The SGPB Hambros Cambridge LTC Easter Tournament finished on Good Friday in glorious sunshine with local players in 9 singles finals. Players from all around the country competed in the grade 3 tournament and it was a credit to the local players that they did so well.
The most intriguing match of the week was the 16 and under boys’ final between Chad Richard of Ely and Joel Jones from Cornwall. Chad who was unseeded had in previous rounds beaten the number one seed Ryan Lambert of Suffolk 6/4, 7/5 and then in the semi- finals beat the number 3 seed Kane Patience of Essex 6/0, 7/6. In the final Chad was up against Joel Jones seeded 2 and rated two divisions higher than Chad. The first set went the way of Jones 6/2 who dominated with his extra weight of shot of the ground. In the second set Chad found his range more and he managed to draw level at 5 games all and then ensued two close games which Chad just managed to win. The final point in the set was a narrow miss from Jones as he tried a running pass down the line. This seemed to deflate Jones and soon Chad was able to take control of the third set and won this 6/1.
In the boys 18 and under final, local boy James Morris from Bar Hill beat Norfolk’s Harry Weeds 6/2, 6/3. Earlier in the tournament James nearly came to grief as he trailed Kane Patience of Essex 1/6, 1/3 but somehow managed to grind out the match and win 1/6, 6/4, 6/4. He was far more aggressive in the final and thoroughly deserved his victory.
In the boys 14 and under event local boy and Cambridge Club member Ben Clark played very intelligently to beat the far bigger and number one seed James Ling of Suffolk 6/1, 6/1.
In the 9 and under event Harry Wendelken of Horseheath played very well on the orange court to defeat Jonathon Price of Essex 6/8, 7/5, 7/4.
In the 8 and under boys event Nik Ahyaee reached the final and just lost out to Adam Rudolph of Suffolk.
In the girls events pride of place goes to local girl Eilish Mackie of Huntingdon, who reached the final of both the 16 and under and 18 and under events. In the 16 and under final Eilish lost to Nephe Deviane-Horne 3/6, 2/6 but later played the 18 and under final and beat Alexandra Jones of Saffron Walden 6/3, 6/1. Eilish paired up with Stella Gordon to win the 18 and under doubles against Pippa Scotcher and Alexandra Jones 6/1, 7/5.