July and August saw a number of tournaments featuring North Cornwall clubs. First up was an open tournament held at Wadebridge tennis club.
The Wadebridge Match play cup has changed with rules and regulations over the last decade but three events took centre stage. The three events were a mini Orange competition which saw Chris Denton of Bodmin beat 5 others in a round robin format. A boys under 12 competition where Louie Dent of Wadebridge beat Toby Roberts of Newquay in a pulsating final which was decided in a Championship tie-break. The third event was a mens singles competition which saw Matt Dunkerley of Wadebridge win a round robin of 5 with fellow Bridger Simeon Weller in second place. I would like to thank Estuary Estates and Bodmin sports trophies for there sponsorship of this event. Without are long term backing from Estuary Estates and Bodmin sports trophies this event would struggle to go ahead.
The triple clubs competitions featuring Bude, Launceston and Wadebridge tennis clubs is know firmly established and has seen record entries this summer. For the first time ever entries had to close shortly after the entry deadline and a waiting list had to be put in place. Bude Community College hosted the first leg of the triple clubs competition which featured events in mini tennis red, orange, green, junior boys and junior girls. The red winner was Matthew Caddy of Wadebridge, the orange winner was Will Heard of Launceston, green winner was Joe Lopez of Bude, the junior girl winner was Emma Gillard of Launceston and in the match of the day Liam White beat Alex Harrison in another championship tie-break where both boys squandered match points before Liam converted a nerve racking third match point and put the match to rest. Both boys were from Bude.
Launceston held the second leg a week later and wins in Red from Daniel Howgill of Launceston, Samuel Mills-Shute in Orange from Launceston, James Nicoll in green from Launceston and it was a clean sweep for the host club as Emma Gillard and Sam Tucker won the honours in the junior event. 24 hours later and Wadebridge were playing hosts and in a record breaking entry which saw 50 players in attendance across red,orange,green and junior boys and girls. Daniel Howgill of Launceston took the honours in red and Will heard from the same club took both the orange and green events as he played up a stage and surprised everybody. Sian Temple from the host club took the girls competition and marathon men Alex Harrison and Liam White of Bude playing there fifth match of the day, were still standing with Alex playing some much more positive tennis with regular visits to the net off short balls and converting many volleys to win in straight sets. I would like to mention Elise White from the Wadebridge club who along with her brother Nick attended all three competitions and made staggering progress in the process. In fact many players attended all three competitions and it is hoped that they will visit many more including other clubs and different venues.
Players to attend all three events were Daniel Howgill, Adam Howgill, Joshua Cavey, Caleb Brewer, Will Heard, Emma Gillard, Sam Heron, Samuel Mills-Shute, Charlie Nicoll and James Nicoll from Launceston. Alex Harrison and Harry Hatch from Bude. Nick White,Elise White, Matthew Caddy and Charlie Lang from Wadebridge. The tournaments have been a huge success with some players competing for the first time and others are fast becoming regular competing juniors with improving LTA ratings.
Best of all players are enjoying there coaching and match play and seem to be playing how they are developing with there respective coaches. The summer of 2013 saw sun, friendship and rivalries on the tennis courts at Bude, Launceston and Wadebridge. As Head coach to Launceston and Wadebridge I am very proud to be involved in what has been a hugely successful summer as far as competitions are concerned. My Thanks to fellow Launceston club coach and Head coach at Bude, Rachael Stacey. Rachael and I have worked very hard at establishing the triple clubs and Clash of the clubs competitions. It is booming right now and long may it continue. At the time of writing I would like to congratulate Agatha Evans who has made it through to the 12 and under Nationals to be held at the West Hants club in Bournemouth.
James Brobin