The Finals of the Essex Tennis Individual Competitions were held indoors at Redbridge Sports Centre on Sunday 22nd March 2015. This is postal competition which starts in October. The finals consisted of 16 events, of which only 2 went to three sets. Both of these were the 45 and over singles, where Simon Chesher (Westcliff Hardcourt), won an exciting match against David Lambe (Gidea Park). Sarah Ball (Westcliff Lawn) beat Lynn Leonard-Jones (Lexden Rackets & Fitness) in a close final.
Steve Russell (Redbridge) reached 4 finals and brilliantly won 3 of these, only losing the Men’s singles to Matthew Pearce (Westcliff Hardcourts). He beat Neil Taylor (Virgin Active Clearview) in the Men’s 35 and over singles and then paired up with Brian Roberts (Knoll) to win the Men’s over 35’s doubles against Kingsley Harris and Rick Klein (Virgin Active Clearview/DL Gidea Park). In the Men’s doubles, he paired up with David Wright (Woodford Wells) to beat Tom Perry and Luke Spooner (Spring Lane/Harlow) who reached the finals, after Rick and Mark Klein had put out the No 2 seeds, Matthew Pearce and Peter French in the quarter finals. Rick Klein, swopped partners to play with Brian Roberts and went on to win the Men’s 55 and over doubles against Neil Taylor and Nicholas Wignall (Virgin Active Clearview). Peter Burgess and Peter Mott (Drummond), having beaten the No 1 seeds in the semi-final beat Richard Morley-Jacob and Derek Rogers (Chelmsfordians), also appearing in their first finals. Richard and Derek had beaten John Frostick and Peter Temple, who had beaten the No 2 seeds in the quarter finals.
In the Ladies events, Emily Watts (Westcliff Hardcourts) lost the singles to County player and No 1 seed, Helen Parish (Grosvenor) in under an hour. Although, Emily did battle well, it was a double bagel. Emily then paired up with Matthew Pearce to beat Graham Boosey and Rosie Mowle-Clark (Thorpe Bay) to win the Mixed Doubles, both pairs making their first appearance in the Finals. Emily lost her second final with Mave Blewett (DL Basildon) in the Ladies Doubles to Faye Watts and Andrea Maughan (Westcliff Hardcourts). Maria Manning-Coe (DL Chigwell) beat the No 2 on the way to the finals and then Dianne Jones (Winchmore Hill), the No 1 seed in the finals.
In the Ladies 40 and over doubles, Cally Finders and an injured Hazel Wynn (Westcliff Lawn) lost to Jenny King and Sarah Walden (Essex Golf & Country Club). Sarah played with David Birks to win the 35 and over mixed doubles, beating Mark Shepherd and Dawn Davis (DL Gidea Park) in a very exciting final. Mark and Dawn, in their first appearance in these first finals, then lost to James Weatherup and Louise Baker (Virgin Active Clearview/Cranston Park), in one of the last matches of the day. Westcliff Lawn ladies losing day continued with Marg Rimmer and Gill Sanderson losing the Ladies 50 and over doubles to Jenny King and Kerry Porter (Essex Golf & Country Club).
The tournament was organised and refereed by Lesley Pitt, with help from Mave Blewett.
Finalists and winners photos
Results
Open Men’s Singles
Matthew Pearce (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat Stephen Russell (Redbridge TC)
35+ Men’s Singles
Stephen Russell (Redbridge TC) beat Neil Taylor (Virgin Active Clearview Health and Racquets)
45+ Men’s Singles
Simon Chesher (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat David Lambe (Gidea Park LTC)
Men’s Singles Consolation
Leon Jennings (Colchester Tennis Centre) beat Ben Clow (Hadleigh Park)
Open Women’s Singles
Helen Parish (Grosvenor LTC) beat Emily Watts (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC)
35+ Women’s Singles
Maria Manning-Coe DL Chigwell) beat Dianne Marilyn Jones (Winchmore Hill)
45+ Women’s Singles
Sarah Ball (Westcliff LTC) beat Lynn Lennard-Jones (Lexden Rackets and Fitness Club)
Open Men’s Doubles
Stephen Russell+David Wright (Redbridge TC/Woodford Wells) beat Thomas Perry+Luke Spooner (Spring Lane/Harlow LTC)
35+ Men’s Doubles
Brian Roberts+Stephen Russell (Knoll Lawn Tennis Club/Redbridge TC) beat Kingsley Harris+Rick Klein Virgin Active Clearview Health and Racquet/DL Gidea Park)
45+ Men’s Doubles
Peter Burgess+Peter Mott (Drummond LTC) beat Richard Morley-Jacob+Derek Rogers (Chelmsfordians TC)
55+ Men’s Doubles
Rick Klein+Brian Roberts (DL Gidea Park/Knoll LTC beat Neil Taylor+Nicholas Wignall (Virgin Active Clearview)
Open Women’s Doubles
Andrea Maughan+Faye Watts (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat Mave Blewett+Emily Watts DL (Basildon)/Westcliff Hardcourt LTC)
40+ Women’s Doubles
Jennifer King+Sarah Walden (Essex Golf & Country Club) beat Cally Flinders+Hazel Wynn (Westcliff LTC)
50+ Women’s Doubles
Jennifer King+Kerry Porter (Essex Golf & Country Club) beat Margaret Rimmer+Gillian Sanderson (Westcliff LTC)
Open Mixed Doubles
Matthew Pearce+Emily Watts (Westcliff Hardcourt LTC) beat Graham Boosey+Rosie Mowle-Clark (Thorpe Bay LTC)
35+ Mixed Doubles
David Birks+Sarah Walden (Essex Golf & Country Club) beat Mark Shepherd+Dawn Davis (DL Gidea Park)
45+ Mixed Doubles
James Weatherup+Louise Baker (Virgin Active Clearview Health and Racquets Club/ Cranston Park LTC) beat Mark Shepherd+Dawn Davis (DL Gidea Park)