The Annual Cheshire 35 & Over Championships were recently played over the weekend of the 26th & 27th April. Cheshire LTA was again grateful to Brooklands LTC in Sale for hosting the event.
There was some very good quality tennis played in what can best be described as testing windy conditions. The pick of the 1st round matches was Patrick Talbot (last year’s finalist), defeating Martin Paxton in two closely contested sets 6 – 3, 7 - 6. Patrick went on to meet David Trainor in the semi-finals (a repeat of last year’s final), and in the closest of matches, in which both players had match points, David was victorious 6 – 7, 6 – 1, 12 – 10. David obviously enjoys very tight matches as the final against Ben Stanbury also went to a 3rd set tie breaker. David again managed to win this time 6 – 4, 6 – 7, 10 – 4. The ladies singles final between Catherine Birkett and Fon Walker was similarly well contested with Catherine winning 6 – 4, 6 – 3.
The Men’s doubles final featured Patrick Talbot & Ben Stanbury v Glen Powell & Mike Glassbrook. Glen & Mike had won a very close semi-final against Paul Harris & Phil Huggon which ended 12 – 10 in a final set tie break. There was nothing between the finalists either with both pairs saving match points. Patrick & Ben were the eventual winners 12 – 10. The ladies final involved regular County team players Alison Lewis & Bev White against Atsuko Koldo & Fon Walker. Alison & Bev’s greater experience, proved to be a telling factor and they won 6 – 4, 6 – 3.
Full results can be found at here and photos here
John Hilton, Tournaments Committee