Weather permitting, tomorrow should see the successful climax of the mammoth Hunstanton Tennis Tournament, a fabulous family festival of tennis with over 1,000 competitors I have now refereed for over 30 years. This venue clearly means something very special to me, though I never imagined that it was to prove such a happy hunting ground for our Suffolk Men’s Team, who have taken County Week by storm over the last two years and achieved successive promotions, propelling themselves into a heady Group 2 and putting Suffolk tennis on the map as a truly dominant force.
Skipper Jeremy Cowley, who maintained his fine form at Framlingham recently in capturing no less than five titles, clearly leads by example, his enthusiasm and will to win obviously inspiring both the County team and the equally successful Sports Club side in the Aegon National League. Justifiably proud of his team’s performances, a proud Cowley said,” This was a fantastic achievement as a team, with all pairs contributing. Let’s not underestimate what we are doing and what we are continually improving on. Thank you to all the team. Suffolk is rising fast and will continue to improve.”
A quality squad that can boast strength in depth is the key to success in this type of team competition, and giving their full support and more to Cowley were Matt Hough, Ashley Watling, Ben Smith, Matt Kirby, Myles Orton, Ollie Sutton and Ben Roberts-Law. Division 3 this year saw Suffolk Men entering unchartered territory, and with relegation not an option, a confident and optimistic side genuinely believed that another very special week could be enjoyed. To retain their status was the bottom line, though with Cowley and his squad, it has been proved “all things are possible.”
The achievement of Suffolk Men should not be understated, and the great thing is that this ever-improving side will, hopefully, be together for many years to come. Perhaps we should dare to set them the challenge of winning the Group 1 title at Eastbourne, and being the National champions ? Ashley Watling’s competitive edge is being sharpened with College tennis in the States, and he is forging a powerful combination with latest recruit Ben Smith. Jeremy Cowley and Matt Hough have become very hard to beat, especially when a crucial rubber is needed for the team.
The future is assured with top juniors such as Matt Kirby and Myles Orton not just being given their chance as members of the squad, but already contributing vital wins in the crucial role of 3rd pair. In last month’s vital opening match against Hampshire, this debut pair laid down a marker by winning a fantastic battle against their opposite number , putting the team 2-1 up after Watling and Smith had lost to their lst pair. Unfortunately his training programme prevented Kirby playing in the Closed Singles at Framlingham, though Orton lost to Cowley in a hard-fought semi-final.
Suffolk is not always given the recognition and support for its many impressive tennis achievements, though a look at the counties beaten by our Men at Hunstanton merely serves to emphasise just how well they have done to achieve Group 2 status. The Hampshire line-up included former Wimbledon player Chris Wilkinson, with victory over them on a pivotal opening day followed by hard-fought successes over Dorset, Middlesex, Sussex and finally the mighty Essex for the 2nd year running, securing a thoroughly deserved title for “the Tractor The team responded fantastically to the challenge of their toughest year, and it was a true all-round effort. Ashley Watling and Ben Smith had a great year and produced top performances all week, Matthew Kirby and Myles Orton produced a very mature display and picked up an amazing number of rubbers for a debut 3rd pair, with skipper Cowley and Matt Hough producing the goods when required. Ben Roberts-Law and Ollie Sutton provided real support despite not getting a game, though their chance just never came with all team members performing so well.
The team rightly celebrated after the Essex victory secured the championship, for the second year running, showing their sheer delight by spraying bubbly and enjoying a well-earned pint !! Captain Cowley, delighted but certainly not surprised by yet another great week’s tennis, added this final comment , “ A big thank-you to my team for their hard work, team work and top banter……..”Quango !!” Suffolk is rising fast and we will continue to improve. Well done boys, world class all round !!” And who could argue with that ? The future’s bright, the future’s Suffolk…………….
Great success such as this should be truly celebrated by Suffolk tennis fans the county over. The LTA are very much hoping that Performance Squads in our clubs will keep raising standards and see greater depth in talent coming through to finally give Andy Murray much-needed support, both Matt Kirby and Myles Orton great examples of that nationwide policy. Risbygate is a very active club in Bury St Edmunds, and they are looking for tennis enthusiasts of all ages to come and join in the fun, with both competitive play and recreational activities well catered for.
Risbygate has 4 hard courts in the very heart of Bury St Edmunds, two of which are floodlit, with coaching available for all standards and teams of all types competing in local leagues. Anyone interested should contact the General Secretary, Risbygate Sports Club, The Sports Ground, Westley Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RR (Tel : 01284 – 755143; e-mail: risbygateclub@btconnect.com; ; website : www.risbygateclub.org ) Risbygate have been regular supporters of the Suffolk LTA Inter-Club Doubles Competition, scheduled to be held at the Felixstowe Club on Sunday 4th September.