BLTC Club Championships 2017 Finals Weekend Report
(Written by Greg Read)
‘Sun Shines on new Champions and a Triple Winner’
A jam packed weekend of BLTC Club Championship Finals was played on the BLTC courts over the weekend of 23rd and 24th September. The weekend really did have everything; new Champions were crowned, a triple winner, marathon matches, to name a few highlights. There were so many fantastic moments from the weekend so I’ll do my best to include them all in this report.
Let’s start with Saturday morning, which saw a total of 5 finals being played….
On Court 6, there was the Girls U14’s Final between Rosie Runnicles and Mila Deist. Both girls demonstrated the full range of accurate shots, including some fantastic lobs, aggressive return of serves and the ability to maintain deep rallies. The first game alone lasted nearly 10 minutes and showed how well matched the two competitors were. There were some excellent points and Mila was able to win those decisive points and take the first set 6-1. Mila then started to dominate the match and went 5-1 up in the second set, however Rosie showed fantastic determination to come back to 5-3 before Mila was able to close the match out winning 6-1, 6-3 in 58 minutes. Both sets of parents were “very impressed” by the standard of play, with Umpire Margaret Catlow reporting the match was played in very good spirit and both girls came off court with big smiles.
Court 7 saw young new Club Coach, Ben Nicholson take on new member Alastair Barber in the Men’s Singles Consolation Final. Ben served the first point and what a serve it was too, sending the ball out wide for an ace! However this was closely followed by a double fault as Ben struggled to find rhythm on his serve in the opening game. A close first set was played out with Ben being the more aggressive, coming to the net and usually forcing an error from Alastair, however Alastair was able to produce the occasional passing shot, which kept Ben on his toes. However he was no match for Ben’s aggression, who eventually took the first set 6-3. Ben then started to stamp his authority on the match in the second set, his serve was getting stronger and Alastair struggled to maintain the rally and so Ben ran out 6-3, 6-2 winner.
Over on Court 4 there was the Mixed Doubles Vets Final between the experienced pairing of John Galvez and Christina Wood against Tim Lafferty and Christine Coe. Galvez opened the serving and was clearly struggling with nerves as he hit back to back double faults, however a few blown kisses from his partner soon settled the nerves and he was able to hold his serve. The power of Galvez was complimented well by his partner Wood who demonstrated some clinical volleys at the net and so Galvez and Wood comfortably took the first set 6-1. They then raced into a 3-0 lead in the second set. However Lafferty attacking well and coming to the net and Coe, hitting forehand winners up the line got it back to 2-3 and a comeback was on, or so they thought. Galvez and Wood however, were able to step it up a gear a take the next 3 games in row and win the match 6-1, 6-2. More about Galvez later.
Across the path and onto court 8 now, where Martin Read (Father, NOT older brother of club coach Greg and who claims to have taught Greg ‘everything he knows about tennis’) was battling it out with ‘Chef’ and long standing member James Nash in the Men’s Vets Singles Consolation Final. Read started the more lively of the 2 players, serving well and dominating with his backhand slice on the fast Astroturf court. Nash, struggling with serve and the accuracy of Read’s shots was slow to get going and lost the first set 6-2. A more determined Nash came out for the second set and he was able to use his backhand up the line and effective drop shots to good use. A closer second set then played out and after a few famous “oh James!” shouts many would have thought that Read was getting the better of him. However that clearly was not the case as Nash took the second set 6-3. So a Champions Tie break (Tie Break to 10 points) would be used to decide the match or so the crowd thought. Instead, and to both players credit a full third set was to be played. Unfortunately for Nash though, no sooner had it started it was all over as Nash had to retire with injury at 1-1, such as shame as the crowd were just starting to get into the match, which was nicely set up for a classic. There was no rest for Nash as ‘athlete’ turned ‘chef’ and Nash was straight onto BBQ duties.
The final match of Saturday morning was the ‘David Vs Goliath’ match in the Boys U12’s Singles between Toby Clarke (National top 10 player at U10) and Harry Capper. The first 4 games were shared by both players, which gave Capper Confidence and belief that he could may well cause an upset. The fifth game was a long deuce game where Capper had numerous break points, however Clarke was able to use his experience to compose himself and eventually hold serve. That proved to be a big momentum boost for Clarke who went on to win the first set 6-3. The second set could have gone either way, Capper, after losing the first set bounced back well and was playing some lovely tennis, using his excellent touch to good effect. Clarke too was playing well and using his powerful forehand at every chance. A crucial moment arrived on the Clarke serve 4-5, 30-40, set point Capper. An excellent point was played out with Capper eventually just missing the side line going for an angled backhand. So 5-5 in the second set and after some close games, Clarke was able to win and take the match 6-3, 7-5. A fantastic match and effort from both boys, which in my opinion was the match of the morning, lasting 1 hour and 32 minutes, excellently umpired by Margaret Catlow.
