What had Trevor done to get us such fabulous weather! I think most players found the weather too hot. Some juniors played a lot of games on court but a special award goes to Gwen Greenwood. A marathon Vets Ladies Doubles under the mid-day sun followed by a Vets Mixed Doubles.

A big thank you to the umpires: Martin, Roy, Alan, Wendy, Wally and especially Becci and Rob. We need volunteers to make the day successful and a few more umpire virgins would be welcome.

Royston is more qualified to comment on the individual junior matches but I thought the standard just keeps getting better. I also really liked the mixing of the junior and senior matches. Watching the junior stroke play makes me think about going to Royston’s Monday 8pm adult coaching sessions (no charge). Personally, I thought the Junior Mixed Doubles on Saturday evening was the delight of the weekend. Cracking competitive tennis with fabulous ground-strokes and volleying.

Other highlights were Adam Paterson keeping a cool head to beat Kyle Macdonald 6-2 6-3 in the U21 Boys Singles. Kyle played some great tennis but Adam’s experience now makes him a dangerous match player. Hit a short ball and two shots later you’re dead.

Hannah Thomas, nursing a couple of injuries, gave Michelle a walkover in the U21 Girls so that she would be able to play her junior mixed with Simon Kay. That match against Sophie and Kyle was a cracker. The quality was superb and the 6-4 6-2 score doesn’t reflect the closeness of the rallies.

Sunday was the time for the Club Championship finals. Michelle Caldon started the day in the Ladies Singles with a deadly display of hitting a ball to length. In the first set Hannah Thomas was forced on the fence as Michelle hit almost every shot within a few inches of the baseline. Hannah fought gamely and is getting stronger each year. I look forward to some great tussles between these two. The 6-0 6-3 score line again hides the gutsy performance by Hannah but Michelle was just quality as usual.

The Mens Doubles saw Adam and Martin in brotherly harmony against father and son Peter and Jack McQuibban. An earlier break on Jack’s serve was followed by a break on Adam’s serve. Peter held but then the brothers started to pick off the winners. Peter and Jack found themselves on the defensive and Adam and Martin took the title 6-2 6-1.

The Ladies Doubles was shaping up to be a real test with the holders Kate Bennett and Hannah Thomas against previous holders Hannah Bardell and Michelle. The battle took them to 6-4 4-6 and into a final set. It looked all over as Michelle and Hannah took a 5-1 lead but Kate and Hannah broke, held and broke to take it to 5-4. But Kate’s service was then broken to bring an end to the battle.

The Mens Singles was a tough battle. With John Western missing from the tournament due to a work commitment in New York, Gary McDonald had a new opponent in Adam Paterson. Gary was carrying a bad back and Adam was as deaf as a post, but it did not prevent some great tennis. From the sidelines Gary’s serve looked to be affected by his back and Adam took advantage with an early break to go 4-2 up. Gary broke back to take it to 4-5 on his serve but was broken again to give Adam the set 6-4. Gary’s back had warmed up a bit in the 2nd set and he broke Adam twice to take the set 6-3. Both players dug in for the final set but Adam just had the edge. Some great battling rallies saw Adam through to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory. Gary threatened retirement as he left the court but I hope he enters again. His talent and grit would be sorely “no pun intended” missed!

For reasons not to be discussed (see pic below – Ed) I missed the Mixed Doubles final but it looks to have been a interesting match with Adam and Julie Birrell taking the first set tie-break. But it looks like Kevin Eley and Michelle tightened up their game making it difficult for Julie to hold serve. So Kevin and Michelle ran out winners at 6-7(5-7) 6-2 6-1.

The Sunday Finals trophies were presented to the champions and runners-up by our Club President, Mike Mower. There was also a trophy for Becci Frost (The Maulkin Cup) for the most improved young Senior player, presented to her by June Maulkin.

All in all, a great weekend’s tennis. My thanks to all who sorted out their matches even if some were a little late! Thanks to all the helpers: the ball boys/girls, umpires, tea ladies, washer uppers, bar staff, chair carriers, players. Every helper makes it all a bit easier for everyone.

Ken Thompson