Forty boys aged from ten to sixteen took part in Cheddar Tennis Club’s four day grade 4 tournament during half term. Players came from all over the West Country, with some from much further afield. As this was a county level event the standard of play was predictably high and there were many excellent matches, including some extremely close and hard fought finals.
Local boys Kieran Davies and Charlie Beake both put in good performances in the 16U age group, but it was the visitors who largely dominated the tournament. In the 10U event Joseph Nicholson from Surrey narrowly defeated Avon’s Dominic Boardman in an epic encounter. Matthew Harrison, recently moved to Somerset from New Zealand, won the round robin 12U group and the 14U final was an all Welsh affair with Callum Findlay pipping Thomas Davies to the title. At 16U level classy left hander James Wagstaff from Gloucester came from a set down to beat Avon’s Gregor Bates in a nail biting three setter.
Tournament results:
10U: Joseph Nicholson (Surrey) bt Dominic Boardman (Avon) 4-1, 5-4; 12U: winner Matthew Harrison (Somerset), runner-up Peter Alam (Lancashire); 14U: Callum Findlay (South Wales) bt Thomas Davies (South Wales) 4-2, 4-1; 16U: James Wagstaff (Gloucester) bt Gregor Bates (Avon) 5-7, 7-6, 1-0 (10-1).
