The forth year of Writhlington Tennis Club closed championships culminated into a day of finals on Saturday 1st June at Writhlington Tennis Centre, with eight finals being decided, the tournament had been played over a series of weeks with many close matches being played late into the evenings.
The men’s and ladies singles were sponsored by local company Design Based International and were won by Alex Day and Writhlington Tennis coach Mandy Baldwin, playing against Writhlington 16 year old student Francesca Beg, said Mandy’ this was a tough final as I coach Francesca weekly, to face Francesca in a competitive match is really difficult to cope with, I thoroughly enjoyed playing and look forward to defending my title next year’.
Other Cups were the Stone King Mixed Doubles won by Sarah Dawe & Matt Hobbs, Watts Family Ladies Doubles won by sisters Mandy Baldwin & Sarah Dawe , the Farrington’s Farm Men’s Doubles Cup was an excellent final won by Chris Cox & Richard Chapman against cup donator Andy Jeffery and Matt Hobbs, said Andy ‘ I will be back next year to have another go at winning my own cup !’.
The Anyone for Tennis..... Mixed Veterans Cup, played in an American style doubles format in one evening where partnerships continually change with the overall winners being those players who won the most games. The final of this tournament was held on the Saturday with the other finals and was a thriller ! After two lengthy sets, a championship tiebreak was to be the decider with Rachel Gibbs & partner Mark Finch just sneaking the win 10-8 over Tina Lindley & Chris Cox.
Said Mandy Stonier Tennis Development Officer, ‘ There has been such a great club atmosphere throughout the championships with some fantastic tennis being played by juniors and adults alike’.
Two Juniors Cups contested this year were both won by Writhlington pupils Tom Hunt for the U16 Collinsons Cup beating Joe Blakeley and Alex Gardiner beating Callum Silkstone for the U14 Hunt Family Cup – both finals were of an excellent standard, showing off the talent that is now coming through the junior ranks of the tennis club.
The finals day ended with a presentation evening held at Writhlington where all the Cups were presented by their sponsors to the winners including the Stonier Hobbs Volunteer of the Year to Christine Hunt , Bernard Pendle Cup for Club member of the year to Tracey Stephens who has just stepped down from her position as Ladies Co ordinator after seven years.
The O’ Mahony Cup for Most improved Junior to Alex Gardiner and the Most Improved Mini of the Year to 10 year old Eleanor Nobbs from St Marys, Timsbury, who has recently been selected to play for Avon County U10 girls, said dad Tim ‘ we have had a very busy week of tennis, playing in the generation gap tournaments at the tennis centre together, running about the south west for tournaments and then going to Salisbury for the County matches, Eleanor has played her heart out this week and she is so proud of the cup she has won’.
Writhlington Sports and Leisure centre offer tennis lessons for children from pre school right through to adults. Indoor and outdoor tennis courts are also available to hire 7 days a week. If you would like any further details please contact reception on 01761 438559, or visit the centres website www.writhlingtonsportscentre.co.uk