The Annual Essex Tennis Leo-Lyle Trophy Men’s Doubles Invitation Tournament was held successfully at Thorpe Bay LTC, the home of the event for the 10th successive year, on Saturday 14th July 2018.
The event was organised by the now familiar team of Jamie Willson the Essex Tennis Senior Men’s Captain and Graham Ray, with Steve Wynn who refereed the event. The Leo-Lyle Trophy Doubles Tournament is a high level Men’s Doubles Tennis Event and is used as an important lead up event to the forthcoming National Event, the Summer LTA Inter-County Grass Courts Doubles Championships being held later this month all around the UK in a variety of Club venues. This year the Essex Tennis Men’s Team will again be competing in a week long event in Group 1 at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne where the pre –Wimbledon Tournament Event was hosted. The Essex Ladies will this year be competing at Eastbourne too for the first time in quite a few years, again in Group 1. Best wishes for the success of both teams in the forthcoming event starting for the complete week commencing Monday 23rd July 2018.
A reduced compliment of 12 players participated in this year’s competition, Players were divided into two box groups consisting of one box of 4 pairs and a second box of group of 3 pairs played in an initial ‘Round Robin’ format. All Group Round Robin Matches were played using a single tie-break set with a ’10 Point Match Tie Break to decide the match played when the games score reached 6 games all. It was pleasing to see a mixture of established Senior Essex Tennis Players blending in with our talented younger players who responded competitively at the opportunity of playing against their experienced Senior Peers. This year Robert Carter & Thomas Pudney, Harry Randle & David Tubbs, all from Thorpe Bay LTC, Rittik Anand & Benjamin Stanford from Redbridge & Billericay LTC, Samuel Bayda & Edward Pudney from Westcliff Hardcourts & Thorpe Bay LTC, James Caddies & Cameron Isbell from Billericay LTC & Redbridge, John Coyle & Alex Dodd from Brentwood & Harlow LTC, made up the playing contingent.After the Group Stages had been completed in the morning session the Semi-Finals took place after the lunch break. Play reverted to a 2 Tie Break Set Format with a Match Tie Break incorporated as the Final Set if required. The first Semi-Final involved Robert Carter & Thomas Pudney pitched into battle with John Coyle & Alex Dodd. After a competitive match the experience of Robert & Thomas emerged as the winners & progress into the Final. The second Semi-Final saw James Caddies & Cameron Isbell take on Harry Randle & David Tubbs, previous winners of this event, & in a highly entertaining match James & Cameron were the victors. It should be noted that David Tubbs at the age of 37, still plays to a great standard.
On to the final, which as usual, proved to be worthy of any final. Excellent doubles play from all the players, saw the spectators treated to some superb Men’s Doubles. In a powerful display of tennis, Robert Carter & Thomas Pudney proved to be just a little stronger than their worthy opponents of James Caddies & Cameron Isbell, winning 6-0, 6-4.
The presentation of the trophies was made by the Jamie Willson who made reference to the high standard of play throughout the Competition and to the hard work and organising involvement of the Event Management Team.
Thorpe Bay LTC were thanked as the most generous hosts in allowing the use of their facilities, on what was a great day for quality Men’s Doubles Tennis.
Graham Ray
Essex Tennis Team Selector – Performance Officer & Organiser.