Grappenhall LTC & Birchwood Tennis Centre again hosted the Championships. It was good to see many players returning to compete as well as plenty of new faces.
As usual the first day was devoted to the 10 & under age group (mini green), with the competition amongst the boys proving to be particularly well contested. The final was played between Ilias Hirani - Worthington (David Lloyd, Cheadle) and George Boles (Hale LTC) with Ilias taking the title. Elena Asgill - Whalley (Bramhall, Queensgate LTC)) deservedly won the girls singles with Katie Huang (Bowdon LTC) runner up.
The mini reds (8 & under) & orange (9 & under) was played on the indoor courts at Birchwood, and provided great entertainment and lots of well contested matches. The winners of the 8 & under singles were Regan O’Brien who defeated Zach Thompson, and Eva Senior who overcame Susanna Thompson in another close match. The 9 & under singles finals were played between Richard Carroll and Daniel Longshaw, and Abi Redman and Eva Senior. Both were excellent finals with Richard and Abi taking their first county titles.
The U12 – U18 events provided some quality matches throughout the week, played in a pleasing spirit of fair play. Congratulations to Alice Shields (Widnes Tennis Academy) who retained her 12 & under singles title, and in the boy’s final Mason Dace (Manchester Northern LTC) and Henry Boles (Hale LTC) provided some excellent entertainment with Mason winning 6 – 3, 6 – 2. There was a surprise in the 14 & under boys singles with Danny Urey (Birchwood) defeating Sam Reeve (Bramhall Lane LTC) in the closest of matches by 10 – 8 in a 3rd set tie break. In the 14 & under girl’s singles Ella Walker (Virgin Active) defeated Olivia Anderson (Virgin Active) 6 – 4, 6 – 3.
The 16 & under boy’s singles champion is Tom Owen (Ellesmere Port CTC) who was pushed very hard by Danny Urey, eventually winning a 3rd set tie break. Ellie Aldrich (Birchwood) made up for the disappointment of losing in last year’s 18 & under singles final by taking the title in convincing style against Emily Sproston (David Lloyd, Warrington). Adam Jones (Prenton LTC) was defending his 18 & under singles title, and it did not prove straight forward, being taken to a 3rd set tie - break by fellow county team member Lewis Denton in the semi final. The final against Jamie Oakes (Nantwich LTC) was well contested, however, Adams stronger ground strokes resulted in a 6 – 2, 6 – 4 victory. Adam therefore took the title for a record 3rd time!
There were some equally entertaining and good quality doubles matches across all the age groups. The results of all the finals can be viewed with this report.
The prestigious Dick Fontes trophy was awarded to Hannah Mccolgan (Bramhall Lane LTC) for her all round contribution to Cheshire tennis. Hannah has played regularly for the Junior County team, as well as gaining selection for the Great Britain 16 & under team, which is obviously an outstanding achievement Hannah has also played for the Ladies County team and somehow found the time to still play for her Bramhall Lane LTC club team whenever she can. Hannah is an outstanding example of someone who has worked hard to improve her own tennis, setting high standards of performance and behavior both on and off court. There is no one more deserving of this award in Cheshire junior tennis than Hannah.
John Hilton
Chairman of CCLTA Competitions & Tournaments Committee
