Boston Red Sox s Mookie Betts, second from right, celebrates with Jackie Bradley Jr. and Sandy Leon after hitting a three-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jacob Faria during the third inning of Tuesday night s game in St. Petersburg, Fla. AP PHOTO
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Mookie Betts hit his major league-leading 16th homer, Chris Sale struck out nine in 72/3 innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Willy Adames made his big league debut and hit a solo home run off Sale in his second at-bat. The 22-year-old shortstop went 1 for 4 with three strikeouts. He was acquired from Detroit as part of a three-team trade that sent Rays ace -- and current Sale teammate -- David Price to the Tigers on July 31, 2014.
Betts hit a go-ahead, three-run drive in the third off Jake Faria (3-3), who left two batters later because of a strained left oblique. Faria was replaced with a 1-2 count on Hanley Ramirez by Austin Pruitt, who gave up one run in 51/3 innings.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Allenj Senior Airman Mubarak Rashid, a fuels laboratory technician from 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron, places a seperatory funnel in a Fuel Systems Icing Inhibitor (FSII) shaker to test for for FSII content in the fuels laboratory Jan. 24. The Fuels Management Flight was recently presented the Roy Bateman Award as the best fuels flight in Air Education and Training Command.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley speaks to Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Feb. 5 in Southwest Asia. Chief McKinley spoke to Airmen about changes in the Air Force that will be implemented in upcoming months.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFNEWS) — The Air Force has been deployed to the Middle East in one fashion or another for more than 16 years and, according to the service’s top officer, Airmen should expect this trend to continue for at least the next 10. read more...
The 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron was recently named Air Education and Training Command’s 2006 Roy Bateman Award, recognizing them as the best fuels management operation in the command. read more...
WASHINGTON — Since the Air Force started manning convoy operations in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had an opportunity to put their rifle training to use in real-world scenarios. read more...
﻿A lovely day with some very close matches and some rather one-sided ones - maybe the welcoming Bloody Marys had some effect on the results? Many thanks to Pam for providing a convivial atmosphere, a lovely lunch and for organising a day that everyone enjoyed.﻿
This postponed match was a truly fun event, with great spirit and some good tennis. What started looking like a rout for the LRTA ended with a rout for Newmarket, as a succession of LRTA ladies swept their opponents off the court with clever play and some fiendish railroad serving. In fact, the final game of the day was indicative of the Prested ladies’ style in particular. The unfortunate opponent bamboozled by three final railroads in succession swinging off the back wall, to end the match.
The first three matches gave the LRTA players difficulty against two cunning and powerful opponents. Annabel Wyatt took a long time to settle on the court, and Hazel Dunn (playing for Newmarket rather than LRTA) took full advantage, especially with some good serving. At 7-0 to Hazel, Annabel suddenly got into her stride and started to win games, up to 4/7. But too high a mountain, and Hazel then got the final game 8/4.
In the doubles, Annabel with Linda Fairbrother kept in touch up to 4 all, with Linda’s serve in particular giving Julia Scott trouble. But Hazel and Julia then started peppering Annabel and piling on pressure in the rests, as well as serving better, and they took the rest of the games 8/4.
In the singles between Julia and Linda, Linda staged two separate come-backs: from 4/1 down to 4 all; and then from 7/4 down to 7/6. But running a temperature as she was, her tank was now empty, and she couldn’t stop Julia winning 8/6.
Sarah Hughes belied her handicap of 65 with some powerful low hitting and excellent volleys. Her opponent Jeremy Barnett looked flummoxed, as well he might, when faced with the barrage, and though he managed four games, he was always on the back foot. Sarah wins 8/4.
Things were now going the LRTA team’s way. In the beginning Philippa Wells of Newmarket looked the more consistent against Elaine Wright, and went ahead 4/2. But Elaine settled, evened it up, and once she found the right length for her lawner-style railroad, it gave her the games, and she won 8/5.
In the next doubles, Karen Pearce made her debut, , a newcomer to the LRTA who works in Cambridge University Sports department and was formerly a national level hockey player. She played well above her mid 60s handicap, and along with Sarah Hughes, walked all over Jeremy Barnett and Bill Mackintosh. Their steady medium pace strokes, with no discernable errors, put huge pressure on the men to go for winners – usually a fatal mistake for them. At 6/0 down, the men won some success with a succession of tricky spinning serves, and got the score to 2/7. But they couldn’t hold off their LRTA opponents for ever, who took the match 8/2.
