News

The Two Generation family doubles tournament is now in its 27^th Year and we had a full compliment with 16 pairs battling it out on Tuesday 27^th and Wednesday 28^th December to decide who would take the honours this year.  Players ranged in handicap from 6-75 and with ages from 11 to something over 80!

 The group stages were incredibly close this year with numerous matches going the distance (6/5) and all players putting on some very good tennis. The biggest difference in handicap (39) was when the Braham’s played the Maxton’s and the handicap was rec 30, owe 15, 1 serve, banned tambour and chases 3 and 4 (plus a couple of other things) and somehow the Braham’s came through that match 6/1.

 As we got to the latter stages of the tournament we ended up with two Bevan-Thomas’s and two Wood’s in the Semi-Finals and it looked like it could be a one family final but as it turned out we had one of each!  T & J Bevan-Thomas  sneaked through against M & T Wood on a 5 all forty all!  They then played a great final to beat M & S Wood by 8 games to 5 and finally win the Bevan-Thomas trophy which up until now had eluded B-T’s.  A huge thank you to David and Caroline Fortune who were at the club throughout and once again cooked some outstanding lunches which were enjoyed by all.  We look forward to another great tournament next year!

 

Last year’s final had been slightly delayed but Adam Dolman and defending Champion Luke Danby took to the court on Saturday for what turned out to be one of the most entertaining finals we have had in recent years.  Adam started the match very well striking the ball with real venom and he took the first set 6/3.  He also started the second set strongly but Luke played his way into the set and got himself to a 5/3 lead.  Adam creeped back to 4/5 but could not quite get to 5/5 and Luke took it 6/4.  With both players having to work hard it looked like it could go either way and with Luke getting himself up in a lot of the games he could have been 3/1 up but Adam fought hard for every point and he managed to get himself a 3/1 lead.  We ended up at 4 games all and Adam played a couple of very good points to edge Luke out and with that take his first ever win against Luke and his third Andy Dawson A Grade title. 

The dedan was nearly full for the match so thank you to those members that attended such a wonderful game and thanks to Andrew Page for presenting the prizes. Adam Dolman Beat Luke Danby 6/3 4/6 6/4.

Last weekend saw some of the clubs strongest players competing in the Club level doubles.  The top seeded pair of Angus Williams & Adam Dolman got through to the final untroubled and the second seeds Andrew Page & James Acheson-Gray had an extremely tight first set in their semi-final against Mark Drysdale & Steve Calder-Smith but after being 5/3 down  they produced some fine tennis to win it 6/5 and then took hold of the match to come through 6/1 in the second.

With a packed dedans the final looked like it would be another close match but Angus and Adam were just too solid for the more experienced pairing of James & Andrew.  They won the first set 6/0, but at 2/1 in the second set Andrew & James looked like they were starting to find their form but Adam & Angus raised their level again to close the match out for a 6/0 6/2 victory.  Congratulations to Adam & Angus on a very successful tournament and thank you very much to Brian Rich and Brian Ellis for supporting the event and presenting the trophies. Thank you also to the PHTC members that came along to support the latter stages of the tournament and to players competing in what was another great tournament.

 Results

10.15 – Semi-Final – Adam Dolman & Angus Williams (1) bt Nick Harris & Bill Chambers 6/0 6/1

11.45 – Semi-Final – Andrew Page & James Acheson-Gray (2) bt Mark Drysdale 6/5 6/1

14.00 – Final – Adam Dolman & Angus Williams (1) bt Andrew Page & James Acheson-Gray (2) 6/0 6/2

We are delighted to announce that Louis Gordon has been awarded the Henry Johns award which is given to the best young Professional under the age of 29.

The decision was made by the T & RA Tennis Committee to award Louis for his achievements both on and off court, including obtaining a merit on his CPD level 1.

This award is thoroughly deserved and I am sure that you will join me in congratulating Louis when you are next in at the club.