A rain delayed start kept player’s ‘twiddling their thumbs’ in the clubhouse at The Northumberland Club on Friday, but just when it looked like play may have to move indoors, the clouds lifted and with a strong breeze helping to dry the courts matches were underway shortly after 11.00am.
The delay didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd who were looking to see if reigning champion and 5th seed Ashley Hewitt, could make it two Newcastle finals in a row. The 22 year old based at USN Bolton Arena, certainly didn’t disappoint, with his extra weight of shot securing the opening set 6-2. Hewitt, then got an early break in the 2nd, only to see his opponent, Alexis Klegou, break back to love for 3-3.
Just as the match appeared to be back in the balance, the un-seeded Benin player, was sadly forced to retire with an on-going injury.
Ironically the match on the next court had just finished in a similar fashion, when Edinburgh semi-finalist, Neil Pauffley was also forced to retire when trailing 7th seed Peter Torebko 7-5, 3-0.
Meanwhile, the doubles final on court 4 saw Marcus Willis, appearing in his 10th doubles final of 2014, capture his 5th title of the year.
Partnering Jonny O’Mara, the final was a repeat of the previous week in Edinburgh, and remarkably the result was exactly the same score, a 7-6(8), 6-1 victory . Even more bizarrely their semi-final defeat of Luke Bambridge & Liam Broady, had been exactly the same score as their semi-final in Ednburgh.
Saturday’s singles final between Ashley Hewitt and Peter Torebko is scheduled for 12 noon, with the Northumberland Club holding their own club championships together with a BBQ around the final itself. However, with the forecast of rain for the whole of the country it may be necessary to move play indoors.
Either way entry is free for spectators.