Marks Park Tennis Club

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And it’s a wrap - the 2026 Mixed League is over!

Thank you to all our players for your dedication and fine efforts. You were AWESOME, BRILLIANT, and DYNAMIC, and, of course, FASHIONABLE! A particular thanks to the captains for their entertaining write-ups and photographs each week. Thank you, too, to Lisa and Joburg Tennis for organising a great league and to the opponents we met along the way.

Marks Park A vs Randburg A – The Grand Finale!

The final match of the league had all the ingredients of a blockbuster: drama, heartbreak, heroic moments, questionable scorelines, and, most importantly, excellent food. Things got off to a rough start in the singles, with our Awesome As suffering four losses despite everyone battling hard and leaving everything on the court. The scoreboard wasn't looking particularly friendly, but as any seasoned tennis player knows, hope springs eternal when the doubles begin.

Lloyd and Rishay flew the Marks Park flag proudly, putting together a strong performance to claim an 8-5 victory and remind everyone that we hadn't come just for the snacks. The ladies then found themselves in a tough battle, eventually going down 9-4 after some hard-fought tennis. Meanwhile, Lloyd and Sarah produced one of the matches of the day in an epic mixed doubles contest. There were great rallies, momentum swings, and enough tension to keep spectators on the edge of their seats before Randburg edged it 9-4.

Then came the performance that nobody saw coming. Lisa and Rishay were so intimidating, so dominant, and possibly so eager to get to the refreshments, that their opponents seemingly disappeared altogether. The result? A spectacular 13-0 victory. Rumours that the opposition entered witness protection remain unconfirmed.

While the day delivered plenty of ups and downs, laughs and frustrations, and more than a few "if only" moments, the team fought hard right until the final point of the league season.

Marks Park B Finish Season in Style Against Bryanston Sports Club B

The final scoreline read 62–42 in favour of the Marks Park Brilliant Bs against the Bryanston Sports Club Brilliant Bs, resplendent as always in their beautiful blue colours. And yes, for those doing the maths, the total does indeed add up to 104 games! The captain finally managed to get the arithmetic right after several less-than-successful attempts throughout the season.

Marks Park made the perfect start by winning all four singles matches, giving the team every reason to believe the doubles would be a more relaxed affair. That, however, was not quite the case for Marko and Alec, whose error-strewn encounter became a rollercoaster that eventually went to a tiebreak. In familiar fashion, the pair let a 5–2 advantage slip before narrowly losing the breaker and the match 7–6 to Bryanston. Fortunately, the ever-composed Jocelyn and Tracey restored order with an emphatic doubles victory, ensuring that Marks Park maintained a healthy advantage on the scoreboard.

The mixed doubles proved to be highly competitive, with both contests going right down to the wire and providing plenty of excitement for players and spectators alike. (Thanks, Antony!) In the end, Marks Park secured the overall victory in their final fixture of the season. Whether it will be enough to claim the league title remains to be seen, but the team can reflect on an excellent campaign, finishing with just one loss in the opening match of the season.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our friends from Bryanston Sports Club. It was wonderful catching up, reminiscing about the good old days, and continuing a rivalry and friendship that has spanned more than 50 years. As always, the matches were played in the true spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. And finally, thank you to the Marks Park ladies for the delicious eats that rounded off a memorable afternoon.

Until next year!

Marks Park D vs Bryanston Sports Club D

Our Dynamic D team played some dynamite tennis against their counterparts from Bryanston Sports Club. Ntsako ended the league on a high, improving his doubles play incrementally each time he took to the court, whilst Rosanda and Erica produced consistently excellent results. Marks Park took a convincing 54-24 victory without dropping a single set. One knows that we are aging when we play against youngsters like Wesley Faver, son of past members Wayne and Yolande, who is 15 years old – the age we remember his parents when they were growing up at Marks Park! Lovely tennis, delicious eats, and enjoyable conversation were a great way to end the season.

We await the final results, but in the meantime, it’s back to social tennis every Saturday afternoon with the prospect of our annual LADIES DOUBLES TOURNAMENT and WIMBLEDON AT MARKS PARK to look forward to on 28 June and 4 July, respectively.

Happy playing!

Lynda

Wimbledon at Marks Park... join us for an afternoon of 'doubles with a twist'!

Don't miss this ever-popular event - an opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy great tennis delicious food!
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Marks Park A vs Rivonia A – The Great Escape!

If Hollywood ever needs a script for a sports movie, they can stop looking. Marks Park A delivered enough drama, suspense, heartbreak, and triumph to keep everyone on the edge of their seats!

