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Exwick Tennis Club was the venue for the red ball event on Saturday where it was a case of honours even with Evan Morris (Torquay), Oliver Batson (Exmouth) and Rowan Welch (Victoria Park) all winning 4 out of their 5 matches. Exmouth's Elliott Hawthorne held his own whilst it was great to see Bryony Hayward (Cary Park) and Reuben Bates (Exwick) in their first Flybe circuit event.
Evan's big brother Ashley, meanwhile, was taking part in the green ball competition at Exeter Golf & Country Club. 11 mini green players from clubs across Devon and Cornwall including Exeter Tennis Centre, Sidmouth, Torquay, Launceston, Chagford, Exmouth and Exeter Golf and Country Club took part.
There was a mixture of levels with players of all green ratings competing and three players were playing in their first mini green competition. The atmosphere was excellent as the weather stayed clear and mild allowing parents and family to watch some very competitive matches under the floodlights.
The most successful players were Toby Watts (Tarka) and Will Heard (Launceston)who both won all four of their matches. The closest match was between Toby and Ashley Morris (Torquay) where a tie-break was required to separate them. Toby prevailed 7-4 in a match of great quality and full of long, battling rallies.
The final match of the afternoon also provided some fantastic entertainment. Ashley and Billy Turl (Exeter GCC) were involved in some extraordinary rallies with Billy displaying some incredible athleticism to stay in the points when faced with the power of Ashley’s groundstrokes. Both players came off pleased with their performances and it was Ashley who came through 4-2.
Margaux Slade (VA Devonshire), competed well against the boys and held her own as did Leighton Starkie (Ivybridge) winning 3 out of his 4 matches.
Billy Turl (9yrs and first green competition) said, "I enjoyed playing in my first mini green tournament and had some really fun matches."
Organiser/coach James Temple said, "The Flybe Mini Masters events are a brilliant opportunity for players from clubs in Devon and Cornwall to compete in a fun, relaxed environment. The players all competed with a great spirit and displayed an impressive level of tennis."
Whilst the red and green ballers were in Exeter, the orange ball players headed for Plymouth and their event at the Virgin Active Devonshire Club.
It proved to be well worth Harry Melville's journey from Truro as he won all of his 4 matches but there were plenty of close and exciting matches all round. Will Stirling from Penzance pushed Harry all the way in their 3 set match and Oliver Curran (Bovey Tracey) and Exeter's Finn Upsher had another great 3 setter. Teignmouth's Sebastian Linnitt in his first season on orange ball won 3 of his 4 matches whilst Matty Avis (Torquay) produced a solid performance.
The stand out match had to be the tussle between Oliver and Noah Clifford (Redruth) which lasted 40 minutes. Oliver finally secured the win and the final score was 13-11, 22-20! Organiser Richard Stafford said, "I admire the boys' stamina. I think that's the longest orange ball match I've ever witnessed!"