After such a scorching summer, during which rainfall became but a distant memory, it was on a disappointingly damp August Sunday morning that 50 veteran ladies nevertheless descended on Dinas Powis Tennis Club for the third annual Shirley May James Memorial Doubles Tournament. Most of the familiar faces were there, and this year we welcomed some new participants to the event - one of them having travelled from across the border!
But with complete disregard for the inclement weather, everyone got stuck in with customary enthusiasm and, by the end of the day, a lot of great, competitive tennis had been played - with 4 of the afternoon's box winners being determined only by game difference.
For the record, the winners were as follows:
Group F - Lynne O’Neil and Jo Keene
Group E - Val Dixon and Marion
Group D - Sybil Upton and Elin Morris
Group C - Mary Hallchurch and Jane Hughes
Group B - Val Alder and Kate Johnson
The overall winners were Freda Emery and Julie Collins (DInas Powis), who won by a single game from Jane Allen and Sarah Keogh (Haverfordwest). Annette Roberts and Jenny Burrows (Swansea) came a close third. The battle for the winners' prize produced some quite excellent tennis.
This year's SMJ Sportsperson award was presented to Joyce Langham. This was in recognition of Joyce’s contribution over many years to Welsh Tennis and, in particular, to veterans tennis. With her unfailing sportsmanship in the heat of battle, Joyce is a great role-model for young tennis players everywhere.
The raffle raised £120 that will be donated in Shirley’s memory to the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity in Pembrokeshire.
Once again, we are so grateful to Dinas Powis Tennis Club for hosting the event and also to Freda and her team for providing the quite excellent lunch that was enjoyed by all.
Finally, after another enjoyable day of competitive tennis, all of which was played in a great spirit, I'd like to thank all the players who turned up to support the event. Whatever the results in the actual matches, to my mind, every one of you were winners that day.
Liz Singer
If anyone would like to be notified of future veteran ladies tournaments, please email me.
lizsinger22@gmail.com