The finals of the Kent Inter Schools Tennis Competition were held on Friday 29 June 2012 at the Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club. This was the third year that the finals were held at the club, which once again has proved to be an excellent venue for staging the finals of this annual schools’ tennis competition.
The finalists in both the boys and girls competitions were again of a high standard. By staging the finals at an old established tennis club, this has not only provides a show case for schools tennis, but has also fostered the club - school link, which is an important aspect in the development of the game. In previous years the finals were held on school courts.
In the competition this year Sevenoaks School had outstanding success in reaching the finals in five of the six competitions and winning four of the five.
In the girls’ competition, Sevenoaks won the Intermediate and Senior Girls competitions, both against Benenden. In the Junior Girls competition Sevenoaks lost to Bromley High whose teacher Sue Churchill is retiring this year and a presentation was made to her.
In the boys’ competitions, Sevenoaks again did well by winning the Junior Boys competition against Queen Elizabeths and the Intermediate Boys competition against Sir Roger Manwoods. In the Senior Boys final The Judd School beat Kings School Canterbury 4 – 2 in a very closely contested match.
The last two years have been very difficult for Kent schools tennis due to pressure in trying to play a number of competitions in a very limited period. Additional bank holidays, bad weather and the start of public exams earlier in the summer term have contributed to more schools having to withdraw or give walkovers in this year’s competition.
In the competition this year there were 70 entries from 24 schools which involved 280 students playing competitive tennis, with the finals at the Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Chub to whom, on behalf of the Kent Schools, I wish to send thanks. Kent LTA supports this competition by providing balls and trophies for the finals and without this support the competition would not be able to continue.
Pat Braam
Competition Organiser