Bishop Sutton Tennis Club Tournament Finals, 16 September 2007

Finalists at the club's tournament finals on September 16

Sunday 16th morning and Bishop Sutton Tennis Club was a hive of activity as preparations started for the most important date in the club calendar. Leaves were being swept, windows cleaned, nets adjusted, umpires seats assembled, BBQ prepared, teacups laid out, tea urn filled, order of play posted.

By 1.15 all was prepared, players and visitors arrived the sun shone and the fun began. This year it was an even bigger event than ever, with BBQ serving 'Roddicks' and 'Federers', bar serving beers, wines and soft drinks, a fantastic raffle and the usual grand tea. Another introduction for this year were blue shirted marshals and barriers to control movement of spectators during match play, and while this was mostly successful, more 'Ironfist' tactics were probably needed to control the more determined pedestrians!

The junior players put on a good show, starting with the MINI's, who played a box format. This was narrowly won by Elliot Joyner who beat last year's winner Harry Battersby by one point. The girls singles was a real marathon, eventually being won by an exhausted Rebecca Cox with a 14-12 tiebreak against an equally drained Sophie Webb. The Boys singles was another phenomenally long match with Dan Gordon winning the final set tie break against Tom Hunt. Charlie Mitchell managed a two set win over his opponent Joe Gough in the under 12 boys. Isobel Hoy and Charlotte Wareham then had an exciting win over Becci Cox and Emily Boardman clinching the match in a 10-7 tiebreak. Finally the boys doubles was won after a long battle by Harry McDonald and James Blackwell against the two Joes, Gough and Williams.

The ladies singles between Sarah Lewis and Nic Scott got off to a fine start and was played in good spirit, eventually Sarah's convincing cross court forehands enabled her to take control and win in two good sets. The men's singles was equally good humoured and proved a real tussle between young coach Matt Thompson and men's captain Chris Keast. Chris eventually got the better of Matt's topspin and won in a tight three set match with some breathtaking rallies.

Ladies doubles pair Hilary Cripps and Suzie McArthur in their matching pink shirts managed a two set victory over Suzi McDonald and Nic Scott. The men's doubles went to Gareth Collier and Matt Thompson who beat Paul Jelley and James Matthews. The mixed doubles match is always a fun event and this year the battle was won by Lally Gibson and Mark Hunter against Claire Tadgell and veteran Steve Evans.

Malcolm Hanney, District Councillor and club member, presented the prizes this year. The special cup for outstanding losing finalist was presented to Steve Evans in view of the huge effort he has made over several years to play in a final. Many thanks to all the helpers, marshals, umpires, barbequers, bartenders, tea people, washer-uppers and of course the players, without whom it would be a non event.

Bridget Ironfist Rylance

RESULTS
WINNER RUNNER UP SCORE
SENIORS
LADIES SINGLES Sarah Lewis Nic Scott 6-2 6-3
MENS SINGLES Chris Keast Matt Thompson 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
MENS DOUBLES Gareth Collier, MattThompson Paul Jelley, James Matthews 7-5, 6-2
LADIES DOUBLES Hilary Cripps, Suzie McArthur Suzi McDonald, Nic Scott 6-2, 7-6
MIXED DOUBLES Lally Gibson, Mark Hunter Claire Tadgell, Steve Evans 6-3, 6-4
JUNIORS
GIRLS SINGLES Rebecca Cox Sophie Webb 4-6, 7-6, 14-12
BOYS SINGLES Dan Gordon Tom Hunt 6-1, 3-6, 14-12
BOYS SINGLES under 12 Charlie Mitchell Joe Gough 6-4 ,6-4
GIRLS DOUBLES Isobel Hoy, Charlotte Wareham Becci Cox, Emily Boardman 6-0, 4-6, 10-7
BOYS DOUBLES Harry McDonald, James Blackwell Joe Gough, Joe Williams 6-2, 1-6, 14-12
MINIS Elliot Joyner Harry Battersby 18-17