The outing started with four brutally tough singles matches. Sarah was clearly not interested in following the script. She battled her way to a heroic 7-6 victory, while Uys gave everyone several mini heart attacks by holding multiple match points in his tiebreak, only to somehow lose 7-6. Lloyd and Lisa both fought hard but went down 8-5 in competitive encounters.

After the singles, the scoreboard wasn't looking particularly friendly: Rivonia led 29-23. Some teams might have panicked. Some teams might have started calculating how quickly they could get to the bar. Not our Awesome As! This was the moment they pulled up their socks, adjusted their collars, and unleashed the full power of the matching blue shirts. Coincidence? We think not.

The men's doubles produced another nail-biting 7-6 victory, while the ladies decided subtlety was overrated and stormed to a dominant 9-4 win. Suddenly, the impossible became possible, and the tie was locked at 39-39 heading into the mixed doubles. With everything on the line, Lloyd and Sarah held their nerve brilliantly, securing an 8-5 win and finishing before the other mixed match. This left all eyes on Uys and Lisa, who found themselves trailing 7-5 with Rivonia's male player serving for the tie. The champagne was practically on ice for Rivonia. But nobody told Lisa and Uys. They dug deep, produced some outstanding tennis, and broke serve when it mattered most. Although they eventually lost the match 7-6, that crucial break was enough to swing the overall result in our favour: 53-51!

From six points down after singles to a two-point victory at the finish line, it was a comeback for the ages. The tennis was fantastic, the drama was unmatched, and perhaps most importantly, the post-match drinks and food were every bit as impressive as the comeback itself. A memorable victory, powered by determination, teamwork, and what can only be described as elite-level blue-shirt technology.

Marks Park B vs Rivonia B

One of the great pleasures of playing in the Joburg Mixed League is the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and familiar rivals. That was certainly the case on Saturday when Marks Park B took on our old frenemies from Rivonia. Marks Park and Rivonia have been crossing racquets for at least 67 years, making this one of the league's longest-standing and most enjoyable rivalries.

Our team received a welcome boost with the arrival of Karin, promoted from the incredibly fashion-conscious C Team. She immediately raised the bar for tennis attire, forcing the rest of the Brilliant Bs to rummage through cupboards and drawers in a desperate attempt to meet the near-perfect sartorial standards expected of C Team graduates.

The weather was absolutely divine. The tennis, perhaps not always so much. As is often the case in encounters between these two clubs, the matches were fiercely contested. Alec and Matthew once again produced a classic battle, inevitably finding themselves in a tie-break. Both later agreed that next time they might skip the formalities and head straight to the tie break.

Rivonia's Brett was heard grumbling, "Where did you find this guy?" after experiencing the ferociously heavy-hitting of Rishay. It's a question many seasoned Marks Park guys have asked over the years while standing helplessly at the opposite end of the court. The combination of youthful energy and banker-like efficiency from Rishay, together with the ladies, ensured that Marks Park maintained the upper hand throughout the day.

The men's results told a different story. Alec and Rishay were on the receiving end of a determined performance from a revenge-inspired Matthew and Brett, who could do no wrong. Fortunately, Karin and Jocelyn once again delivered the goods, ensuring we carried a comfortable eight-point advantage into the mixed doubles.

The mixed matches provided plenty of drama. Mr Bailey was in inspired form and, together with Jackie, produced some superb tennis to defeat the usually formidable pairing of Karin and Alec. Thankfully, Jocelyn and Rishay stepped up when it mattered, securing the points needed to clinch the overall victory of 59-48 for Marks Park.

As a blue moon rose overhead, the day concluded in the finest league tradition: prego rolls, chips, refreshments, and excellent company—our thanks to Rivonia for another memorable encounter. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

In a final postscript, Matthew was apparently so inspired by his performance against Marks Park that, just two days later, he challenged the club champion to a match. The tennis world now waits in anticipation for the result.

Marks Park C vs Joburg Country Club B

Our Crackerjack Cs endured a tough afternoon in their last fixture of the season against CCJ B, ultimately falling short by 10 points in what was a far closer contest than the final margin may suggest. It was one of those days where so many games could have gone either way, and the result seemed to hinge on winning the right point at the right time. While the overall result did not go our way, the team remained competitive throughout and kept the pressure on until the closing stages.

