All Category Results & Reports
Category B Tournaments 10-14 and 15-19
Cambridge University Real Tennis Club 5-7 October 2007
RESULTS
Handicap 10-14
Winner: Craig Greenhalgh Runner-up: Kevin King
Handicap 15-19
Winner: Hugh Tomlinson Runner-up: Scott Blaber
For complete set of results ......... click here
Generous sponsorship by John Evans and The Answering Service provided the Cambridge Club with the opportunity to attract Professionals and Amateurs from around the Country to compete in the two tournaments. A social event (tutored Salsa Dancing on the Saturday night) that also included club members and University students provided first-round losers with another reason for staying, and all those who did not lift the title had the excuse of dance-induced exhaustion.
In the top half of the 15-19 draw there were many close matches: Robert Hird defeated Nick Brown in 3 close sets. Scott Blaber overcame the stylish pro from Jesmond, Peter Wiegand, after an excellent first set, and then progressed to the final after defeating Hird in another 3-setter.
In the bottom half of the draw the defending champion, Hugh Tomlinson, was too strong for James Watson and then Ross Brown, the visiting Scot.
In the all-Cambridge final the first set should have gone to Blaber but his commitment to a strict summer of training didn’t prepare him for the sheer determination and focus of Hugh Tomlinson, who retained his title, winning 6-5, 6-3.
In the bottom half of the 10-14 draw Simon Barker joined a collection of young players with the potential to achieve a scratch handicap. Barker fought hard and improved through his match against Craig Greenhalgh but eventually succumbed 6/2, 6/5. Adam Player versus Paul Knox, followed by Player versus Greenhalgh, were excellent spectacles: Player defeated Knox 6/4, 6/5 but lost by a similar margin to Greenhalgh.
There were some close contests in the top half of the draw too, but tired legs were often apparent, making matches in the latter stages of the tournament surprisingly one-sided. Alistair MacKeown defeated Alan Oliver in 3 well-fought sets but was a weakened man against Kees Ludekens in his next round, losing in straight sets. Ludekens could not cope with Kevin King when the score was 5-6, 6-5, losing the third set 6/2.
A final between Greenhalgh and King was obviously a battle between youth and experience. King had previously shown his superb array of serves and a canny ability to pace himself through the duration of a match, but the benefit of his years did not prevent Greenhalgh from dominating the first set with excellent court speed and accuracy with his shots. After a one-sided 6/0 score in the first set, King was determined to come back, and he did, but at 3-all it was all Greenhalgh. He won the match and the Championship 6/0, 6/3.
Category C Tournaments 20-24 and 25-29
Moreton Morrell 4-7 October 2007
After a short break, the Category C tournaments returned to Moreton Morrell in 2007 and the Club was rewarded with an excellent standard of tennis in which over 50% of matches went to three sets.
25-29 handicap range: Highlight of the first round matches was the one between Hyde House’s Mark Mathias and visiting American, Ryan Carey. Definitely a player for the future, Mathias squeezed home 5/6, 6/4, 6/5. Moreton Morrell’s Martin Rogers defeated Newmarket youngster James McEwan in three sets, MMTCC’s Vice Chairman David Bryant worked hard for his 6/5, 6/3 victory over MCC stalwart Ronald Paterson and MMTCC Chairman and Chairman of the T&RA Tennis Committee Andrew Hamilton overcame Chris Swan of Petworth in a close contest.
In the quarter finals, Hamilton was made to work hard for his 6/5, 6/2 victory by Robin Barlow (Manchester) , Mathias cruised past Chris Herbert 6/4, 6/0, Rogers triumphed in another three setter and Bryant proved too strong for Leamington’s Richard Yorke- Long.
In the semi-finals, Andrew Hamilton was severely tested by Mark Mathias and a 37 year age differential. Mathias had only played for nine months previously- however, forty years of play at MMTCC saved the day for Hamilton in a closely fought three sets. In the other semi, Rogers’s steady play scuppered another chance for Bryant to win his first real tennis trophy. Unfortunately Rogers was suffering from a bruised foot and bad back as a result of his earlier endeavours and Hamilton’s constant cut shots to the corners in the final proved too much for him.
20-24 handicap range: In the first round Freddie Adam triumphed in a three set match. MMTCC’s Secretary John Miller struggled to come to terms with the questions posed by the youth and pace of Holyport’s assistant professional Andy Chinneck. Plenty of practice and training delivered two games…
In the quarters, Prested’s Assistant professional Adrian Kemp was tested by Freddie Adam in a close three set match. Sixteen year old Claire Vigrass also of Prested displayed her huge potential in a fine first set performance against Chinneck but failed to convert two set points and thereafter failed to win another game.
MMTCC’s Paul Wilson-Gunn and Oxford based Mike Henman entertained the dedans with a flamboyant and unorthodox match, Henman winning the third set 6/3. Adrian Kemp received a walkover from MMTCC’s under the weather Paul Holland. John Miller had predicted great things for Chinneck from his first hand experience but Henman with dash, panache and determination proved too strong, winning 6/5, 6/3.
