HLTC JUNIOR & U21 WINTER FINALS REPORT

HLTC  was the venue of a fantastic afternoons tennis last Sunday as many turned out to support our youngsters in the clubs first ever Winter Finals Day.  The day also incorporated the U21 Finals and these matches were also great to watch as two of our young juniors were matched up against the very best players at the club.

A special thank you must go to Martin Paterson who umpired three of the four matches in pretty cold conditions for us and also Adam Paterson who also umpired a match even though he was due to play one later.

Thank you also to all of those senior members that turned up to watch and support the kids.  It is important for the kids to have family and friends around them to watch but it is also so important that they feel that they are appreciated by  the club that they have chosen to represent.  It was lovely for them to see that additional support there and this inclusive environment is vital to the current profile and long term future of our club.   So, without mentioning names I personally want you to know how much I appreciate you.

Thanks to you all.

Royston

Girls Singles Final.
Winner:  Hannah Thomas.  6-4, 6-4
Runner Up: Sophie Scanlon

Boys Singles Final.
Winner:  Kyle MacDonald.  4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Runner Up: Simon Kay

Girls U21 Singles Final.
Winner:  .  Michelle Caldon.  6-2, 7-5
Runner Up: Hannah Thomas

Boys U21 Singles Final.
Winner:  Adam Paterson.  6-0, 6-1
Runner Up: Kyle MacDonald

14th Mar, 2010: Winter Tournament Finals Day

A good crowd turned out to support our Winter Finals even though it was Mothers Day; oops!

Ladies Doubles (The Shirley Young Shield) Hannah Bardell & Michelle Caldon  bt  Kate Bennett & Hannah Thomas  6-1 6-2	Mixed Doubles (The Langridge Cup) Kevin Eley & Michelle Caldon  bt  Adam Paterson & Julie Birrell  7-5 6-1	Mens Doubles (The John Trigwell Cup) Adam & Martin Paterson  bt  Chris Frankis & Cameron Wiggins  6-2 6-4

Thanks to the tournament organisers (Ken Thompson and Brian Keech), to the umpires (Alan Young and Brian Keech), and to the ladies who supplied the refreshments, whipped into action by Linda Keech.

Shot of the Day: Adam Paterson’s retrieval of a full-blooded Kevin Eley smash that looped up skywards and landed on top of the net before dribbling over for a winner!

23rd Feb, 2010: HLTC Annual General Meeting
Mel Bennett chaired the meeting which started with a minute’s silence in memory of 2 Vice Presidents of the Club (Howard Allen and Bill Bailey) who died during the year.

Highlights

Subscriptions:

• Full membership held at £230; other categories at a %age of this fee
• Main changes: Early payment discount 10% (from 15%); Midweek membership 37.5% of full (from 25%); Visitor fee £5, Junior £2.50 (from £2.50/£1.50). These changes are as a result of comparison with other clubs in our area

Committee:

Jean Birch hands over the Club Secretary reins to Jane Reeve. Jean’s 18 years of being Club Secretary has been recognised by making her a Vice President (see pic). Also pictured are Captain (Trevor Paterson) and Vice Captain (Ken Thompson). Lee Andrews comes off committee and Wendy Edwards rejoins after a 2-year gap; otherwise no change - click here

Finances:
Annual profit was £9000, as measured by the increase in cash in bank

Finals Days 2010/2011:

Courts:

The courts are playing much better after Ken Thompson’s cleaning efforts. Club Captain Trevor Paterson estimates they should last another 2 years; they were last replaced in 2002.

Proposals from the floor:

Mar 2010: Wedding Bells

Congratulations to our Club President Mike Mower and his bride Pascaline who were married in a private ceremony on Monday 1st March at Benfleet.

I’m sorry there are no photos; you’ll just have to wait for the next edition of Hello or OK magazine who presumably have the exclusive rights.

Pascaline, what’s it like being the wife of a president?

13th Feb 2010: Valentines Dance at the Club

Gemma Hurry and Julie Lott organised a Valentines Dance at the Club on Saturday 13th February. Many thanks, girls and thanks also for making the fruity but potent 'Love Juice' cocktail which cascaded from a cool cocktail fountain

Music was provided by Troy, brother of our Club Coach Royston, and a fun time was had by the 40 or so people who came, a mixture of ages (you should have seen the oldies doing the Cha Cha Slide!).

Here are some pics.

Feb 2010: Two Left Feet
I have been told that our Mens Essex Vets League captain, Chris Frankis, arrived at a recent away match at Cranbrook Castle in Gidea Park. When he got his tennis shoes out of his bag, he discovered (you've guessed it) he'd brought 2 left shoes and no right shoes. Needless to say he played backhand but even then he kept running round in circles or veering off into the tramlines. Don't worry Chris, but from now you'll always be known as Chris 'Two Left Feet' Frankis.

On a Sunday afternoon in October with rather mixed weather, the Club held its Autumn Handicap finals. A good crowd turned out to give their support to the finalists. Unusually, none of the three finals went to three sets (back to the handicap drawing board, Ken). It was particularly nice to see three of our newer members winning trophies (Rob Buchanan, Jane Jacobs and Alan Sambridge). A special mention should go to Wally Greenwood for umpiring two of the three finals, including the Mixed which was played in a steady drizzle; any volunteers for umpire duties?

Congratulations to our Juniors for their impressive performance in the Leigh & Westcliff Junior Summer Leagues.

The Club entered five teams and four of them won their divisions with the other coming second only because another Hockley team came first in the same division.

The photo shows most of the victorious squad and their trophies. Unfortunately It was not possible to get the whole squad together for this issue, but you know who you are. Well done to all of you.

Watch out for Royston’s next Jolly News which I’m sure will give more coverage on this achievement.

Something Fishy at the Club
Jack and Val Birrell hosted their annual Fish Lunch on a sunny Sunday afternoon in October. Once again it was a sellout and 80 members and guests gorged themselves on the culinary delights from the seas and rivers, including fresh and smoked salmon, crab, prawns, mackerel, halibut, smoked trout, and hot fishy snacks. Oh, and don’t forget the good old jellied eels (Ken’s favourite). Thanks to Jack and Val and their helpers Julies B&L and Janice. This fish lunch just gets better and better!