Karen was on again in singles against Bill Mackintosh, and she continued her careful steady play, keeping the ball low and moving him around the court so he couldn’t find any rhythm. Karen just showed him no chinks in her armour and again he had to recourse to power shots to try to win the points, which either went in the net or were calmly picked up and returned. Karen wins 8/2.
The final doubles was between Elaine Wright and Megan Hawkey of LRTA versus Philippa Wells and Adam Mackintosh. Adam is a young man who obviously believes a tennis ball is there to be hit – hard. This was sometimes effective. But alas for them, not often enough, and the scoreline was 6/0 against them. Then at last a good serve by Adam, followed by a force to the grille, gave the Newmarket team a glimmer of hope. And indeed at 40/0, a successful attack on Chase 2 and 3 finally gave them a game… 1/6. Adam’s enthusiastic shots now started to come off, and another game came their way: 2/6. But the situation soon retured to normal, and the LRTA, with 2 good serves to finish, won 8/2.
The final singles of the day was between Adam Mackintosh and Megan Hawkey. Megan played a good quality non-flashy game, just what was needed against Adam who was trying too hard, slashing down on the ball and making far too many errors as a result. The scoreline moved to 6/0, and then when Megan relaxed her railroad serve, Adam finally took his chance and got a game. But her elegant placing and good serviing kept him under pressure to try too hard, and with her 3 excellent railroads in a row, she finished the match in great style 8/1.
A good day for the LRTA, and we hope for all the players with some excellent play, a lovely lunch of salmon, and lots of good will. Our thanks to Hazel Dunn for organizing the Newmarket team and lunch, and to Andrew Knibbs the professional for his marking.
Well although there may not have been quite so many fancy hats or high heels as can be found at Ascot on Ladies’ Day, there was certainly no shortage of action, drama and tough competition during the match between BRTC and the Ladies Real Tennis Association on Sunday 27 April.
The day had been brilliantly organised by Angela Probyn and Sheila Macintosh, so before any reports we must thank them both for making the day happen and particularly to Angela for providing such a delicious lunch and cakes to keep us admirably sustained during the day and also to thank Kevin King for tireless marking.
The day began with an all ladies’ singles match between Sarah Bryan (BRTC) and Anne Skelhorne (LRTA) which set the tone of the day. Sarah took advantage of being first to “wake up” on court and took the first set 6:2, but Anne then put up a real fight in the second set taking Sarah to 5 games all. In a thrilling final game, which went to no less than 5 deuces, Sarah finally clinched the match 6:2, 6:5.
Next on court was a spectacular doubles match between Henry Mullan and Chris Barraclough (BRTC) and former world champion Penny Lumley with her daughter Tara, currently a student at Bristol University and US Ladies Open Champion. What a treat this game was for the spectators! The quality of shot and speed of play was breathtaking. It was exhausting just watching Penny’s feet, which never stood still for a moment, Henry’s overhead backhand volleys and acrobatic spins on court kept us all gasping, and just when you thought a brilliant shot was a clear winner the ball was miraculously returned keeping the rally going for longer. Henry and Chris emerged as winners in two sets 6:3, 6:4.
Match no. 3 showed the strength in depth of both clubs with a game between Ted Emmett-Martin (BRTC) and Megan Hawkey (LRTA). These two young players, neither with much time on court behind them, had a very good game and showed much promise. Megan’s railroad type serve was terrific and the envy of many spectators with much lower handicaps – we must watch out for both of them in future years. Ted won out 6:2, 6:3.
The battle of the baseball caps came next: Angela Probyn playing Annabel Wyatt in a very close singles match. Both players really upped their game for the occasion with the highlight being a beautiful backhand slice from Angela gently drifting elegantly into the winning gallery. I think Angela was more surprised than anyone! It was a truly beautiful shot. Angela took the first set 6:4 and then had a real battle on her hands before closing the match out 6:5 in the second set.
The finale didn’t disappoint. Jess Garside (LRTA) took on Bristol University student Ivo Shields in a wonderful match to watch. Ivo’s laid back approach (possibly a bit too laid back on his first serve on occasion!) belied his devastating ‘racquets’ shots which he used to brilliant effect, hitting the grill with regularity. Nevertheless, Jess was unphased by his hard hitting and was able to respond with a finesse and pace that floored Ivo on occasions. A great match not truly represented by the score: 6:2, 6:5 to Ivo.
The only minor disappointment was that more club members, and ladies in particular, were not able to come to watch for all or part of the day . It was really super for BRTC to host so many champions, past and very definitely future.
Isabelle Duncan beat Nick Browne in two straight sets: 6/2, 6/3. Isabelle played well below her handicap. Her footwork and movement on court were exceptionally good. She kept the ball low and cut it into the corners.
