Lowestoft & District Tennis League Journal: Tennis is the winner as Moore & Faulkner retain their titles
The annual Lowestoft & District Tennis Championships covering the North Suffolk area were held at Beccles Tennis Club over eight days. There was a very good entry for the event with 66 players competing, a rise of 25% on last year. The event comprises of a mixture of Singles, Doubles and Mixed matches for all standards and ages of Club players. Thirteen trophies were contested for. The weather for the week was very warm with glorious sunshine.
The tournament is held in a very social atmosphere with a lot of spectators watching the display of great tennis all week from the first Saturday until the final Saturday. Eighty matches were played over this time.
Many present and past members of the League took part in the contest and also watched the high standard of play. The trophies were presented by Beccles club president Monty Montacute. The Suffolk LTA chairman Mike Watling made a welcome visit to the event and presented some of the trophies. He was impressed by both the standard of play and the increased numbers of competitors.
The men’s singles final was contested by the number one and two seeds.
Ian Moore (Southwold), who won the event in 2012 and James Brabben (Lowestoft Town). Ian defeated Conor Bligh (Southwold) in his semi-final match winning 6-1 6-0. James played a close match against Oliver Bailey (Beccles) winning 7-5 7-5.
The final was a very good match with a lot of long rallies showing the different qualities of both players; however Ian was able to win the vital points in most games and gradually overcame stiff resistance from James to win 6-4, 6-4 and take the title again.
The ladies singles was contested by Debbie Faulkner (Lowestoft Town) and Steffi Weinacht (Beccles). This was a great contest with Steffi taking the first set before Debbie managed to find a way to come back and beat Steffi 4-6 6-0 6-1 to retain the title.
The men’s doubles final was contested by the number one seeds Ben Hall & Stuart Brabben (Lowestoft Town), the current holders and the young pairing of Conor & Liam Bligh (Southwold). In the semi finals Ben & Stuart gained a narrow victory over Oliver & Trevor Bailey (Beccles) 7-6, 7-5. While the unseeded pair of Conor & Liam also had a close match with the number two seeds Simon Davey & Ashley Sonnex (Beccles) coming out with a win of 7-6, 6-4. The final saw some very hard hitting tennis in a close match. However the number one seeds Ben and Stuart came out on top with a win of 6-4, 7-6 to retain their title.
The ladies doubles final was contested by the number one seeds Debbie Faulkner and Sally Juler (Lowestoft Town) and unseeded Beth Drinkell & Carol Websdale (Southwold). In the final, Debbie and Sally finished with a score of 6-0, 6-3 to win the title.
The mixed doubles final was contested by the number one seeds Ben Hall & Debbie Faulkner (Lowestoft Town) and Ashley Sonnex & Steffi Wienacht (Beccles).
The semi finals saw Ben & Debbie (Lowestoft Town) play Mark Websdale & Beth Drinkell (Southwold) and come out winners 6-2 6-0. Whilst in the other half of the draw Ashley & Steffi beat Stuart Brabben and Sally Juler (Lowestoft Town) 6-4, 6-1.
The final was a good match won by Ben Hall & Debbie Faulkner (Lowestoft Town) 6-2, 6-2.
The restricted (limited to players in division 2 to division 4) men’s doubles final was contested by the number one seeds Steve Davies & Darren Poppy (Beccles) and Adam Roberts & Liam Websdale (Southwold). This was a very close match with the younger players Adam & Liam pushing hard to win but Steve & Darren came through to win 6-3, 7-5.
The restricted ladies’ doubles between Claire Webb & Sarah Groves (Southwold) and Sally Lambert & Desi Reed (Lowestoft Town) was won by Sally & Desi 6-3, 6-2.
The restricted mixed doubles final was played by James Harvey & Sue Kershaw (Beccles) and Henry & Isobel Blower (Beccles). Henry & Isobel in their first tournament were delighted to win 6-4, 6-4 in an entertaining match.
The veteran men’s doubles (over 50’s) was played by David Henderson and Philip Tye (Beccles) against Stuart Brabben & Peter Aldous (Lowestoft Town). David and Philip were able to win the match after losing the first set 2-6, 6-2 6-4 to retain the title.
The veteran Ladies doubles (over 50’s) was played by Linda Green & Sue Kershaw (Beccles) against Sheila Brabben & Sally Juler (Lowestoft Town). Linda & Sue were the winners in a very close match 7-6 7-5.
The 50+mixed doubles final was contested by Stuart Brabben & Debbie Faulkner (Lowestoft Town) and Mike Kirk & Desi Reed (Lowestoft Town). Stuart & Debbie came out winners 6-1 6-1.
Over 45 Men’s Singles This event proved popular with a larger entry than last year.
The final was contested by Trevor Bailey (Beccles) and Mark Websdale (Southwold).
Trevor had a walk-over to the final as Ashley Sonnex his opponent withdrew due to injury. Mark had a more difficult passage beating last year’s winner Andy Podd in a final set tie breaker 6-1 1-6 7-6.
In the final which saw contrasting styles of play Trevor came out the winner 6-3, 6-4.
Over 45 Ladies’ Singles Last year’s winner Desi Reed (Lowestoft Town) came up against Francoise Price (Beccles) and managed to win 6-0, 6-4.
Philip Tye the Tournament Referee supported by Alan Reeve the League Chairman were very pleased with the high standard of play and great sportsmanship seen during the event.
Philip presented a Special Award to Mark Websdale for his contribution to coaching in the area and for the good standard of play demonstrated by many of his young people who entered this tournament and competed at a high level.
Of the 13 event finals, Lowestoft Town Tennis Club members contributed 10 finalists, going on to win 7 of them
Thanks were given to Philip and Alan for their work in organising the event and for their contribution to its success. Beccles Tennis Club was also thanked for hosting the event together with all the volunteers who contributed their time to make refreshments for the visitors.
Sincere thanks again go to the main sponsor of the event M R King & Sons. With their support we were able to make the event a success for so many players and spectators.