St Alban’s tennis player Oliver Tarvet had a hard fought win at the Powder Byrne Trophy Finals at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre over the weekend.
Seeded 4th in the boys 9&U event and competing against 16 other regional events winners the Batchwood Tennis Academy player started brightly with wins in all his three group matches to set up a quarter final with Norfolk’s Scott Whiting. A pivotal moment came early in the first set with Oliver serving at 1-4 down when a change of tactics paid dividends with two well taken volleys in behind his serve to reduce the deficit to a single point. Having unsettled his opponent Oliver did not lose another point to take the first set 7-4 then dominated play in the second 7-2 for a straight sets victory.
With three of the top four seeded players winning through to the semi-finals next in line was No 2 seed Louis Davey from Cornwall. With similar game styles both boys displayed solid technique and some deft touches at the net in a evenly fought contest. After sharing the first two sets Oliver edged out Louis 2-7 7-4 7-4 having made the most of his winning opportunities in the deciding set.
Staffordshire’s in form William Nolan seeded 3 was waiting in the final and with two recent three set victories over his opponent the omens again didn’t look good for the St Alban’s boy when he lost the first set 7-2. However with a mixture of solid ground strokes and some slower balls Oliver’s fortune suddenly change and it he who dominated the second set to take it 7-1. In a gruelling deciding set both boys were trading the ball well when William made an unforced error with the game delicately poised at 5-5 hitting a looping forehand just long. At match point William then netted to hand Oliver his first win over his opponent 2-7 7-1 7-5. Oliver was presented with a coveted one year equipment contract with Dunlop.