Lucy Davies and Pam Tomalin also were dominant in their match against Robert Dolman and Ben Rowan, playing consistently and making few errors - apart from one game when Robert serving his left handed railroad had four outright winners!!
Penny Lumley lost to Anthony Jenks in two sets 6/4, 6/3 but all the games were very close and hard fought. Alex Garside lost to Freddy Adam in two sets 6/5, 6/4. Again every point was closely contested.
These two matches were played off level handicaps and were a delight to watch with high quality tennis played by all the players. The games could have gone either way.
Our thanks to Selvy and Michael Rowan for organising the lunch and to Hardwick for allowing us to hold this match yet again on its lovely court.
You never quite know what will happen at a sociable tennis match. In the case of the ever-enjoyable fixture at Hardwick in honour of our gentlemen members, it was the arrival of one of the players with no clothes.
Not actually naked, of course, but without the vital bag containing shoes, socks, skirt, etc which – as she realized on arrival – was two hours’ drive away in her kitchen...................with 20 minutes to go for her first match. Luckily the other LRTA ladies were up to the task. Within minutes, a skort, top, and socks were produced. Finding small enough shoes was a bit harder, but some woollen plaid socks were donated as extra padding, Pam Tomalin’s feet were mugged as she left court, and Cinderella got to the Ball in time.
Later, Candida Nicholls arrived with a spare pair of shoes (obviously anticipating a nasty shoe-lace malfunction), so from then on, Pam could keep her shoes to herself.
Meantime the other five mixed doubles players were working their way through the round robins. The closest match had a 7-7 scoreline, followed by a tight final game which was just pipped by Candida Nicholls and Andrew Falk from Pam Tomalin and Michael Rowan. The other nail-biter was the match to decide who would win Group A – Lucy Davies and Peter Swiss, or Candida and Andrew again (they were obviously determined to get their money’s worth on court). From 7/4 to Lucy and Peter, the score crept up to 7/6. At 40/15 up, Lucy serving was defending a 2nd gallery chase – her cunning shot into Hazard Ist gallery won the point and the match.
Once all the round robins were played, the final stages were between the respective Winners, Runners-up and Losers of the two groups, playing a normal set. First up, Katy Weston and Tim Tomalin with Tim’s wife Pam on the other side of the net with Michael Rowan. All looked pretty equal up to 3 all, with Katy in particular doing very well to defend herself against the severe peppering coming her way. But at 4/3 to Pam and Michael, Tim began to look rattled and made some uncharacteristic errors, which were just enough to give the match to Pam and Michael, 6/4.
In the Runners-up decider, Candida and Andrew against Lucy Hutchinson and David Holmes. Big hitting from both Lucy and Candida, and this was a very entertaining match with great rests, which as often as not ended after seven or eight strokes with a shot to the grille or dedans. The best rest of the whole day came when Lucy and David were down – and apparently out – at 2/5. Five great ground strokes were fired straight at Lucy, and somehow she saved each one, to take the point and then the game. Given heart, they then went on to level the score 5 all, with Lucy and David at the service end. A great serve by David, a double fault by David – ooh ah, which way would it go? Two more gripping rests, a change of ends, and then a loose shot by Candida up on to the top of the tambour gave the victory to Lucy and David, 6/5.
The final match was between the two group Winners: Lucy Davies and Peter Swiss against Linda Fairbrother and David Gordon. (Sheila Mac takes over the commentary…)
This was a closely contested match. Lucy and Peter led 3-0, both playing well and won some good long rests, taking advantage of the lunch-break stiff muscles of David on the other side of the net. Once warmed-up, though, some excellent serving by him and Linda levelled the score to 3 all. Linda`s concentration was exceptionally good and they went ahead to 5-3. Lucy and Peter took the next game to make it 4-5 but were not able to match the consistency of Linda and David, who finally won 6/4. An excellent final.
Sheila adds: I would like to say a big thank you to Katy Weston for so ably sorting out the doubles handicaps for me and the match card. Something I could not have done.
Our thanks to Sheila Macintosh for organizing the event; to Lucy Davies and Pam Tomalin for delicious kedgeree and ham; to the other chefs; to the Gentlemen members without whom we wouldn’t be there at all; to Hardwick Club for letting us play. Cinderella gives special thanks to those who stepped in (literally) to generously donate shoes and clothes.
The day was kicked off with our only singles match - Katie Leppard against Mike Armstrong. Katie got off to a slow start and was soon 3-1 down. She then found her rhythm and fought back strongly to take the first set 6-3. In the second set Katie was serving strong railroads and Mike looked like he was tiring but he continued to reach for everything and seemed very determined. Katie maintained her steady game and continued to lead, taking the second set and the match 6-3, 6-4.
