Bowdon Bowling LTC hosted the Championships for the first time, and the change of venue proved to be very popular with the players who had the opportunity to play on the club’s newly laid artificial clay courts. There was also a significant increase in the number of entries which meant matches had to be played on the Friday evening.
Credit should go to all the players as not only were all matches very competitive and well contested, but also played in a great spirit in accordance with the LTA’s Fair Play values of enjoy and respect.
The Men’s singles had an early surprise with the No.2 seed Ben Stanbury (Bramhall Lane LTC) losing in the 2nd round to Jonathan Rourke (David Lloyd, Cheadle) 6 – 3, 6 – 1. Jonathan proceeded to defeat Andrew Anson (No. 8 seed), and then in a very close semi final against Istvan Kaplan (Congleton LTC) the No.4 seed, he won 10 -8 in the championship tie break. Jonathan’s run of success came to an end in the final when he met the holder and no.1 seed David Trainor (Mere), who played some great tennis winning 6 – 1, 6 – 3 to secure his 3rd consecutive title. David had shown his class in the previous rounds, and despite the best efforts of Patrick Talbot in the semi final, David had secured his place in the final with a 7 – 5, 6 – 3 victory.
The Men’s doubles draw included a number of well established and successful partnerships. Matches in the earlier rounds provided some very entertaining tennis with the Bowdon Bowling pair of Alastair Hurlstone & Stuart Thwaites recording a notable victory 6 - 4, 7- 6(5) against Andrew Barrington & Mike Leeman (Upton Victory LTC), before losing 6 – 1, 6 – 4 to the unseeded but strong pair of Jason Tonge & Pete Bailo from Manchester Northern LTC. Jason & Pete then met No. 1 seeds Jeff Fairbotham (Lymm LTC) & Bart Smethurst (Mere) in the semi final. It was no surprise that this contest was decided by a championship tie break, and it was the unseeded pair who prevailed 10 – 4. In the bottom half of the draw Mark Reading (David Lloyd, Cheshire Oaks) & John Simpson (Heswall LTC) the No. 2 seeds had a tough quarter final against Ian Smith & Ian Swettenham from Glen Aber LTC Chester, eventually winning 6 – 3, 7- 6 (4). They then faced the no. 3 seeds and last years’ winners Ben Stanbury (Bramhall Lane) & Patrick Talbot (Mere) in the semi final. Ben & Patrick started well and did not allow Mark & John to impose themselves and they ran out comfortable winners. The final was expected to be a close match, however, Jason & Pete served and returned particularly well throughout the match and deservedly took the title.
The Ladies singles, like the men’s event, produced a surprise with the No.1 seed and holder Catherine Birkett (Lymm LTC) losing her first match to Fiona Fosbury (Bramhall Park TC) in straight sets. In the other half of the draw Gemma Day from David Lloyd, Cheadle had a convincing win in the semi final against Vicky Brown (Bramhall Lane LTC). In the final Gemma came back from 0 – 3 down in the first set to win it 6 – 4. The second set was also very close and hard fought, with Fiona proving to be a worthy opponent against a player who has represented Cheshire many times in the past. The second set score was also 6 – 4, and Gemma had won her first singles title at this level.
In the Ladies doubles last years’ winners Jannette Harris & Alison Lewis from Lymm LTC reached the final again, with a convincing win in the semi final against Atsuko Koido & Fon Walker (6 – 2, 6 – 1). Gemma Day teamed up with another county team player Katie Sidell (Bramhall Lane LTC), and they were firm favourites for the title. They comfortably defeated Fiona Fosbury & Vicky Brown in the semi final, and the whilst the final was a closer match, Gemma & Katie imposed themselves from the start despite Jannette & Alison’s best efforts, and they ran out worthy winners 6 – 2, 6 – 1.
Finally, a special thank you to Bowdon Bowling LTC and its members for the use of their courts and facilities throughout the weekend. They could not have made the players more welcome, and added to the great atmosphere over the whole weekend.
John Hilton
Chairman - Competitions & Tournaments Committee