Our team was particularly competitive in the doubles matches and did well to claw back some of the point shortfall as play progressed. That late rally gave the scoreline a more accurate reflection of how evenly contested the match really was, but it was not quite enough to turn the tide. As always, the afternoon was about more than just the scoreboard. While enjoying the after-match pizzas, lively debate centred on match etiquette and how the game has changed over the years — a reminder that tennis remains as much about behaviour, attitude and sportsmanship as it is about winning. Special thanks to the Fashionable Fanistas (Marko, Carryn, Yolande, Karin, and Louis) for an enjoyable season and for their commitment on many Saturdays. The banter throughout the season, and even the use of AI to decide a weekend dress code, certainly added to the entertainment and made the experience all the more memorable.

Marks Park D vs Pirates B.

The Dynamic D team played Pirates B on Saturday. Although the opposition’s amazing drop shots proved difficult for the young and fast Danellus/Abri team, Erica and Rosanda played a fantastic match, winning 12-1 and giving Marks Park a 6-point lead going into the mixed rounds. The rest of the tie was tightly contested, leaving us one game down with all eyes on Abri and Rosanda as they finished their last match. They did us proud, and Marks Park squeaked through with a two-point victory: 40-38. All enjoyed a great afternoon of tennis and camaraderie.

The league concludes on Saturday with our A and B teams at home to Randburg A and Bryanston Sports Club B respectively. The C team has a bye and the D team will play Bryanston Sports Club D away.

Happy playing!
Lynda

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Marks Park A vs Randburg B proved to be a proper nail biter! If anyone was looking for a calm, stress-free Saturday afternoon… this was not the match for you. Our Awesome As took on the opposition in a tie that had more twists than a badly strung racket! Louis and Lloyd came out firing in the singles, cruising to two convincing victories and giving Marks Park the perfect start. Meanwhile, Lisa and Sarah were introduced to Randburg’s ‘next generation’ ladies who have discovered youth, fitness, and the ability to return absolutely everything. After the singles, our team found themselves just one game behind, but spirits were high heading into the doubles. Lloyd and Louis once again produced some top-class tennis and grabbed a massive score for the team. Sarah and Lisa fought hard in their doubles, narrowly losing by a single break – the kind of result that has you replaying every missed volley in the car ride home. That left us two games ahead going into the mixed doubles… and the tension could’ve been cut with a butter knife. Luckily, the mixed is usually our happy place, and this time was no different. Both pairs held their nerve brilliantly, taking both matches and sealing a fantastic 56–48 victory for Marks Park. Great tennis, great vibes, plenty of nerves, and most importantly… delicious treats afterwards. At the end of the day, that’s what club tennis is really about!

On what can only be described as a suspiciously perfect winter’s day, the aptly named ‘Brilliant B Team’ of Marks Park hosted the youthful whirlwind known as Northern Suburbs A. The matchup itself resembled less of a tennis fixture and more of a historical re-enactment: Marks Park B fielding enough combined experience to remember wooden racquets, while Northern Suburbs arrived with functioning knees and lightning-fast reflexes. First onto the battlefield was Rishay, who found himself engaged in what witnesses described as ‘a cardio-based hostage situation’ against the exceptionally quick Andrew Chigaazira. Rishay eventually succumbed 8–5. Meanwhile, Alec bravely stood in front of young Christopher’s serve, which has since been classified as a low-flying missile by local aviation authorities. Somehow surviving the blitzkrieg intact, Alec managed to keep things respectable with a narrow 7–6 loss – a moral victory if ever there was one. Then came the reliable cavalry: Jocelyn and Tracy. Redeeming themselves magnificently from last week’s adventures in point donation, the duo shifted the momentum firmly back toward Marks Park. Their tactical brilliance, combined with years of accumulated wisdom and selective hearing, substantially boosted the scoreboard. The seasoned ladies’ combination calmly added a commanding 9–4 victory to the Marks Park tally, proving once again that experience beats enthusiasm – especially when accompanied by accurate lobs and ruthless net play. The men’s doubles, however, began at a pace best described as ‘diesel engine in winter,’ eventually grinding their way to a tight 6–7 result. Rishay and Jocelyn faced the formidable pairing of Tayle and the ever-dominant Andrew. Despite valiant efforts, youth, speed, and functioning hamstrings prevailed. But the old guard was not done yet. Tracy and Alec stepped onto court and delivered a masterclass in crafty tennis, tactical placement, and strategic preservation of energy. Their inexperienced opponents were expertly dismantled 11–2 in a performance that can only be described as ‘vintage Marks Park’ - part tennis, part psychological warfare. Special mention must go to the players, coaches, and parents of Northern Suburbs, who have clearly produced an exceptionally polite, sportsmanlike, and well-mannered group of youngsters. It was an absolute pleasure for Marks Park to compete against such respectful opponents – even if some of them move around the court like caffeinated squirrels. Finally, after numerous score recalculations, crossed-out arithmetic, several consultations with independent auditors, and one lengthy investigation by the rusty captain, we can officially confirm a victorious final score for Marks Park B of 47-31 – a triumph for experience, guile, and post-match recovery stretches.

