Moonrakers Ladies Friendly Match vs Andover Ladies
Sunday 19 July
Moonrakers Ladies played their first all-ladies friendly match against Andover Ladies on Sunday 19 July at Five Rivers.
The match was played in an excellent spirit, with plenty of long rallies and closely contested games throughout. After some competitive pickleball, Moonrakers Ladies were delighted to secure the overall win.
Moonrakers Team:
Anika, Cathy, Caroline, Izzy, Hilary, Nicola, Sandra & Tina E
Following the match, both teams enjoyed tea and cakes together, providing a lovely opportunity to socialise after an enjoyable morning of pickleball.
Many thanks to everyone who helped organise the event and make it such a success.
Congratulations and well done to the whole team.
Away match v Swindon Sunday 26th July 2026
Match Report – Moonrakers vs Swindon Pickleball Club
We travelled to the Delta Tennis Centre in Swindon to take on Swindon Pickleball Club.
Swindon fielded a strong squad of 12 players, while we travelled with just 8. That meant two hours of continuous play in very warm conditions, making for a tough but enjoyable afternoon.
Our team produced some excellent pickleball, with plenty of long, entertaining rallies at the net, and came away with a well-deserved 20–12 victory.
Moonrakers Team:
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Arthur
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Faha
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Mike
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Sam
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Caroline
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Gill
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Tina E
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Tina Ew
A fantastic team performance—well played, everyone!
Friendly Match v Basingstoke at Five Rivers
Sunday 28th June 2026
Match Report – Moonrakers vs Basingstoke
Basingstoke travelled to Salisbury for the return fixture, and once again the match was played in a fantastic spirit. Both teams enjoyed an afternoon of excellent pickleball, featuring some long, exciting rallies and superb play at the net.
This time, it was Moonrakers who came away with the victory. Congratulations to everyone on a great team performance!
Moonrakers Team:
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Arthur
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Gary
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Mike
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Rob
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Anika
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Hilary
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Izzy
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Tina
The afternoon was rounded off perfectly with tea and cakes.
A big thank you to everyone who helped organise such an enjoyable event.
Mixed Doubles Competition Saturday 16th May 2026
Another successful competition
Congratulations to our medal winners and to everyone who attended our Mixed Doubles Draw Event.
it was a lovely afternoon, fun, fab pickleball and lots of smiley faces.
Main Competition
Winners: David & Caroline
R/Up: Steve & Tina S
Plate Competition
Winners: Richard & Philippa
R/Up: Des & Sheila
A big thank you to our organisers,
Gary, Val, Cathy & Mike
Team Spire & TeamSarum
Last Southwest League Matches
Moonrakers teams played their last Southwest league matches on Sunday 26th April at different venues.
Team Spire won 1 match and drew 2, resulting in them
staying in Division 4
Team Sarum won 2 matches and drew one resulting in them being promoted to Division 4 , amazing both teams in the same division for the start of next season in September.
Congratulations to everyone that played in the teams this season, they have come long way especially Sarum team who started in Division 7.
Thanks to the team captains and to our amazing supporters.
Mens Match 19th April 2026
A fantastic men’s match this morning, Moonrakers v All Stars, which were a mix of Moonrakers, Andover and Downton.
Some brilliant rallies and very close games, Moonrakers got the win today but well done everyone, it was very entertaining.
We would like to thank Hilary who stepped in at the last moment as we were one man short.
Thanks to the organisers and our supporters.
Team Moonrakers
Team All Stars
Easter Fun Competition
What a nice way to spend Good Friday with fun a Fun Pickleball Competition, well done to the winners, enjoy your Easter Eggs
Moonrakers Spire Team
Team Spire travelled to Eastleigh for their SW league matches in Div 4, they had mixed results, winning against King Alfred Aces, drawing against Swindon Hurricanes and losing to Comets, finishing 3rd and they will stay in Division 4, there were some very close games, well played, Gary, Nathan, Cathy & Claire.
Many Thanks to our supporters
Heading 1
Moonrakers Sarum Team
Our Moonrakers Sarum team travelled to Basingstoke to play in the 5th round of the Southwest League.
Andrew, Adam, Rob, Annie, Anika & Hilary, had a draw in the first match against New Forest Ponies 2-2, but they won both their other matches against Alverstock and West End Wizards 4-0, therefore finishing in top position to be promoted for the last round next month.
Well done team, great result 👏👏thanks to the supporters who suffered frostbite in a very cold venue 😖
Home Friendly Match v West Thytherley Sunday 8th March
Great friendly yesterday v West Tytherley, Moonrakers just took the win by a few points, good fun and laughter and very close games.
