The most prestigious junior tennis tournament of the year, The Essex County Junior Closed was hosted by Thorpe Bay LTC. Despite some tricky weather conditions during the week, the finals were all played on time in front of a crowd of some 300 spectators. They were treated to some excellent tennis.
The younger players had their matches first, where Edward Pudney (Ipswich Sports Club), also a member of the host club, easily beat second seed, Alexander Chao (Harlow) in the 12 and under final. The girls 12 and under final was a much closer affair, where Sherria Daniel (Hackney CTC) beat Winworth Goldman, also from Hackney CTC in a close three set match.
The boys 14 and under singles was a repeat of last year’s final. This year Andrew Berry (Westcliff Hardcourts) narrowly beat Tom Pudney (Ipswich Sports Club) in the third set tie break. It was a very exciting match, with fortune swaying between both players. Andrew and Tom, then joined together to play Alexander Dodd (Harlow) and Jacob Ducksbury (Chelmsfordians TC) in the 14 and under boys doubles. They won in 2 close entertaining sets. Andrew not finished for the day, teamed up with Caitlyn Hardy (DL Chigwell), easily winning the 14 and under mixed doubles.
One of the three best matches was the boys 16 and under singles, where Sam Bayda (Westcliff Hardcourts), the No 4 seed, had an easy run to the final. There he was up against top seed and defending champion Jared Linzell (Woodford Wells). The score does not do justice to the exciting match, which Sam won.
Last year, Tom Styles (Woodford Wells) was awarded a trophy as the most improved player of the Tournament, He more than justified this by winning the 18 and under singles event, beating the 4th, 5th and 8th seeds on the way to the final. In the final he beat Sam Bayda, the No 3 seed. Sam was awarded the trophy that Tom won last year, as the most improved player.
Tom then teamed up with Robert Collins (Great Baddow) to win a close match against Jared Linzell (Woodford Wells) and Ieuan Lister (Mountnessing).
The Men’s 21 and under singles was one of the other quality matches, where, Thorpe Bay members, Harry Randle and David Watson, entertained the crowd for 2 hours, with David winning convincingly in the 3rd set.
Erica Izatt (The Connaught) had a brilliant tournament. As the 2nd seed in the 14 under girls, she had an easy run into the finals. There she met, Worthy Goldman (Hackney CTC), the No 1 seed, who she beat in two sets. Erica, also reached the final of the girls 16 and under singles. There she lost a close match to No 1 seed, Alexandra Jones (Grove (Saffron Walden). The girls 18 and under event was won by Eva Dench (Cranston Park). Due to illness, Cary Gilbert (Hutton & Shenfield) had to retire after the 1st set and was unable to play the 21 and Ladies singles. As this was a round robin, Georgia Wheatley (Thorpe Bay) was placed 2nd.
As is the practice at the Essex Closed, further awards were made. They were: -
Referees Trophy Darien Lamb
Most improved under 14 player William Thomson
We would like to add a big thank you to all the volunteers at Thorpe Bay LTC who without them, this Tournament would not have happened. The tournament was refereed by Mark Bragoli and, Lesley and Ian Pitt.
Results from the Tournament
See the photographs