A short break was welcomed with some very nice burgers and hot dogs cooked expertly from Chef James Nash. Awards were presented by Club Secretary Eve Gunn as the afternoon competitors started to arrive. Some of the adults playing in the afternoon matches had their very own unique warm up routine which included downing alcoholic fruit flavoured shots before stepping onto court! So onto Saturday afternoon…
Court 6, now nicknamed ‘Margaret’s Court’, saw the Ladies Singles Consolation Final between young ladies Tanaya Lai and Henrietta Owen, a couple of our up and coming junior girls. Lefty Owen clearly wasn’t intending to get drawn into long rallies and was using her aggressive forehand well in the opening exchanges. However nerves seemed to get the better of Owen as she struggled to find any rhythm and although there were many close games, Lai was able to take the first set 6-0. Lai then stepped it up in the second set with some big serves, and powerful ground strokes, which were simply no match for Owen. Lai winning comfortably in the end 6-0, 6-0.
Alongside the ladies consolation singles was the Boys U16’s Final between arch rivals Jonathon Boxer and big lefty, William Rousham. Rousham, the more aggressive of the two players in the first set was able to attack the Boxer backhand and dominate at the net, using his height well to put away attempted lobs from Boxer. 5-1 to Rousham in the first and although Boxer attempted to stage a comeback Rousham took it 6-3. The second set was a closer affair, Boxer was covering the court extremely well and making Rousham play more shots than he thought he would have to. Rousham was still able hold his serve under pressure and eventually we got to 6-6 and so a tie break took place. Rousham stormed into a 4-0 lead and it appeared the match would nearly be over but Boxer had other ideas and using his forehand very well was able to get it back to 4-4 and somehow take the second set much to the frustration of Rousham. The crowd were really getting into this one and were looking forward to an exciting third set. Although it soon became apparent that the second set had taken a lot out of Boxer, who was clearly struggling with a hamstring injury. Boxer determined not to concede put up a brave fight in the third set but the injury really effected his ability to play to the level required and Rousham won it 6-0.
Over the fence and on Court 8, was the Ladies Doubles Consolation Final between Pam Lansdell and her partner Mary Benson Vs Mary Braddock and Jackie Hoare. The first set was won comfortably (6-0) by Lansdell and Benson who used some unorthodox doubles tactics to which Braddock and Hoare had no answer to. The second set was far more competitive, Braddock and Hoare serving and volleying well, while Lansdell and Benson defending well. Some excellent doubles was played with Lansdell and Benson eventually taking the second set and the match 6-0, 6-2.
Alongside the ladies was the Men’s Vets Doubles Consolation Final between strong favourites Tony Coe and Tim Lafferty Vs the rather extravagant Robert Munford and his far quieter partner, Alan Pain. Coe and Lafferty dominated the opening exchanges, both serving well and placing volleys, which were just simply too good for Munford and Pain. Munford and Pain did make more of a game of it in the second set with Munford showing great determination at the net to desperately put a volley away and Pain executing some good smashes. However any hope of an upset was quickly dealt with by Coe and Lafferty who came through 6-0, 6-0 in just 50 minutes.
Over the next fence and onto court 10, where the final of the Consolation Mixed Doubles was taking place between Helena Nightingale and Paul Lister Vs ‘Team Committee’, Richard Fenton and Elizabeth Williams. There was a 20 minute delay to this match, not because of weather, crowd troubles or late arrivals but due to Williams and Fenton attempting to gain an advantage by indulging into the alcoholic flavoured fruit shots on offer! Eventually the match got underway with Williams and Fenton clearly wary of the threat of Lister targeting the majority of their shots at Nightingale. Nightingale, however was more than capable of dealing with the pressure and was strong at the net. A close first set was played out, which included an almost incredible moment of pace, power and skill from Fenton as he sprinted across the entire length of the baseline to unleash an unstoppable backhand back cross court. This was clearly going to be a winner if it hadn’t of just clipped his partner on the elbow, so unlucky. Lister and Nightingale went on to take the first set 6-3 and in the second set Lister came alive and was simply unplayable, intercepting well, hitting winners up the line and showing great touch at the net. This proved the difference as he and Nightingale ran out comfortable winners 6-3, 6-1.