Mike introduced Yellow & Red Cards for any miss behaviour, very funny.
Thanks to Gill, Izzy & Mike for organising the match and the refreshments afterwards.
Also a big thank you to our supporters and our new time-keeper Steve.
Home Friendly v Tisbury on 22nd February
A wonderful friendly against Tisbury, great atmosphere, lots of fun and laughter.
Tisbury took the win this time, but very close games.
Thanks to Gill, Izzy and Mike for organising the event and providing refreshments afterwards.
Well Done Everyone
February 2026
Congratulations to our Medals Winners in February at the Basingstoke Competition
Andrew won the Men's Singles Competition.
Gary & Tina won the Gold Medal in the mixed doubles 3.5, 50+
Gary & Steve won Gold in the 3.5, 60+
Rob & Karen won Silver in the 3.5 - 4.0, 50+
Valentines Pickleball Festival 14th Feb 2026
What a great success, our first ever Festival and everyone loved it, there was a lovely friendly atmosphere and lots of pickleball.
This was a fund raising event to buy new equipment for the Leisure Centre, all raffle prizes were donated by members and a beautiful Hamper donated by Mandy F and we raised a fantastic £600, overall we raised a wonderful £1800, all thanks to our amazing volunteers, Sandra made the fab cakes, John made the Selfie board and target board, Matt supplied the sound equipment, Gill & Mike organising the decorations, Karen & Izzy manning the desk and Gary & Mike organising all the games, a BIG BIG THANK YOU TO EVERBODY, and lastly to all those that supported this event and made it the
success it was
Away Friendly v Dorset Pickleball Club
7th February 2026
24 of us travelled to Bournemouth for our first ever match against Dorset, everyone had lots of fun and epic rallies, playing the original scoring system rather then the Rally Plus threw us a bit as we dont use that system in our club, but everyone enjoyed themselves and looking for the re-match later in the year and hopefully get a home win.
Sunday 1st Feb 2026
Moonrakers Spire team travelled to Advantage Padel Club in Mudeford to play their next round of fixtures in the Southwest league.
They only played two matches as Swindon pulled out, a 2-2 draw against Comets and a lost of 1-3 to Winchester, all games were very close, not all the results are in yet and the team should remain in Division 4.
Well done, Gary, Faha, Karen & Claire.
Thanks to our supporters
Sunday 25th Jan 2026
Moonrakers Sarum take the court again in the next round of fixtures in the Southwest League.
Sarum were promoted to Division 5 and remain unbeaten in all the matches this season.
Well done Adam (Captain), Andy, Anika, Annie, Hilary & Rob
Excellent performance
Home Friendly v 1st New Forest at Five Rivers on 25th Jan 2026
Excellent first friendly of the year against our good friends from 1st New Forest Pickleball Club.
In a tremendously close match we worked out the average score difference in each game was 1.5 pts. Fortunately, Moonrakers were on the upper end of the difference and we came out on the top, 30-28.
Team Players
Arthur, Colin, Faha, Paul, Dawn, Izzy, Sharon & Yvonne.
Congratulations
Refreshments afterwards
Many thanks to our organsiers, Gary, Gill & Izzy.
3rd Round of the Southwest League Fixtures Sunday 4th Jan 2026 at David Lloyd Southampton.
Congratulations to our Moonrakers Sarum Team
who played in Division 7 and won all their matches to get promoted to Division 6 for the next round.
Andrew, Adam, Andy, Izzy Annie & Karen, all played very well in a very cold venue, lead by our amazing captain Andrew, who's encouragement and support helped them to a great result.
Wickham 4-0
1st New Forest 3-1
Andover 3-1
A big thank you to all our supporters
Moonrakers Spire Team
In the afternoon our Moonrakers Spire team played in Division 3 and had a tough time, Nathan, Faha, Cathy & Julie all battled hard and some of the games were very close, but sadly they lost all 3 matches against
Poole & Bournemouth
Dorset Pickleball B
Swindon Tornadoes.
We wish them all the very best in their next Round in
Division 4.
Monday Night Club Christmas Fun Tournament
Games were organised by 'Jumbled Doubles' and everyone played 7 games, scored points against their own name, which finished with the highest scoring man and lady.
Congratulations to our winners:
Mens's Winner - David
Ladies Winner- Lucinda
Thanks everyone for lovely fun evening.
Monday Club Night Christmas Party
A lovely evening with the club members at The Chapter House restaurant in Salisbury, celebrating another year of Pickleball.
Annie won the 'Most Improver Player of the Year'
Derek won 'Clubman of the Year'
Gill was thanked for all her hard work organising the Clothing and Merchandise this year.
