‘Time shall not age them’ takes on a new perspective when introducing the newly formed Over 75’s Cornwall County Tennis Team. Until this year the Seniors Cornwall County battles ceased at the mature level of seventy years but as in so many sports these days participants are staying fitter for longer and many of our Counties are fielding teams of over seventy five year olds and indeed over eighty year olds in teams who are quite fit and able enough to withstand the rigors of playing hard fought doubles matches of up to six sets a throw.
The new team on the block was assembled by The Newquay Heron Tennis Centre’s veteran player Graham Talling who, until last year, played in the over 70’s Seniors Cornwall Team. On reaching his 75th birthday he decided it was still too early to hang up his wooden racket just yet and after much help from his local LTA Office, Home Club and Graham Johns the Cornwall County Seniors Co-ordinator a squad of five ancient players was created that will form the new County Team to represent Cornwall at the over 75 year old level .
The squad is made up of Graham as Captain, Harry Fletcher and Phil Rowland who play their game at Liskeard Tennis Club, Michael Parry of Wadebridge Tennis Club and Brian Davis of St Austell Tennis Club. It is intended that all five players will play in every designated county contest fielding a team of four so substituting the fifth player for one of the second doubles rubbers. The Cornwall team will be facing both Essex and Gloucestershire County teams at their own home base of Newquay Heron Centre and face away treks to both Dorset and Suffolk Counties to do battle during the coming months.