Jo Bond proved herself the outstanding competitor of the tournament, winning all three events entered, with David Howell and Gary Keens also doing well to appear in all three finals.
Mark Peters (MS55.0), Neville Reeder (MS70.0), Peter Aldous and Peter Brown (MD 55.O) and Phil Morter and Keith Palmer (MD 65.O), all retained their titles, with Keith Palmer (MS60.O) and Colin Stephenson/Joan Hassell (MX 50/55) improving on runners-up spots in 2010. Former Men’s county player Hussein Ahmed just pipped doubles partner Gary Keens in a high-quality 45.0 Singles Final.
Paul Matthews and Neville Reeder reached the 70.O Doubles final for the fourth year running, though just lost out in one of the day’s many deciding championship tie-breaks to Julian Corbell and Hugo Langton. Newcomer Jamie Friend, whose army work has brought him to Suffolk from Kent, was a worthy winner of the 35.O Singles, defeating top seed Gary Minns 6-7 (5) 6-3 (10-4) in an outstanding decider.
The perpetual trophies were presented , together with prizes, at the end of each final by Peter Mornard and former referee Gordon Blake, making a very welcome visit to the tournament. Hopefully many competitors will support the inaugural Ipswich Sports Club Veterans’ Tournament, to be held at the Sports Club after Christmas.
FULL RESULTS
MS 35.O : J.Friend bt G.Minns 6-7 (5) 6-3 (10-4)
MS 45.O : H.Ahmed bt G.Keens 7-5 1-6 (10-8)
LS 50.O : J.Bond bt S.Bennett 6-2 6-0
MS 55.O: M.Peters bt D.Taylor 6-0 6-2
MS 60.O: P.Tye bt D.Howell 3-6 6-4 (10-7)
MS 65.O : K.Palmer bt M.Ellis 6-2 6-1
MS 70.O : N.Reeder bt J.Royle 6-7 (6) 7-5 (10-5)
MD45.O : H.Ahmed + G.Keens bt H.Porter + D.Taylor 6-1 7-5
MD55.O : P.Aldous + P.Brown bt J.Quinton + K.Sutton 6-1 6-4
MD60.O : P.Aldous + P.Brown bt D.Howell + J.Lightfoot 6-4 6-1
MD65.O : K.Palmer + P.Morter bt C.Stephenson + G.Johnson 7-6 (2) 6-2
MD70.O : J.Corbell + H.Langton bt N.Reeder + P.Matthews 2-6 6-0 (10-2)
LD40.O : J.Bond + J.Taylor bt L.Woods + K.Caneparo 3-6 6-3 (10-4)
LD50.O : S.Bennett + J.Bond bt D.Donaldson + S.Harris 7-5 6-2
MXD 40/45: G.Keens + L.Woods bt J.Tallent + J.Hassell 6-3 6-3
MXD 50/55 : C.Stephenson + J.Hassell bt D.Howell + D.Donaldson 7-5 6-2