hallamgrange.org.uk

Dom Jessop · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

I've always been a big fan of stats and facts. I want to use this section to see what interesting info I can find about Hallam Grange.

The piece written by Rick about the club champions on the website was very interesting and the record of Chris Gilmour in the singles is as good a stat as any. But hopefully there are others to find too.

Can't think of many new questions at the moment so I'll just ask two, but all least there is now a place to come and ask them!

1. Who are the longest serving male and female player still playing competitive tennis for Hallam Grange and how many years have they played for us in the leagues?

For the men my guesses would be Dave Gee, Ian Folger or Mick Burke. (although I've a feeling Mike Chadwick may have been comfortably ahead when he was playing a couple of years ago - I may be wrong!)

For the women maybe Joan Wilkinson.

2. Has any player won an event in all three Hallam Grange main section tournaments (Tennis, Table Tennis, Bowls)?

I suspect not, but I think there are quite a few that may have 2 of the three. I know Wilf Jessop's not getting any younger so he may add a bowls title to his others pretty soon (if anyone ever stops him at tennis!)

3. Not so much a question as a fact of my own, to see if anyone has anything similar. In my first ever Hallam Grange match I was playing for the juniors and lost my three rubbers all 10-0. In my first senior match I lost my three rubbers all 6-0, 6-0. My partner that day was Chris Bagnall, who I played against when I won the club singles final in 2005 and have played with in winning three doubles finals. Not exactly rags to riches, but testament to our enthusiasm and determination in the face of limited ability!

If anybody knows any answers to my queries or wants to throw a name into the hat then please do. Or if you have any questions or interesting stats of your own get writing.

Dom Jessop · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

Using players who have played at the club since I have been a member, I have put together what I believe is the tallest possible Hallam Grange team.

Peter Phillips: 6ft 6
Tim Barker: 6ft 6
Martin Hetherington: 6ft 5
Andrew Mannion: 6ft 5
Dom Jessop: 6ft 4
David Harte: 6ft 4

Average height: 6ft 5

With the exception of Martin all the other players were around at the same time as well. Unfortunately we generally had to play with 5ft 9 'Big' Wilf Jessop which may have hampered any potential tallest team records.

Anyone I've missed?

fabioc · Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 11

How about stats on the internationality of the Hallam Grange LTC? How many different nationalities have played at HG over the years?

Let's see.. . Rolling Eyes

- Italian (me...)
- German (oooohh, so many!)
- French (Agathe)
- Egyptian (Ali)

Anyone else? I can't think of anyone else as far as my knowledge goes...

Dom Jessop · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

A couple of entries for your international team:

One or two may be a bit before your time:

Spanish - Marcos Fernandez (the best player I've seen at Hallam Grange - about 10 years ago)

American - Tom Warke (also about 10 years ago)

Australian - Lindy Spindler (she'd be offended you've forgotten her already!)

Possibly Chinese? - Peng (I'm guessing now!)

Dom Jessop · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

I wonder when was the last time - if ever - we have won S&D Division 1 Mens, Ladies or Mixed.

I think we pushed for the mixed title about 10 - 12 years ago, can't remember if we won it.

Maybe we've never won mens or ladies, please correct me if anyone knows?

I hope we have already, because we don't look like ending the mens drought any time soon. - It's hard to win Division 1 when you're playing in Division 2 Sad

At least the ladies can have a go next year. How about following up Div 2 victory with Div 1 victory next year, you never know! Very Happy

Dom Jessop · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

Has anyone at the club ever served a game of all aces or all double faults?

Ive made 3 out of 4 aces but never all 4.

I'm ashamed to say I have once served a game of 4 straight double faults in a competitive match. It was windy, but there are no excuses! Embarassed

Also, has anyone ever won every point in a set, or lost every point?

Me and Emily played a league match last year where we won the first 15 of the 24 points needed. But actually still managed to lose the set from that point! We're a very consistent pair. Smile

fabioc · Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 11

Lindy? Damn, I always thought she was a Yorkshire lass with a strong aussie accent! Shocked

Chris Bagnall · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

How about the youngest average age of a senior team (or even oldest!)

The youngest I can think of was the Mens 1st team at Welbeck a couple of years ago which included:

Chris Bagnall
Dom Jessop
Ben Jessop
Andrew Mannion
Peter Phillips
Alex Lomas

Average age of 25.8 years according to my calculations (i wont embarass the older members by putting down their ages). Young Wilf was missing that day which resulted in a slight decrease in the average - and with the exception of Alex the team is pretty similar today (all a bit older though).

Anyone else? (Dom you've been quiet of late - where has old statto gone?).