The final match on Saturday was on court 4 and it was the Men’s Vets Doubles Final between Chris Davies and Martin Home Vs John Galvez and Robert Davies. An interesting doubles match was played out, with each pair having a lefty in their side (Home and R. Davies). C. Davies and Home took a very tactical approach by using a mixture of starting formations, including the very unique ‘eye formation’, whereas Galvez and R. Davies took a more traditional approach. A close first set, which included some excellent top spin lobs from both Davies’s was finally taken by slight favourites Galvez and Davies 6-4. The second set was more one way traffic as the power of Galvez combined with the control of R. Davies really took hold and they were able to win the match 6-4, 6-1. 2 out of 2 now for Galvez who was now only one win away from a Vets Triple and would have to return the next day to attempt what would be an incredible achievement.
With Saturday now complete it was onto ‘Super Sunday’, with a mouth watering line up of tennis; Men’s Singles Final, Girls and Boys U18’s Final, Men’s Doubles Final, Mixed Doubles Final and Ladies Doubles Final all being played.
There’s only one place to start, the Men’s Singles Final, current Champion, James Low taking on the No. 1 Seed and current U18’s Champion Jamie Boden on Court 6. This was a very close match throughout and lasted well over 2 hours. Boden was able to play the slightly more aggressive tennis in the first set and took an early brake, which proved costly for Low as the defending Champion lost the first set 4-6. The second set was even closer than the first, Low, the slightly more experienced of the 2 players showing fantastic resilience to stay in the match by holding serve and defending well from the hard hitting of Boden. Both players cancelled each other out before going into a tie-break. Boden showing no sign of nerves took hold of the tie-break and was flawless in taking a 6-0 lead. However, Low wasn’t about to let his grasp on the trophy go that easily and pegged Boden back to 6-3. However it was too little too late for Low and Boden took the tie-break 7-3 and the match 6-4, 7-6 to be crowned new Men’s Singles Champion. A fantastic level of tennis played by both men and a great way to start the day off in glorious sunshine.
The Girls U18’s Singles this year was a round robin affair, which included 4 players; Millie Hunting-Morris, Henrietta Owen, Elouise Banchilon and defending Champion, Tanaya Lai. Each girl would play 1 tie-break set against the other 3 girls and the Champion was the girl who won the most sets. After 2 rounds the title would be decided between Tanaya and Elouise who had both won their first 2 rounds very comfortably. A fantastic set was played by both girls and it wasn’t too long before it was 5-5. Elouise then made the crucial breakthrough by breakingTanaya’s serve and was able to serve out the set and the title taking it 7-5.
A very similar round robin format was used for the Girls U14’s Doubles event. 3 pairs took part; Izzy Yates partnering Amelia Sage, Mila Deist with Rosie Runnicles and Sophia Leary alongside Georgina Owen. This event proved to be a one horse race with Mila and Rosie who had competed against each other only the previous day for the Singles Final, winning all their sets and finish up as Champions. Amelia and Izzy just beat Sophia and Georgina for Runners Up by only 2 games as both pairs were tied on sets won.
Onto the Ladies Doubles Final now between former Champions and BLTC Legends Jenny Cox and Jane Timmis against current Ladies first team players and strong favourites Louise Tierney and Yvonne Burrage. A very friendly match was played out with plenty of laughs as well as great rallies. However the partnership of Tierney and Burrage was far too strong for Cox and Timmisand the Legends were sadly unable to post a single game (I’ll leave you to work out what the final score was).
A far more serious final was taking place over on court 7, the Boys U14’s Singles between Daniel Abernethy and Sota Katano. This was a re match from last year and possibly the year before too. Katano, who had never beaten Abernethy, was extremely focused and clearly had the eye of the tiger. A fantastic level of tennis, described by the crowd as ‘scarily good’ was on show. Katano was able to just clinch the first set 7-6 and an upset was on the cards. Abernethy recovering from a back injury, fought bravely in the second set but it was Katano who’s determination and focus saw him through 7-6, 6-4 and finally beat his nemesis.
Back to the slightly less serious stuff and over on Court 9 were long standing and popular members Eve Gunn ,Clive Weston, Sue Lockwood and Martin Barber in the Mixed Vets Doubles Consolation Final. Another long match was played out, which included a full third set as both pairs showed fantastic levels of fitness. Barber and Lockwood eventually ran out winners 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
Another more relaxed final was being played on court 5, Men’s Doubles Consolation between very likeable characters Austen Runnicles and his ‘Italian Stallion’ partner Giuseppe Greco Vs the 2 Boxer’s Jonathon and Colin. The Boxer’s comfortably took the first set 6-0 and eventually, only after one of the Boxer’s (I won’t mention who) missed probably the easiest shot of his career at match point, took the second set 6-3.