Graham Ray, the organiser on the day, congratulated all the players on their high standard of play throughout the weekend. This annually held event which has been run at the County Centre at Redbridge for several years, is part of the overall team selection process for the forthcoming LTA Inter-County Winter Singles Championships, this year being held at Bath University where the Essex Team will be competing in Division 1 having achieved promotion from Division 2 in the 2012 Event.
Local involvement included Harry Randle from Thorpe Bay LTC, Andrew Berry from Westcliff Hardcourts LTC, the Gardiner brothers, Chris and Paul from Thundersley, Nick Hilder from Rayleigh, John Western from Hockley LTC, the ageless Jack Stammers from Leigh, Peter French from Billericay and the improving Lewis Tyler from Danbury. Harry Randle and Chris Gardiner proved to be the most successful of the local players. Harry won the ‘A Group Consolation Playback’ beating Jared Linzell in the final 6-4, 6-2. Harry has had a most successful 2013 winning the Essex Closed Men’s Singles and his own club’s, Thorpe Bay LTC’s, Singles Championship.
Chris Gardiner lost in the semi-final of the main event losing to the eventual winner, Richard Wire from Loughton, 6-2, 6-0. Richard, an ex Junior National Champion will lead the Essex campaign in Bath later in November. He proved that he still has the class to beat all other Essex opposition by beating David Wright from Ilford in the final of the main event 6-1, 6-4.
Lewis Tyler, Louis Lee-Allan and Andrew Berry indicated their ever increasing potential by winning matches in their consolation play-back events respectively. It is important to note that by integrating the younger players into the Senior Ranks that this aids a rapid improvement in their standard of play. It will be interesting to view the improvement that players like Lewis, Louis and Andrew will have made when future like events are run in 2014.
This event again was well received by all the players and a tribute to the late Bryan Watts, a great supporter of Essex Tennis and fine player over the years, and current sponsor of Essex Tennis, Eddie Kirtland.
‘The Futures Bright – The Futures is with Essex Tennis’.
Photos from the Tournament
Tournament Results