John was thanked for all his hard work throughout the year.
Thanks to all members who make Monday nights a very sociable and fun atmosphere.
Christmas Fun Competition on Friday 12th Dec at Five Rivers
Great fun Christmas competition and end of year prize giving last Friday with mulled wine and a buffet.
Mixed drawn competition with two groups of 7 doubles teams, Elves & Fairies.
Congratulations to the Competition Winners & Trophy Winners
Elves – Hugh & Annie
Fairies – Faha & Belinda
Coaches Ladies Player of the Year : Mandy
Coaches Men's Player of the Year: Bernard
Ladies Club Player of the year: Annette
Men's Club Player of the year: Derek
Best Fancy Dress Winner: Sue J
Mandy presented a Christmas present to John, Val & Gary for all their hard work throughout the year.
A big thank you to Mike & Gill for organising the buffet and to John, Gary & Val for organising the competition.
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Mens Singles Competition Sunday 23rd Nov 2026
Our first Mens Singles Tournament played on Sunday 23rd November at Five Rivers.
We had 10 entries and the games were fantastic to watch with such long rallies.
Congratulations or our winners.
Club winner - Faha
Club r/up - Nathan
Plate winner - Steve
Plate r/up - Matt
Thank you to all our Supporters
Moonrakers on Tour
In November 26 of us travelled to Ashbury Manor Resort in Devon for a Pickleball weekend. Lots of fun and laughter the whole time, we had drills and skills, open pickleball and a competition on Sunday, joining us was Wickham Club, congratulations to Rob & Sarah who won Group One and Vincent & Hilary for winning Group Two, the team winners were Team Lobbers, well done everyone. We had a fun quiz on Saturday, and the proceeds were donated to ‘Children in Need’, lots of other activities were tried out over the weekend, Paddle, 10 Pin Bowling, Golf, Mini golf, Rifle shooting, spa and much more.To complete the weekend, we had a fun prize giving on Sunday evening and finished with Catherine & Paul singing a little Ditty about the weekend to ‘My Ding-a-ling’ which will be performed again at our little Christmas get together on the 12th of December. Thanks everyone, great company, great food & drink, and of course great Pickleball.
1st Round of the Southwest East League
at David Lloyd Southampton
Sunday 16th Nov 2025
Moonrakers Sarum our 2nd team playing their first matches in Division 6, the team draw all 3 matches 2-2 all, sadly our points different were not as good as the other Clubs and that resulted in us finishing 4th.
Our opponents were;
Haselmere Hotshots
The Pickle Paddlers
Alverstoke
Team Players:
Andrew & Adam
Annie & Anika
Well done, great play everyone
Also thanks to our Supporters
Our 1stTeam Moonrakers Spire
Team: Cathy, Karen, Nathan & Faha
They also play their first round matches in Division 2 playing against:
King Alfred Aces
West End Wizards
PKB
Sadly they lost all 3 matches but all the games were very close, great experience and a lot learn.
Well done team.
Away friendly match v Tisbury
Sunday 9th November
Great Match played in a fantastic atmosphere, with loads of fun and laughter, Moonrakers took the win 28-20, all games were very close.
Thanks to the organisers,
Well done Everyone
Team Moonrakers
Derek, George, Peter & Ray
Ann, Jan, Jane & Pam
Nadder Centre is a lovely venue, bright and airy,
good courts as well.
Well worth a visit.
Home made tea and cakes afterwards.
Away Friendly v Andover
Sunday 2nd November
Congratulations to Andover on a good win, very close games and great fun had by all.
Well done Team.
Rob, Hilary, Izzy, Philippa Yvonne, Colin, Ian & Adam.
Congratulations to the Winners of the King Alfred Cup Winchester.
Our team travelled to Winchester to play in the King Alffed Cup at the Winchester Sports College, which is a fabulous venue.
They won the Cup with 36 points a clear 12 between them and second placed team.
Their opponents were, Dorset, Sherbourne & Winchester.
