The finals of the Kent Inter Schools Tennis Competition were held on Friday 27 June 2014 at Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club. This was the fifth year that the finals were held at the club, which continues to be an excellent venue for the staging of the finals of this annual schools’ tennis competition. In spite of a poor weather forecast for the day the finals were not affected by rain and there was no need to restrict the length of matches, as was the case last year. The finalists in the boys and girls competitions were again of a high standard. By staging the finals at an established tennis club a showcase is provided for Kent Schools’ tennis and also fosters the important club – schools link.
In the competition this year Sevenoaks again dominated by winning four of the six finals. In the Junior Girls Competition Sevenoaks had a walkover from Benenden, who were unable to raise a team for the final. In the Intermediate Girls Sevenoaks beat Kings School Canterbury 4 - 2 in a very closely contested match. In the Senior Girls Competition Sevenoaks beat Kings School Canterbury 6 – 0. Congratulations to the Sevenoaks staff for producing winning teams in all three girls’ finals.
In the boys’ competitions, Sevenoaks beat Kings School (photo) Canterbury 6 – 0. In the Intermediate Boys Competition Judd beat Queen Elizabeth 5 – 1. In the Junior Boys Final Beths, fielding a strong team, beat Queen Elizabeth 5 -1. Congratulations to staff at Queen Elizabeth and Beths for being finalists for the first time.
Some schools in the Junior Competitions have had difficulty raising teams and I may consider changing this age group to include year 8 students for next year.
In the competition this year there were 87 entries from 22 schools, which involved 348 students playing competitive tennis during the summer term, with the finals at the Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis club to whom, on behalf of 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