Joe Hall won both the 21 and under and the 18 and under singles events. The Davenant sixth former played stylish tennis to defeat his opponents. Hall showed greater consistency and concentration than hitherto and it is evident that he has benefitted from training at Compete Academy, the LTA High Performance Centre, at Redbridge Sports Centre. Hall’s powerful serve and solid all court game was notable in both of his matches. In the boys 16 and under Wells player, Tom Styles, came through from an unseeded position to win a thrilling final against the top seed, Ben Stevenson. In a draw of 36 players Styles became the first unseeded player to win this event. In the girls 16 and under Wells player Rachel Porter also defied the odds to get to the final. She hits the ball with considerable power and it was refreshing to watch her aggressive and positive approach. As her consistency improves she should do very well in the future.
Woodford Wells has now run this tournament for twenty seven years and the club is grateful to the principal sponsor Clarke Hillyer. Over 200 competitors took part in the week long grade 3 tournament and enjoyed good weather for five out of the six days. Tournament referee, Sheree Campbell expressed her delight with the quality of the competition and the sporting behaviour exhibited by the players. Fifty five players entered the mini tennis events and this augurs well for future years.
Results
Ladies21 & under--Nela Platkova bt Carys Gilbert
Men 21 & under--Joe Hall bt Nick Hilder 4-6 6-2 6-4
Boys18 & under-Joe Hall bt John Barker 6-4 7-6
Girls 18 & under--Anita Todd bt Nela Platkova 6-1 6-1
Girls 16 & under--Nephe Deviana Horne bt Rachel Porter 6-2 6-2
Boys 16 & under—Tom Styles bt Ben Stevenson 7-6 4-6 6-4
Girls 14 & under--Nephe Deviana Horne bt Heather Everingham 6-1 6-3
Boys 14 & under--Lemar Bartley bt Jac Davies 6-0 6-1
Girls12 & under--Erica Izatt bt Constandena Nicolaou 6-4 6-2
Boys12 & under--Finn Bass bt Sam Gough 7-5 7-5