The Annual Bryan Watts – Eddie Kirtland Autumn Singles Tournament was organised and competed for by Essex’s top Senior and invited Junior players at Redbridge Sports Centre, over the weekend of the 13th & 14th October 2018.
It was a particularly sad time for me, as my dear friend, Jamie Willson the Essex Tennis Senior Men’s Captain, was not sitting alongside me organising the event as he has done for so many years due to his sudden & tragic passing. He will be so greatly missed by so many people associated with Essex Tennis. Essex Tennis are most fortunate in that Tom Higgins has agreed to take over the mantle of Essex Tennis Senior Men’s Captaincy, an excellent choice continuing the legacy of Jamie. Tom assisted me in the running of this year’s 2018 event.
Pictured: R - :L Winner and Runner Up David Wright and Marshall Tutu
In reference to the exceptional standard of play throughout the weekend, I congratulated all the players on their competitive attitude & fair play throughout the weekend. This annually held Essex Tennis event, has been run at the County Centre at Redbridge for many years and forms part of the overall team selection process for the forthcoming National LTA Senior Men’s Inter-County Winter Singles Championships, this year being held in Bath University where both Essex Ladies & Men’s Teams will be competing in Division 1.
Established Essex Tennis Senior Players competing included Rob Carter, Marshall Tutu, David Wright, Alex |Groves & the forever young Peter French. There was a most healthy inclusion of Essex Tennis’s Junior Player contingent namely, Anthony Wright, Jamie Bixby, Daniel Chamoun, Henry Hammond, Tommy Smith, Adam Groves, Josh Gilbert, Tom Young, Anthony Weingarten & William Butler. Other Junior Players invited but unable to play included the impressive Cameron Isbell & Ben Stanford who were competing in an event in Scotland, & Matthew Doe who was involved in an international tournament in Bermuda.
The Saturday play involved all players completing 2 matches with ultimate progression into the Semi-Finals of the Main Event & Playback positions within the tournament draw. Sunday meant that the Semi Finalists were Robert Carter, up against David Wright & in the second Semi-Final Marshall Tutu took on the rapidly improving Alex Grovcs. In the first Semi-final David Wright produced some of his best ever tennis to overcome his long standing friend Rob Carter, finally winning a tense 3rd Set Match Tie Break 10-8. The 2nd Semi-Final saw Marshall Tutu prove just too strong for Alex Groves winning comfortably in 2 straight sets. The score of 6-2, 6-1 was not a reflection of the closeness of the match,
The Final was a memorable match between the Senior Team established, David Wright & Marshall Tutu. It was played in a wonderful spirit & in my many years of watching this event featured some of the best play that I have ever witnessed. In a final 3rd Set Match Tie Breaker David Wright emerged the winner 11-9. Many of the Parents of the Junior Players & Junior Players alike remained to watch this highly entertaining Final, warmly supporting the players involved.
The 3rd – 4th Place Playoff involved Robert Carter & Alex Groves. Again, an entertaining match with Rob Carter proving just too strong for the talented & improving Alex Groves, winning 6-4, 6-2.
Further Singles Events of this type are planned and are already in the Tennis Calendar for February 2019.
This event again was well received by all the players & a tribute to the late Bryan Watts, a great supporter of Essex Tennis and fine player over the years, and current sponsor of Essex Tennis, Eddie Kirtland. In my closing presentation words to the Players & Parents I summarised Jamie’s major contribution to Essex Tennis. He will be missed by us all.
We wish Essex Tennis’s Senior Ladies & Men’s Teams every success for the November Senior County Event in Bath where wins in Division 1 of the Event would be such a fitting tribute for Jamie.
Graham Ray & Tom Higgins
15th October 2018