Championships which meant that Sergeant
Smith was unable to return to UK to defend those trophies he
won last year.
The Championships were blessed with superb weather.
The courts at the Aldershot Officers Club were in good condition
and those taking part had some very enjoyable tennis.
The actual entry for the competition was fairly low but we
were very pleased to have quite a number of young apprentices
many with a great deal of potential. (They even beat well known
players like Brigadier Spackman, Colonel Hendy and Colonel
Man which was most unfair). We were also delighted to see
the spectators who came to see the competition on the last day,
particularly Major General and Mrs Whalley and Brigadier and
Mrs Parker who were most welcome.
The layout of the marquees and furniture gave the whole
event a garden party atmosphere and we were very grateful to

PRESENTATIONS
Ladies Open Singles—Winner: Mrs J. Roycroft; Runner-
up: Miss S. Woodliffe.
Ladies Handicap Singles—Winner: Mrs J. Roycroft;
Runner-up: Captain A. Michelli.
Ladies Handicap Doubles—Winners: Miss S. Woodliffe and
Mrs M. Brady; Runners-up: Mrs J. Roycroft and Mrs J.
Furness-Gibbon.
Mens Open Singles—Winner: Lieutenant Colonel J.
Woodliffe; Runner-up: Major R. Attrill.
Mens Open Doubles—Winners: Lieutenant Colonel J.
Woodliffe and Major J. Rose; Runners-up: Lieutenant Colonel
S. Roach and Captain P. Osborne.
Mens Handicap Singles—Winner: WOl (RSM) Patchitt;
Runner-up: A/Lance Corporal Adams.
Mens Handicap Doubles—Winners: Lieutenant Colonel
S. Roach and Major J. Rose; Runners-up: Captain W. Stanton
and Lance Corporal Bobbett.
166 —
Book number R0406