This was the 64th time the Essex Open Tournament had been held and the seventh occasion that it has been hosted by Billericay Lawn Tennis Club. Once again its success was due in no small part to the enthusiastic agreement of the club’s members and for their huge volunteer support in running the event. This year the club was honoured to have the President of The Lawn Tennis Association Mr Derek Howorth and his wife attend the finals day to present trophies to the winners and runners-up.
The tournament is a Grade 3, LTA sanctioned event, which is open to all junior players and additionally has a Mens Open section to cater for the Over 18’s. The tournament attracted around 200 players and with the majority of players coming from Essex but Kent, Suffolk, Surrey and a number of other county’s were also represented.
Tournament Organisers Les Cambridge and Richard Lehman (the club’s Chairman and Treasurer respectively) were absolutely delighted with how well the tournament was received with many parents and players commenting how well run it is.
Once again we employed a professional tennis referee, David Fuchs (www.tennisuk.net). David, in his normal calm and competent manner, led a team of independent LTA court supervisors and did an excellent job - we were delighted at the professional and highly efficient manner in which they all carried out their responsibilities.
The weather held fine for most of the week with only one short interruption for rain
With all ten of Billericay’s courts in use each day the club was buzzing and some exceptional tennis was witnessed. Whilst the tournament is principally for juniors (i.e. under 18’s) the club also runs a Men’s Open Singles and Doubles events.
In the Mens Singles event Daniel Bagguley from Clearview beat Adam Patterson from Hockley LTC. Frankie Langan won two titles beating Louis Watts in the final of the U 18 Boys singles and later partnered Simon Evans in the Mens Open Doubles to defeat Robert Collins and Chris Rayner. Abi Claydon retained her Girls U18 title beating Georgia Wheatley.
Billericay club players were successful in a number of events: Nicola Calverley and Charlotte McGuiness won the Girls U18 doubles title but Jennifer Brooks and Leanne Judge could not match this feat losing in the Final of the girls U14 Doubles event. Nicola Judge won the Girls U18 Consolation event final, Jamie Wright won the U16 Boys Consolation event final and Oliver Norton was successful in the U12 Boys Consolation event final.