David Lloyd Basildon held the popular spring tournament, during the February half term week, with a slightly increased entry this year. Essex players had a brilliant week, taking home the trophies in all but 2 of the events.
The standard of play throughout the week was excellent, as was the behaviour, which cumulated into exciting finals.
Pictured above: Evie Smart 12U Winner
The boys 12 and under event saw some excellent tennis, with both semi-finals being won in 3rd seed tie breaks. Ben Rowe (Redbridge), No 1 seed used all his experience to beat Samuel Constantinou (Connaught) and Ben Stanford, (The Riverside Northwood), No 2 seed beat Joshua Nelson (Redbridge). Ben Rowe then went on to beat Ben Stanford in the final.
In the 14 and under boys singles, Matthew Doe (Mountnessing), the number No 1 seed, who last year won the 12 and under singles, played well all week to win this event, beating Johnathan Price (Grove (Chelmsford)) in an exciting final.
The standard of the boys 16 and under event, was superb, with No 1 seed, Edward Pudney (Ipswich) just beating Gabe Nelson (Redbridge) in the 1st round. He then went on to reach the final with comfortable wins. In the bottom half of the draw, No 2 seed, James Benbrook (Hills Road) lost a tight match in the semi-finals to Alex Curaba (Harlow). Alex went on to lose to Edward in a tough match.
Darien Lamb 18U Boys Singles Winner
Darien Lamb (Westcliff Hardcourt), No 1 seed, came through to the finals without dropping a set. In the bottom half of the draw, David Mould (Deanes), No 2 seed, lost in the semi-final to John Taylor (Gransdens). John then lost a close match to Darien in the 3rd seed tight break.
Pride of place in the girls events must go Evie Smart (Billericay), (pictured above) who retained the 12 and under girls event, without losing a set. She beat Lucy Dawson (Connaught), who had beaten the No 2 seed in a close semi-final. Abigail Michelow (Clearview), (below) the No 3 seed, beat Nyah Kauders (Hockley), who had put out the No 1 seed in the first round, in a very close match. Abigail then went to beat Charlotte Imbert (Sevenoaks), No 2 seed in the final. Zuzanna Glowacz (Westcliff Hardcourt) retained the 16 and under girls singles beating Rosie Pooley (East Anglia) in the final.
Abigail Michelow 14U Girls winner
In the mini events, home player, Nathalie Marshall, won the 8 and under girls event, beating fellow player, Meia Singh in the final. Olivia King (Rochford) beat No 1 seed Mafalda Almela-Lozano (Batchwood) to win the 9 and under girl’s event in a very close match. Jessica Baxter (DL Southend) won the girls 10 and under singles in an event marred by a withdrawal. Kai Cowcher (Earls Colne TC) lost in very close final of the 10 and under event.
14U Boys finalists Matthew Doe and Jonny Price
The tournament was organised and refereed by Lesley and Ian Pitt.
Results
18U Boys Singles Darien Lamb (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat John Taylor Gransdens LTC)
16U Boys Singles Edward Pudney (Ipswich Sports Club) beat Alex Curaba (Harlow LTC)
14U Boys Singles Matthew Doe (Mountnessing TC) beat Johnathon Price (Grove (Chelmsford))
12U Boys Singles Ben Rowe (Redbridge TC) beat Benjamin Stanford (The Riverside Club)
10U Boys Singles Fabio Nestola (Hills Road HPC) beat Kai Cowcher Earls Colne TC)
9U Boys Singles Henry Procter (Ipswich SC) beat Jacob Hellier Theydon Bois LTC)
8U Boys Singles Reggie Edwards beat Metin Soyer (Basildon LTC)
16U Girls Singles Zuzanna Glowacz (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat Rosie Pooley (East Anglia TC)
14U Girls Singles Abigail Michelow (Virgin Active Clearview) beat Charlotte Imbert (Sevenoaks LTC)
12U Girls Singles Evie Smart (Billericay LTC) beat Lucy Dawson (The Connaught Club)
10U Girls Singles Jessica Baxter (DL Southend) beat Anja Schumacher (Redbridge TC)
9U Girls Singles Olivia King (Rochford TC) beat Mafalda Almela-Lozano (Batchwood TC)
8U Girls Singles Nathalie Marshall (DL (Basildon) beat Meia Singh (DL (Basildon) TC)