Grappenhall LTC, and Birchwood Tennis Centre, Warrington hosted the Championships, with age groups ranging from 8 & under through to 18 & under. During the week there were numerous well contested matches, with the best of Cheshire’s juniors playing some outstanding tennis. Nearly 200 players competed in both singles and doubles events, and spectators were treated to many hard fought and very competitive matches that were also played in a really good spirit of fair play.
Whilst difficult to pick out individuals, there were a number of eye catching performances. In the girls 12 & under Eve Daniels (Bramhall Lane) won both the singles & doubles, as did Hannah McColgan (Cheadle) in the girls U.14’s. Hannah achieved further success winning the U.16’s singles. Three county titles was undoubtedly a quite outstanding achievement.
Katie Merrick (Stockton Heath) played in three finals winning the U.18 doubles with Sally Atkinson (Stockton Heath), and was runner up in the U.14 doubles with Sally. In the final of the U.18 mixed doubles Katie again finished as runner up with Jordan Minjoot (Stockton Heath).
Boys who produced particular noteworthy results were Samuel Reeve (Bramhall Lane) who won both the 9 & under, as well as the 10 & under singles titles. Lewis Denton (Prestbury) probably produced the major surprise of the week who as an unseeded player won the 14 & under singles, as well taking the doubles titles with James Bloomer (Nantwich).
Lewis also reached the final of the 16 & under singles, only just losing a high quality match 5-7, 3-6 to Jordan Grocott (Congleton). Jordan then went onto to cause a surprise, winning a second title in the U.18 boys doubles with Adam Jones (Prenton), as well as finishing as runner up in the U.18 singles. The stand out player in the U.18 singles was Sean Sivewright (Prestbury) who dominated the event, and Sean was also runner up in the doubles with Connor Moran (Prestbury).
For the first time Cheshire decided to present a special Fair Play Award. This was in support of the LTA’s Fair Play Initiative in which all players who compete in tournaments and team competitions are encouraged to respect everyone, be sporting at all times, and equally important enjoy playing. To say it was a difficult task deciding upon just one player to receive this award is an understatement, as so many players were nominated. There was, however, one player who it was felt stood out in all his matches, not only in the way he played, but he was always very fair, as well as acknowledging good shots played by his opponents even when the matches were very close. The award therefore deservedly went to Harry Doyle (Brabyns) who played in the 12 & under age group.
To view all the draws from the Championships click here