15 year old Anna Cheska wins her first senior title and Tom Kisiel adds to his impressive singles record
The finals of 29 events were played out at the Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC) over the weekend of 30th/31st July. The championships had over 300 entries for the Level (Open), 35+, veteran, super-veteran, and handicap events played over 9 days. We were fortunate to have very good weather throughout the Championships making the conditions almost perfect for players and the many spectators who supported them.
On Saturday, 15 year old Anna Cheska (Greenfields Tennis Club) won her first senior title beating Kerry Pollard (Roundhill Tennis Club) who was defending the title having won it in 2015 for the twelfth time. This was a repeat of one of the 2015 semi-finals and Anna showed how much she has improved over the last year in her all-round game, showing great skill and maturity in her choice of shots and on-court temperament. She came into the championships having recently reached her first senior final of a British Tour Event in Nottingham. We hope to see her continue to improve over the next few years and challenge the record set by Kerry.
The Men’s Doubles was won by the Number 3 Seeds who are a new pairing of coach and 14 year old pupil,Tom Kisiel (Carisbrooke) and Alex Solonenko ( LFE & Carisbrooke) who beat the 1st Seeds and title holders Jonny Cloke (LLTC) and Sam Preston (Carisbrooke ). This was a great contest of fierce serving, driving and volleying; very entertaining tennis, both teams showing great skills at the net and good communication between the players. Cloke and Preston made an impressive start and looked to overpower the new pairing but Kisiel and Solonenko raised their game to take the second set. The final set was very tight with them winning in a tie break having saved a match point. The score of 1/6, 6/4, 7/6 gives some indication of how close the match was.
On Sunday the Men’s Singles Final featured 18 year old Barnaby Thorold (Carisbrooke) the Number 1 seed playing in his first senior championship. His opponent was the County Captain and 4th seed Tom Kisiel (Carisbrooke), his coach. This was Tom’s 9th consecutive final winning for the past 8 years. Both players had played well to reach the final having their toughest matches at the quarter final stage. The first set was very tight and competitive. Barnaby was able to show his power and accuracy of serving and hit impressive winners when given the opportunity. However, Tom’s experience showed in taking the first set on a tie-break. In the second set Tom’s consistency and accuracy in both attack and defense proved telling as Barnaby increased his errors as he tried to shorten the rallies and to go for winning shots with Tom winning 7/6, 6/1.
The Women’s Doubles final was between the top seeds Rebecca Scrivins and Tory Bullock, both of Loughborough LTC and the second seeds from Hamilton TC, Charlotte Griffin and Corinne Blythe, all players having represented the county at County Week. Rebecca and Tory were very attacking from the start showing their sharpness and fierce hitting and overwhelmed their opponents taking it without losing a game. The second set was much more competitive with both pairs demonstrating their power and control from the back of the court with great volleying and smashing around the net however Rebecca and Tory prevailed to win 6/0, 6/4.
The Mixed Doubles final was won by the 2014 champions Rebecca Scrivins (Loughborough LTC) and Sam Preston (Carisbrooke). They beat the new partnership and third seeds Christina Poserskis (LLTC) and Jonny Cloke (LLTC) . Rebecca and Sam showed their understanding and experience playing attacking and accurate tennis and never letting their opponents into the match winning 6/0, 6/4.
The finals in the other level events were fiercely contested as can be seen by the scores. These finals gave players and spectators the opportunity to see many of the Leicestershire senior male and female players who are regularly selected to play at international level.
. In the 35+ Mens’ Doubles title holders David Ireland (LLTC) and Chris Harwood (LFE TC) beat Chris Holyoke (LFE) and Steve Sharpe (LFE) 6/2, 6/1. In the 35+ Mixed Doubles Katie Wood and Danny Poultney (both Oadby TC), who had beaten the top seeds in the semifinal, went on to beat the second seeds, Shirley Fox and Ben Glass (both LLTC) 6/3, 4/6, 7/6.
In the 40+ Women’s Doubles Number 1 seeds Shirley Fox (LLTC) and Alison Ison (Roundhill TC) beat Beth Poulton (Roundhill) and Helen Shaw (Carisbrooke) 6/4,6/2.
Steve Stroud (LFE) had to retire through injury in the final of the 45+ Men’s Singles having taken the first set against his opponent Ian Thomas. Unfortunately this meant that Steve was unable to contest the two other finals he had reached; Jeremy Trafford and Richard Tutt (both LLTC) taking the 45+ Doubles and Ben Glass (LLTC) the 35+ Mens Singles. In the 35+ Women’s doubles the number 1 seed Alison Ison (Roundhill TC beat Mary Neville of Charnwood TC 6/2, 6/0
In the 40/45 Mixed Doubles top seeds Alison Ison and Jeremy Trafford beat Anna Randall (Charnwood) and Gary Van Der Byl (Oadby) who had beaten the second seeds Shirley Fox and Tim Davis earlier in the competition. The score in the final was 6/4, 6/4.
In the 60+ Men’s Doubles Holders Colin Ayling and Richard Tutt (both LLTC) beat Dave Hutchinson and Alan Brownhill (Both LFE) 6/0, 6/4.
Results in the Handicap Events.
45+ Mens Doubles: Martin Bailey David Lloyd) & Greg Wiltshire beat Martin Andrews & Mark Dearden (Birstall Watermead) 6/4, 6/2.
40+ Womens Doubles: Sarah Holmes and George Dryden (David Lloyd) beat Alison Trafford and Barbara Williams (Roundhill) 6/3, 3/6, 6/3.
Mens A Singles: Charlie Marsh (Syston Northfields) beat Amit Mistry (David Lloyd)) 7/5, 6/3.
Mens B Singles: Hassan Patel (Carisbrooke) beat Scott Wagstaff (Carisbrooke) 6/3, 6/1.
Women’s Singles:Caroline King (Oadby) beat Angie Yates (LFE ) 6/4, 6/3.
Mens Doubles: Matt Stevenson (Enderby) & Tom Lane (David Lloyd)) beat Julian Howard &Michael Palmer (LFE), 7/5, 6/3.
Wormiens Doubles: Amanda Lane (David Lloyd) & Wendy Barnes (Stoney Stanton) beat Sheila Colver & Caroline King (Oadby) 6/4, 6/4.
Mixed A Doubles: Craig Langton and Kate Langton (Victoria) beat Amanda Lane (David Lloyd) and Matt Stevenson (Enderby) 6/2, 6/3.
Mixed B Doubles: Martin Bailey & Vanessa Colclough (David Lloyd) beat Mark Dearden & Jo Joyce (Birstall Watermead) 4/6, 6/3, 10/8.
Handicap Mens Doubles Plate: Adam Sattar & Scott Wagstaff (Carisbrooke) beat Mike Minsky & Martin Shenton (Oadby) 6/3, 2/6, 6/2.
Handicap Womens Doubles Plate: Alison Evatt & Bel Poultry (Roundhill) beat Harriet Dixon & Hayley Smith (Syston Northfields) 2/6, 4/5 rtd.
Handicap Mixed Plate: Martin Croft (Oaks) & Pauline Graham (Charnwood) beat Michael Page (Victoria) & Daniella Page 9Carisbrooke & Victoria) 6/0, 6/4
Women’s Singles Plate: Beth Gadsby (LLTC) beat Martha Thomas (LLTC) 7/5, 3/6, 6/4.