Whilst Wimbledon rested, Henley in Arden Tennis Club served up exciting matches along with the ubiquitous strawberries during the Henley Club Championships. Over 50 budding tennis players entered the competition this year with age ranges from 11 and under to adults. The adult matches had taken place over the previous two weeks and the finals were played on Sunday 30th June. The quality of tennis played was exceptional and there were a fair few unorthodox shots performed by both the young and old!
The men’s singles final saw two fierce rivals lock horns for the fourth successive year at the Henley Championships. Rob West and Max Retallack have consistently provided entertaining and passionate game of tennis, and this match did not disappoint. West finally conquered Retallack 7-6, 6-4. West has reached the final the past three years and has never won it until this year. When asked about his win, Rob said ‘It is good to finally win, after three years of asking!’ Winning the tiebreak in the first set gave West the belief that he needed.
Another battle took place for the adults mixed doubles final, consisting of Neil Supperstone and Molly Eyre against John Hunt and Dawn Grennall. Hard hitting was at the forefront of this match and it was clear from the beginning that both
parties eagerly wanted the title. In the end, and with the crowd in good spirits (did the Pimms have anything to do with this!?), Neil and Molly won after Neil, the ever-popular coach, wowed the crowd, with a Federer-style shot through the legs!
The U16 category saw a two-horse race with both partners unbeaten until meeting in the final. Winners Thomas Walsh and Max Beishon played Harvey Knight and Oliver Didlick and won 6-3. This game all boiled down to unforced errors and a consistent serving performance by both Walsh and Beishon. The match was so close that deuce appeared seven times in one game! In the U12 category, another rivalry emerged as Louis Walsh met with Alex Evans, a battle which has featured in championships since they began playing in mini-red! Evans beat Walsh 6-3 In another fierce match.
After a thoroughly enjoyable championship, treasurer of Henley in Arden Tennis Club, Alison Pigdon said, ‘It is fabulous to see so many people enjoying great tennis matches, eating bacon butties and strawberries and cream and drinking Pimms!’ On behalf of everyone who was at the Championship, a huge thank you must go to all of the helpers on court and in the kitchen and extensive appreciation to Paula, Alison, Judith and Lucy for helping make these championships happen.
parties eagerly wanted the title. In the end, and with the crowd in good spirits (did the Pimms have anything to do with this!?), Neil and Molly won after Neil, the ever-popular coach, wowed the crowd, with a Federer-style shot through the legs!
The U16 category saw a two-horse race with both partners unbeaten until meeting in the final. Winners Thomas Walsh and Max Beishon played Harvey Knight and Oliver Didlick and won 6-3. This game all boiled down to unforced errors and a consistent serving performance by both Walsh and Beishon. The match was so close that deuce appeared seven times in one game! In the U12 category, another rivalry emerged as Louis Walsh met with Alex Evans, a battle which has featured in championships since they began playing in mini-red! Evans beat Walsh 6-3 In another fierce match.
After a thoroughly enjoyable championship, treasurer of Henley in Arden Tennis Club, Alison Pigdon said, ‘It is fabulous to see so many people enjoying great tennis matches, eating bacon butties and strawberries and cream and drinking Pimms!’ On behalf of everyone who was at the Championship, a huge thank you must go to all of the helpers on court and in the kitchen and extensive appreciation to Paula, Alison, Judith and Lucy for helping make these championships happen.
The full results for the Club Championships were as follows:
Ladies singles - Emma Lange,
runner up - Sue Withycombe
Mens Singles - Rob West,
runner up - Max Retallack
Mens Doubles - John Hunt & Bradley Smith,
runners up - Tom Lott & Tom Eastham
Ladies Doubles - Sue Withycombe & Karen Foort,
runners up - Heather West & Jenny Turner
Mixed Doubles - Neil Supperstone & Molly Eyre
runners up - John Hunt & Dawn Grennall
Ladies Singles Consolation- Winner - Karen Foort,
runner up - Angela Walsh
Mens Singles Consolation - Winner - Tom Lott,
runner up - Tom Eastham
Juniors:
Mini Red – Laurence Crossley,
runner up - Jack Quantrill
Mini Orange – James Price,
runner Up - Leo Bartlett
Mini Green – Alex Didlick,
runner up - Jack Clinnick
12& U – Alex Evans,
runner up - Louis Walsh
14 & U – Bradley Smith
16 & U - Doubles Winners - Max Beishon & Thomas Walsh
In addition we were able to make the following awards:
Most Improved Player - Jack Quantrill
Judy Wilde Trophy for best young Volunteer - Fraser Kent
Sportsmanship Award - Louis Walsh