An exciting days play saw the under 12’s and under 16’s tournaments come to an end on Tuesday. With the sun shining down on the West Hants centre, boys and girls in both age categories battled it out for top honours, producing some outstanding Tennis in the semi-finals and finals of their respective draws.
The Boys’ under 12’s semi finals saw top seed Niko Gleed take on Ben Samuel for a place in the final against Louis Allen, the second seed, or the third seed Dominic Webb. Gleed opened out an early advantage and won the first set 6-1. He then won the second set 6-3 and to book his place in the final.
Allen and Webb played out an extremely one sided affair in their semi final, with Allen getting early breaks in both sets. He was then able to push his opponent back and take full advantage of his lead. Allen was in fine form and won 6-0, 6-0 to set up the final with Gleed.
Allen was able to maintain his form from his semi-final, but was pushed all the way by Gleed in the first set with the second seed just edging it 7-5 to avoid what would’ve been an intense tie-break. The second set was less even as Allen pushed on after taking the opening set and secured a decisive break of serve. Gleed was unable to break back and eventually lost 7-5, 6-3 to the impressive Allen.
The Girls’ under 12’s final was contested between Mille Smythe and Natalie Carter, the number one and two seeds respectively. The match went the way of the seedings as Smythe secured a double break in both sets to win 6-2, 6-2 and claim the top prize.
Over in the Girl’s under 16’s tournament the match up for the final was being decided. Elle Baker beat Lily Tighe by a comfortable score line of 6-2, 6-2 whilst Florence Bridgman won 6-1, 6-2 against Annabel Redding. Baker and Bridgman contested a very close final which was forced into a deciding set after Bridgman had levelled the match with Baker having taken the opening set. A single break was all it took in the decider with Baker coming out on top winning 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to seal the victory.
The Boy’s under 16’s tournament has undoubtedly been the highlight of the Dorset County Closed sponsored by LV Insurance so far. Both semi-finals will be remembered for many reasons and the first tie saw top seed Kieron Morrissey and Scott Jordan, fourth seed, play some unbelievable Tennis in a two and a half hour battle. Morrissey emerged as the 7-5, 6-4 victor from what has been described as the match of the tournament.
Whilst in the other semi-final, a match of epic proportions was being played out. Ben Battey and Gianpiero Placidi fought out a mammoth three setter over four hours and seven minutes, one of the longest matches ever at the Dorset County Closed. Placidi eventually edged the match thanks to a third set tie-break, he won 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5). The final was a more straight forward affair with Morrissey racing ahead by taking the first set 6-0. The second set saw Placidi display some of the grit he showed in his semi-final, but it was not enough to deny his opponent the victory as the match finished 6-0 6-3 to Morrissey.
Dorset County Closed chairman David Walrond said: “Some really good quality tennis was on display in all age groups and all players should be commended on their play and in the manner in which they approached the game”.
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Selected results can be seen below: -
16&U boys: Q/F: Kieron Morrissey bt Mitchell Bentley 6-3, 6-0 ; Scott Jordan bt Connor Townsend 6-1, 6-0 ; Ben Battey bt Sam Walrond 7-5, 6-4 ; Gianpiero Placidi bt Ben Skidmoree 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 ; S/F : K. Morrissey bt S. Jordan 6-4, 7-5; G Placidi bt B. Bettey 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) ; Final: K Morrissey bt G. Placidi 6-0, 6-3.
16&U Girls: S/F: Elle Bake bt Lily Tighe 6-2, 6-2 ; Florence Bridgman bt Annabel Redding 6-1, 6-2 ; Final: E. Baker bt F. Bridgman 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
12&U boys: Q/F: Niko Gleed bt James Gamage 6-0, 6-2 ; Ben Samuel bt Thomas Powell 6-4, 6-0 ; Dominic Webb bt Harry Pickard 7-5, 6-2 ; Louis Allen bt James Elwood 6-0, 6-1 ; S/F: N. Gleed bt B. Samuel 6-1, 6-3 ; L. Allen bt D. Webb 6-0, 6-0 ; Final; L. Allen bt N. Gleed 7-5, 6-3.
12&U Girls: S/F: Millie Smythe bt Erin Richardson 6-2, 6-3 ; Natalie Carter bt Mirsha Hobbs 6-2, 6-2 ; Final: M. Smythe bt N. Carter 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2.
By Harry Lund