The Annual ECLTA Leo-Lyle Men’s Doubles Invitation Tournament was held successfully at Thorpe Bay LTC, the home of the event, over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 6th & 7th July 2013.
The event was organised by Jamie Willson and Graham Ray and refereed, as usual, by Steve Wynn. The Leo-Lyle Trophy Doubles Tournament is one of a number of lead up events organised by Jamie and Graham, to the Summer Inter-County Grass Courts Doubles Championships being held later this month, where the Essex Men’s Team will be competing at this year’s venue on the grass courts of West Worthing, Sussex.
A full compliment of sixteen players participated in this year’s competition, They were divided into two group boxes consisting of four pairs played in an initial ‘Round Robin’ format. Matches were played over the best of two tie-break sets with a ‘Champions Tie-Break’ as the third deciding set if necessary. It was pleasing to see our younger players involved and thriving at the opportunity of playing against their Senior Peers. This year saw Thomas Pudney of Thorpe Bay LTC and Louis Lee-Allan from the Essex Golf and Country Club, performing at a high standard of play and importantly not being overawed by the occasion or the Senior opposition.
Local player involvement included Jonathan Lee, David Tubbs and John Western of Thorpe Bay LTC, Richard Barham, Matthew Pearce and Leon Smart of Westcliff Hardcourts LTC and the Gardiner brothers, Chris and Paul from Hadleigh.
Saturday saw the group stages being competed for and completed,
Group A consisted of Richard Barham and David Wright, Peter French and Lewis Thompson, Leon Smart and John Western and Louis Lee-Allan and Thomas Pudney.
Group B consisted of Chris Gardiner & Matthew Pearce, Paul Gardiner and Mark Klein, Jonathan Lee and David Tubbs and Saad Abbas and Judd Berg-Graul.
In Group A, Richard Barham and David Wright proved just a little too strong for their opposition in comfortably winning their group. In Group B Paul Gardiner and Mark Klein eventually ran out the winners in what was an extremely competitive and well fought group. A high standard and quality of doubles play was matched by the entertainment delivered by all the players.
The Sunday saw the Semi-Finals and Finals of the event taking place.
The first Semi-Final involved Richard Barham and David Wright pitched against Chris Gardiner and Matthew Pearce. Reversing their fortunes of the previous day Chris Gardiner and Matthew Pearce overcame the fancied Richard Barham and David Wright, 6-3, 6-0 to move comfortably into the Final. The second Semi-Final saw Paul Gardiner and Mark Klein play Peter French French and Lewis Thompson. After a runaway first set, Peter French and Lewis Thompson rallied in the second set but finally succumbing to the quality play of Paul Gardiner and Mark Klein, 6-0, 7-5.
On to the final, which proved to be the best match of the event. A highly competitive and charged match with the Gardiner brothers on opposing sides. The first set went to Christopher Gardiner and Matthew Pearce 6-3. Mark Klein and Paul Gardiner stormed back in the second set before Christopher and Matthew tightened their game and levelled to six games all with the inevitable tie-break. The tie-break was a tense affair with Chris and Matthew running out the Winners ten points to eight to win the match.
The Third and Fourth Place Play-off event proved entertaining with Richard Barham and David Wright proving just too strong for the evergreen Peter French and the up and coming Lewis Thompson winning 6-2, 6-2.
In the consolation rounds due to a car breakdown there was another ‘Brotherly Battle’ involving older brother, Thomas Pudney, against younger brother Edward, thirteen, Thomas played with Louis Le-Allan with brother Edward teaming up with South African Judd Berg-Graul. The height and age differences did not deter Edward from showing his skills off and equally pleasingly it was great to see him playing again after his career threatening back injury. We wish him well in his recovery.
The Event was superbly refereed by Steve Wynn, Club Captain of Westcliff Lawn Tennis Club. Steve presented the prizes to the winning players. It was fitting that on a day when Andy Murray won Wimbledon that Essex provided competition of a high standard to compliment his achievement.
Thorpe Bay LTC were most generous hosts allowing use of their facilities, on what was a glorious day for quality tennis.
Finally, we wish the Essex Men’s Team playing at West Worthing later this month, every success in their efforts to get back to top flight of National Tennis.
Graham Ray
ECLTA Selector & Organiser.