Club Championships Finals Day – The Results!
Despite the early rain on Finals Day, it didn’t dampen the spirits of this year’s finalists. There were nine titles at stake and some very closely fought matches. We started the day with the Men’s Doubles Plate, involving Grant Franklin and Anthony Hopkins who came up against a strong pairing of father and son in David and Charlie Bruce and in the Mixed Veteran Doubles Barbara Awbery and Shaun Fishburn won the first of two titles during the day against Gill Saunders and Scott Tunbridge.
The sun decided to make an appearance as the Men’s Singles got underway between Jonny Calow and Roger Lawson. There were some excellent rallies and good skills on show and in the end Jonny came out ahead in two sets. In the Ladies Singles, there was a repeat of last year’s final between Laura Reglar and Charlotte Laycock. Laura was able to retain her title during a very entertaining match.
The Mixed Doubles Match between Chiara Detsiny and Shaun Fishburn and Lucy Manico and Peter Lincoln was an enthralling match that went to three sets. Lucy and Peter took the first set on a tie break and then Chiara and Shaun came back to win the next two sets to retain their title. There was some excellent serving and volleying and the audience really appreciated the skills on display. In the Ladies Doubles, mother and daughter combination of Barbara Awbery and Rachel Kwan followed up their victory over the reigning champions in the semi finals to beat Lorna Whateley and Laura Reglar in the final.
At the same time on the third court a battle royal was ensuring between the Mixed Doubles Plate pairs of Charlotte and Nick Laycock and Gill Saunders and Scott Tunbridge. In the end, after two tie break sets, Charlotte and Nick took the title. In the hotly contested Men’s Singles competition, the Plate final was between McDonald Smith and Grant Franklin. Both great singles players, Mac came out on top in two sets.
The final match of the day was the culmination of another well contested competition in the Men’s Doubles. Jonny Calow and new partner Phil Hofmeyr took on the established partnership of Patrick Ryan and Roger Lawson. The large audience that had gathered through the afternoon were very well entertained with some great doubles. Jonny and Phil took the first set and although Roger and Patrick fought hard in the second set the outcome was a win for Jonny and Phil.
The afternoon was made particularly special by the number of people coming to watch and some wonderful cakes, brownies and flapjacks. Georgia McCarthy, the Club’s new Chairman presented the prizes. In addition to the tennis trophies, an award of the Vic Pocock cup was made to Di Mathisen. This cup, given in memory of one of the Club’s founding members, is awarded to an unsung hero. Di joined the committee this year and has been instrumental in helping Barbara to establish Pickle Ball as well as helping with the grounds and being on hand to meet contractors. All this, despite suffering a broken hip at the beginning of the year!
Winners
Men’s Singles – Jonny Calow
Ladies Singles – Laura Reglar
Mixed Doubles – Chiara Detsiny/ Shaun Fishburn
Ladies Doubles – Barbara Awbery/Rachel Kwan
Men’s Doubles – Jonny Calow/Phil Hofmeyr
Men’s Doubles Plate – Charlie & David Bruce
Veteran Mixed Doubles – Barbara Awbery/Shaun Fishburn
Men’s Singles Plate – McDonald Smith
Mixed Doubles Plate – Charlotte & Nick Laycock
Veteran Ladies Doubles – To be completed
