Full results here
http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=54835D50-7811-49E9-8CAB-CBBB16A1A93F
Buckinghamshire Junior County Closed 2013
This year the County Closed moved from Chesham Bois who have hosted the event for the past 3 years to Great Missenden Tennis club. It was an exciting challenge to have a new venue with new courts and a new club house but it was a very successful tournament mainly because of excellent Club support.
The Red and Orange competitions started on Sunday25 August at the Bucks Indoor Tennis Centre and this proved to be a popular choice especially with the heavy rain outside. There was some exciting competition with good skills on display highlighting the value of using the sponge balls indoors. One of the highlights was the two Orange boys’ semi-finals which thrilled everyone with a high skill level and the sportsmanship showed by the players who applauded each other’s good shots and made clear and honest calls.
The outdoor competition started on Monday 26 August progressing though to a highly enjoyable Finals Day held on Saturday. There were some excellent matches throughout the week with many matches going to 3 sets. It was pleasing to see that the vast majority of matches were played in good spirit with little need for intervention by the referees so well done the players! It would be unfair to mention specific finals but we did witness some really close matches going right down to a final set. It was also good to see the senior girls compete at 18&U as well as two boys and girls doubles. It is sad to see a small doubles entry as it gives a different perspective away from the intensity of singles play. It is the custom to present trophies after all the Finals have taken place and this gave some excellent photo opportunities which can be seen on the Bucks LTA Facebook & Twitter pages.
On another note, with apologies for being a little political, I have to voice some disappointment at the number of players who enter the County Closed and where some players do not enter because of fear of losing their ratings rather than enter the County Competition and become County Champion. Although the County Closed is open to everyone it is sad not to see some of our best players in the County. I hope that the LTA may consider some changes for the future to help enhance the value of the tournament.
Finally I would like to thank Great Missenden Tennis Club for hosting the County Closed and for their great support up to and including the week. I would also like to thank everyone on the committee for making it such a successful week.
Malcolm Jamieson