The first doubles match between the husband and wife Kent team and Sarah McGivern and Katy Weston was neck and neck for the first half, then Sarah and Katy pulled ahead to 7-4 helped by Sarah’s winning serves, some excellent volleying and strong teamwork. Julia and Peter took the next game, but Sarah and Katy stuck to their guns and took the match 8-5.
Geri Brooksbank on her first outing to Radley was wishing for her sunglasses as she was dazzled by the bright blue court, however this did not affect her tennis with both her and Sarah McGivern demonstrating strong play. Sarah showed her strength consistently returning many serves down the line to her opponent’s backhand. David Wildridge and Peter Kent started slowly but soon settled down and were at 3-3 and after that the ladies although continuing to play well, were outclassed and Peter and David won the match 8-3
Geri, now acclimatised to the bright court, played with Katy Weston against Julia Kent and David Wildridge. The LRTA ladies convincingly took the first game and in the second Katy served 2 aces, quickly winning the second game. The Radley team fought back and it was soon neck and neck at 4-4. David Wildridge, fairly new to the game, just got stronger and stronger and demonstrated strong volleying and the Radley pair stormed ahead to take the set 8-4.
The next match started at a very fast pace with the Radley gentlemen, Kristof Kunzmann and Nick Manby-Brown, rapidly taking the first two games. Rebecca Kashti and Linda Sheraton-Davis started to concentrate on more varied play, making good use of the corners, tambour and dedans. The rest of the match was very close and often had us on the edge of our seats with Kristof stretching for everything and the ladies playing shots of excellent length. The final game was a fight over every point but the determined ladies kept up the pressure and won the match 8-6.
In Candida Nicholls and Rebecca Kashti’s match the Radley men, Kristof Kunzmann and Tim Lancaster, matched them game for game until they were at 5-5, when the ladies started to play better placed shots and excelled as a team. They took the lead to 7-5, but were then out of time.
The final match saw Linda and Candida take a 2-0 lead, but Tim Lancaster and Nick Manby-Brown were returning the serves with good precision and the scores were soon level at 3-3. Linda and Candida decided to slow things down and play a softer game – a good tactic as they pulled ahead. The match was curtailed as they took the lead to 6-4 when the court time expired.
First match of the day was the top singles of Sarah Vigrass v Dom Wright. This was an excellent and entertaining match with Sarah winning points by producing a great variety of difficult serves and Dom by retrieving some of Sarah’s great drives into the corners. Dom’s retrieving was so spectacular that at one point Dom released his racket which flew out to hit the side wall above the penthouse, rebounded for Dom to catch it and still play the next shot which unfortunately went into the net! Sarah volleyed well throughout the match but in the end her good length faded and it was Dom’s consistency that helped him to a 6 – 3, 6 – 4 win.
The first doubles match of the day Caroline Janes and Jill Newby v Simon Mansfield and Michael Marcar. Caroline’s awesome volleys and Jill’s consistency kept them on top right from the beginning of the match, never really allowing Michael and Simon to get into their usual attacking play. Caroline and Jill won 6 - 2, 6 - 2.
In the next singles Freddie Adam looked very mobile and fit and was completely on top, hitting some super volleys to take the first set against Anthony Jenks 6 – 3. However, in the second set Anthony changed his serve which upset Freddie’s previously good rhythm and length. Anthony’s length improved and in addition he hit several shots into the dedans. Freddie sadly tired and her previous good length, super volleys and power went and Anthony ran out the winner, 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 4.
The next doubles with Penny and Tara Lumley v Nick Warner and Chris Wilson was another most entertaining match and was any one’s game. Nick and Chris won the first set 6 – 5 with some very attacking play and good retrieving. The lengthy rallies continued and in the second set the girls hit a better length on the Queens court to take it 6 - 1. So starting at 3 – 3 in the third Penny and Tara managed to maintain their good length and defended well the barrage of forces sent out by the boys with some awesome volleys to take the set 6 – 4 and bring the match to 2 all.
In the final doubles we saw Elvira Campione and Isabelle Duncan v Bomber Griffith-Jones and Michael Lingens. Here the girls kept to their plan of soft returns of serves and keeping the ball on the floor which resulted in the boys spending much of the time over hitting the ball. With some excellent volleys and shots to the base of the tambour Elvira and Isabelle ran out easy winners 6 – 2, 6 - 1.
Thanks to Simon Mansfield for all his good organising on behalf of the T&RA and to the T&RA for hosting the LRTA lunch.