The tennis served up a mixed bag for Leeds thirds, as the men won 12-0 while the women were unable to overcome their opponents, losing out 8-4 at the John Charles Centre for Sport.

Facing a Sunderland team who had beaten local neighbours Teesside last week, the men began with their singles matches, with captain Florian Mongoin leading the way.

Defeating his opponent 6-3 6-0 on sets, dominating throughout. His example lead to similar results for Boaz Goldwater, winning 6-3 6-3, while Nick Valatsos overcame tough opposition on court 2 in triumphant style, 6-1 6-2 the score.

The tie of the singles games came on court 3 though, where Sam Ovraum fought to hard hard-earned victory in a heated match.

Having secured a set, Ovraum stormed to a 4-1 lead in the second set. This was soon cut to 4-3, however, but the Leeds man held firm to complete a 6-3 6-3 win.

For the ladies, there was only one singles victory to celebrate, Rosie Clarke annihilating her York University opponent 6-1 6-2.

Meanwhile, Alison Gilmore, Nastassia Winge, and Izzy Jasper did not fare so well, the latter pairing also losing out in the doubles. Leeds will feel hard done by going down to opposition not far above them, but who had the cutting edge lacked by the Gryphons on the day.

The ladies other victory came from Alison Gilmore’s pairing with Rosie Clarke – for whom it was a good day, winning 6-0 6-4.

The men’s doubles followed in a similar vein to their singles victories, as Goldwater and Volatsos won 6-2 6-3, while Mongoin and Ouvram fought out a 7-5 second set to secure a straight sets victory.

Jamie Kirby

Image courtesy of GoGo Tennis