Great Achievement
Well Done
Playing Partners: Andrew & Mike, Karen & Rob, Gary & Faha, David & Cathy
Team Supported by: Pam, John, Val & Gill
Fun Halloween Competition
Winners: Bernard, Des, Annie, Rosemary, Gill, Mandy, Andy & Dinah
Well done everyone, what a fantastic morning of Pickleball
Overall Winner: PICKLEBALL
Internal Gender Doubles Comp
Saturday 11th Oct 2025
Congratulation to our Medal Winners
Men's Cup - Winners - Rob & Iain
R/up - Faha & John Drew
Ladies Cup - Winners - Hilary & Belinda
R/up - Jane C & Jane B
Men's Plate - Winners - Dave P & John C
R/up - Bernard & David B
Ladies Plate - Winners - Annette & Anne
R/up - Debbie & Virginia
Our Medallists
Presented by our most Senior Member Derek
Many thanks to our Volunters who helped make this a very successful competition
All the Players
Friendly Match v West Tytherley
14th Sept 2025 at Fiver Rivers
Heading 2
Moonrakers
West Tytherley
What some great rallies in this match, nearly all games were won by just a couple of points, the standard is improving all the time and everyone had a fun time.
West Tytherley won the match 32-14, but the score does reflect the very close games, well done all.
Tea/cakes and a chat afterwards
Overall Winner : PICKLEBALL
Moonrakers v Hart Flyers
We travelled to Basingstoke on Sunday 13th July for a friendly match against Hart Flyers, an indoor tennis venue, but strangely enough only pickleball being played, no tennis!
We won 30-16, everyone had fun and there was lots of close games, all played in a wonderful spirit, as always the main winner is Pickleball.
Everyone looking good in their club shirts.
Thanks to Gary for organising the matches and to Jane & Izzy for cakes.
Introduction to Pickleball Course
t's seems a long time ago ( in fact it was a long time ago ) that Rob and I started our 6 week Pickleball Introduction Course to 16 willing victims. Rob and I had not long completed our Team Leader course and wanted to put it into action. The sixteen had various sporting pasts, mainly tennis but a few had no racket sport experience at all so we had differing challenges to try and get these 16 knowing the rules and hopefully being able to play all the shots in 6 hours. At the end we were happy with our efforts....but then came the bonus, we could have another 6 weeks.. and then 6 more etc so we were able to do more advanced shots , techniques, court positioning etc and on the last night a competition. Some are now going to Festivals and meeting up for games at various leisure centres and village halls. It's been a fantastic experience for Rob and myself and I admit to feeling proud watching them play " proper " Picklebal
Rounders Summer Bash
Heading 6
What a Lovely day, Rounders, pic-nic on the patio, Fun Quiz and 80's music to finish the evening.
We would all like to thank Annette and Yvonne for organising this event. Mike for the music and John for reading the quiz.
Gold Medal Winners
Many Congratulations to Andrew & Tina for winning the 18+ 3.0 section on
Sunday 29th June at Basingstoke,
well deserved and the first of many I am sure,
Rounders Summer Bash
Heading 6
What a lovely day, Rounders, pic-nic on the patio, fun quiz and 80's music to finish the evening.
We would all like to thank Annette and Yvonne for organising this event. Mike for the music and John for reading the quiz.
Friendly Match with Swindon
Home Friendly match v Swindon 8th June 2025
Swindon arrived with a stronger team than we expected and although we only won 5 of the 24 games, we had some very close games that we lost by just a couple of points, also some of our team have never played in a match before so everyone preformed brilliantly. The match was played in a good spirit and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Star player for Moonrakers was Melody, she won 4 out of her 6 games, well done.
Congratulation to Swindon for the win.
We supplied refreshments afterwards and took team photos.
Team Players: Ken, Vicent, John Drew & Dan, Melody, Pat, Gill & Carolyn.
Many thanks to John, Gary, Val & Derek for organising.
Team Photo
Match Report for the last South West Pilot League Matches
Sunday 25th May 2025
Team Players:
Nathan & Cath
Faha & Julie
Hi everyone,
Well we finished in division 3 after a hard fought afternoons pickle. Won two dream breaker matches against Gosport (21-14) and last match against Comets (21-15). Beat Basingstoke Bulls 3-1. I have to thank everyone who played in the team the last five months and all our great supporters. It’s been a great achievement for Moonrakers. Here’s to next session (September) and hopefully more teams representing moonrakers.
Well done everyone 👏👏🤗.
Moonrakers Doubles Pickleball Tournament May 2025
Main Competition
Gold Medal Faha & Mandy
Gold Medal Vincent & Catherine
Silver Medal Ken & Lorna
Plate Competition
Silver Medal Gill & Del
Bronze Medal Steve & Kelle
Bronze Medal Paul & Tracy
Other photos from the day
What a great day, 16 doubles, partners drawn the day before, nobody knew who they were partnering, but the groups were so well matched, very close games throughout the day.A big thank you to Gary, John and Mike for running the competition on the day, and to John for making the Selfie Board, that was great fun.Thanks to all the players who made the day so enjoyable, what a lovely community we have.
Pictures from the first SW League matches
Friendly match against Andover
