Sam Butler and Martin Sedzmak played one of the best ever club championship finals, with Sam playing an exceptional first set with stunning groundstrokes winning by 6-1. Martin broke serve at beginning of 2nd set and his 1st serve percentage improved but Sam had couple opportunities to break back before Martin closed out 2nd set 6-4. A very tight 3rd set saw Sam take 4-3 lead but he just missed a few too many attacking groundstrokes and lost 6-4 to give Martin his 5th title in a row.
The ladies singles was again between Laura Jones and Kelly Walsh. Laura played very aggressively using her big forehand and first serve to good effect. Kelly counter attacked effectively but made a few too many unforced errors and Laura won 6-4 6-3 to take revenge from 2008 when she lost by the same score!
Jack Molloy came through a tough competition to win the boys U10 and Road to Wimbledon C event. He beat top seed Harley Dyaer in a match tie-breaking the semis then number 2 seed Charlie Spittal in a very competitive match 4-1 2-4 10-5. In the Road to Wimbledon he beat Dan Buckeldee in the final 4-2 4-0.
Imogen Scarles (9) was the star of the girl’s events winning three titles. She beat fellow school friend (from Maltman’s Green School) Aisling McCarthy 7-3 7-2 in the Orange ball under 9 final and twice beat Amy Pearce (also from Maltman’s Green) 4-2 2-4 10-3 in U10 then a more comfortable 4-1 4-0 in the Road to Wimbledon B event. Molly Hawker played very impressively to beat Sasha Eykyn who won the 2008 Academy Award for most improved player 6-0 6-3.
Louise Barrett lost the U12 final last year but this year won the U15 event against the talented Charlotte Barber. The favourite and top seed Charlotte Thistle was stunned in the U18 final by a resurgent Alicia P-Neophytou who played without nerves. Her groudstrokes were very effective and Alicia kept fighting to record a 7-6 6-4 victory.
Oli Levi (Bucks number 1) had a very tough match with Harrison Roe who almost caused an upset but just lost 7-6 6-3 in an impressive match with both players showing good maturity. However Oli's brother and top seed Ben lost the U15 final to his good friend Nick Rennie (they are due to play in the doubles final against Jack savage and Justin Brown during the GXLTC Academy Tour to West Bridgeford Grade 3 tournament this week).
One of the biggest upsets of the day was Oli and Harrison losing the U12 final to the more attacking James Cairns and Alex Hattam 6-3 3-6 10-5. Alex also repeated his success of lat year to beat Callum Rennie in a very close Road to Wimbledon B final 2-6 7-6 10-6. Jonny Maunder (Royal Grammar) regained his U18 title against Tom Cunningham (Dr Challenor).
The Open Doubles events this year were an all family event with Andrew and Ian Jackson beating Peter and his son Jack Savage 6-2 6-1 and Jo with Georgina Kilbourn had a terrific match against Laura Jones and Kate Todd just winning 7-6 7-6. Sam Butler and Kelly repeated their mixed doubles victory this time against tennace coach James Martin who picked a good partner in Laura Jones! The new B standard events proved very popular with Alec Pearson beating Dan Thomas in the final 6-3 6-3 and Janette Marshall beating Felicity Pollock in the ladies event.
Men’s’ captain Ian Jackson at last won a singles event beating peter savage in the semi final before outplaying Peter Cook in the vets final 6-2 6-1.
The Ladies Vets’ final had new faces in the final where Tania Petty beat Antonia Hadfield in a good quality match. They teamed up to win the doubles against Michelle Ryan and Alison Howe. Performance coach and Referee of the day Paul Davey with Peter Savage cruised through the vet doubles against Rob Hazelwood and Leslie Barber. Andrew Martin and Trudi Arnold stunned defending champions Kate Todd and Gary Hales in the mixed vet semis before losing a very close match to Richard Stewart and Alison Poore 5-7 6-4 6-3.
The club now looks forward to the week-long Grade 3 LTA Junior Open from 10th August and the Veterans Tournament on 3rd September. Let’s hope they are as successful as the Club Championships.
For full results, click here.