Marks Park C went down 64-40 to a very consistent and hard-hitting Bryanston Sports Club B side, despite a spirited effort and several closely contested matches. Marko led the way for our team’s only two wins of the day. The remaining matches were competitive but ultimately resulted in narrow losses that added up in Bryanston’s favour. The fixture was played in good weather and in an excellent spirit, with respectful sportsmanship shown by both teams throughout. A special word of thanks goes to Mine for helping out – her four emphatic smashes in the final game of the day were a memorable highlight and helped our Crackerjack Cs to finish on a high note. On another note, this team should have been the F team – F for Fashionable Fanistas! One just has to be part of the group discussion each week regarding colour schemes to be aware of how seriously they take their image!

The Dynamic D team played against Boskruin C at home. After the doubles, the match was fairly close with just four points difference. However, Boskruin had the edge and won all four mixed matches, taking the tie 50-28. This, despite a great effort by Ntsako and Rosanda in their final match. At least the eats were warm and ready by the time they were done! Our lefty Abri commented on their lefty's serve, which flummoxed most of us and resulted in some interesting 'freshies'! It was a thoroughly enjoyable match played under thankfully cloudy skies.

The A team will play Rivonia A away on Saturday. The B, C and D teams enter the play-off phase of their respective sections, and we await final confirmation of their opponents and where they will play. Good luck to all and happy playing!

Lynda

Although our teams produced mixed results last Saturday, the common thread emerging from all the fixtures was one of fun, great sportsmanship and effort by our players and their opposition alike and wonderful eats and drinks at the end of each match. It was great to reconnect with old friends and the pizzas that were served definitely got the nod of approval!

The Awesome As produced wildly extreme scores with the Marks Park men dominating the Bryanston Sports guys, achieving great scores (two tens and an eleven) while the BSC ladies proved too strong for our ladies and dominated the score line. BSC was up by four games heading into the mixed. Uys and Sarah proved to be too strong at number 2 and claimed a great 9-4 win. Lisa and Louis battled it out on court one but unfortunately went down 7-6 in a closely fought match. The final score was 53-51 to BSC. With such a close result, there were many regrets of opportunities missed during the afternoon. However, it was a lovely afternoon of good tennis with old friends with everyone trying their best at all times.

The Brilliant Bs accessed CCJ Woodmead without having to navigate any hedgehogs on the club road. In fact, Joc mentioned she has yet to see a hedgehog! Starting with the doubles due to court availability, they we ended the first round 12 games behind. After having a long break where we have not played with WILSON US Open balls, our team needed to get used to the balls supplied for the tie, with warm weather adding to the “fizz” of the balls. Antony approached his singles match with the aim of keeping points short but ended up having the longest of the singles matches – nothing new there! We still ended up 12 games behind at the end, going down 58-46.

The Crackerjack Cs delivered a strong, spirited performance against Rivonia B, securing a convincing 61-43 victory. Our team set the tone early by taking a solid lead in the singles matches, before moving into a series of tightly contested men’s and ladies’ doubles, where results were more evenly split. However, Marks Park truly stamped our authority in the mixed doubles, winning by comfortable margins to seal the overall result. They turned out proudly in their red and white kit—no doubt a statement of intent given the history against Rivonia—with pride clearly at stake as much as the match itself.

The Dynamic Ds had an enjoyable time at Bryanston Country Club. As Miné put it - a bad tennis day is still much better than any working day! It took time to get used to the slow blue and grey courts and so we were behind after the men’s and ladies’ doubles, but turned it around in the mixed. Dan and Erica were down 2-5 in the last mixed when Dan announced he needed to pull his finger from somewhere and that certainly worked since they won every game thereafter with clinical procedure. Another dynamic, delightful and delicious day!

Three of our teams will play at home on Saturday, 23 May – the A team against Randburg B, the B team against Northern Suburbs A and the D team against Boskruin C. The C team will travel to Bryanston Sports Club to play their B team. Good luck to all.

Happy playing!

Lynda