Mike Henman maintained his momentum in the final when his ferocious forcing unsettled Kemp in two sets.
Mat Fattorini was thanked for his catering over the three days and Tom Granville and Jo Iddles were commended for their organisation of a most enjoyable and successful weekend and for their marking and the production of an excellent set of tennis balls.
RESULTS
Handicap 20-24
Winner: Mike Henman Runner-up: Adrian Kemp
Handicap 25-29
Winner: Sir Andrew Hamilton Bt Runner-up: Martin Rogers
For complete set of results ......... click here
top Category D Tournaments 30-34 and 35-39
Hatfield House Tennis Club 5-7 October 2007
Once again Hatfield hosted the Category D Championships for players between 30-39 handicap. This year we had a total entry of 19 players with 10 in the 35-39 and 9 in the 30-34.
The 35-39 started with a bang as Simon Mansfield (Queens) stormed through 6-0 6-0 against Peter Mawson (Oratory). Simon had previously held a handicap in the 20’s before injury and so looked as if he could be a serious contender in this event. This proved not to be the case as he next came up against No.1 seed John Lumley (Holyport). John is only 15 years old but has already got his handicap down to an impressive standard and is certainly a player to watch in the coming years. John managed to win a tight match 6/3 6/3 to progress to the Semi-Final and even at this early stage bets were off for the tournament. In the Semi-Final he came up against Marek Stefanowicz (Paris), who had survived a tough 3 set match to get there, and proved too strong winning 6/3 6/1 despite a determined display from Marek. The other Semi saw David Sarson (Oratory) beat Howard Shipstone (Moreton Morrell) in two hard fought sets 6/4 6/2. David had won this section of the event before and battled hard as always but John kept his cool throughout the match and rightly triumphed 6/3 6/4 to take the title. He will probably get sick of comparisons to his parents but there is no doubt plenty of both Colin and Penny in the way he plays, especially in his coolness under pressure and his determination to win.
The 30-34 saw two familiar faces to the event battle out an extremely well contested final. Last year’s winner Nick Brodie (Hatfield) and Simon Marshall (Burroughs) had played this event for the last few years to varying degrees of success. Simon had never won a match at Hatfield before this year but progressed smoothly to the final beating David Johnston (Petworth) 6/1 6/5 in the Semi. Nick was disappointed to still be involved in the Category D this year having won it last time but once again he bounced back to reach the final with a 6/1 6/3 win over Sav Cremona (Burroughs). Many would have favoured Nick in the Final given his success in the event and he obliged in the first set taking it 6/5. Simon though was not going to go out without a fight and with his confidence growing all the time he fought back to 1 set all taking the second 6/3. The final set was a bruising encounter that could have gone either way but it was Simon who closed it out 6/4 to take a much deserved title.
Hopefully neither Nick nor Simon will be back next year as they should both be contesting the Category C instead. If they do they may well need to look out for a certain Master Lumley unless of course he is already in the 10-19.
RESULTS
Handicap 30-34
Winner: Simon Marshall Runner-up: Nick Brodie
Handicap 35-39
Winner: John Lumley Runner-up: David Sarson
For complete set of results ......... click here
top
Category F Tournaments 50-54 and 55-59
Newmarket 6-7 October 2007
Handicap 50-54
Winner: James Miller Runner-up: Derrick Wells
Handicap range 50-54 : Despite the attempts, of the Newmarket professionals, to attract entries, it was a very limited field. The four entrants, were James Miller and Jeremy Fairbrother, from Cambridge; Bryan Eaton, from Prested; and Derrick Wells, from Newmarket. This tournament was organized on a 'Box' basis, the winner being decided on a 'first to 8' set. First on, was Bryan, against Derrick. Although Bryan hit the ball hard, Derrick was more reliable, and with 'home court' advantage, won 8-4. The next match was an all Cambridge affair, with James playing Jeremy. Miller's superior serving, using his demi-pique to advantage, and won comfortably, 8-3. This was followed by Derrick against Jeremy. Having won his first match, Derrick was confident, but this was short lived, as Jeremy was roused, after his first match defeat, and took the match with ease, 8-3. The match which followed, James against Bryan, was a battle of serves. Bryan liked to take his time, preparing to serve, whilst James, was keen to serve quickly, between points. James superior serving won the match, for him, 8-4. The penultimate match was Bryan versus Jeremy. Jeremy had been one of the tournament favourites, and was playing well, and won 8-4. The final match was between James and Derrick. Although losing 8-5, he only needed to win 3 games, to win the Championship, and so James was declared Champion of the category.
Handicap 55-59
Winner: Edward Fitzgerald Runner-up: Jon Fistein
Handicap range 55-59 : A relatively small entry, five only, meant that the tournament was structured, on a 'Box' basis, All matches were on a 'first to 8' set. The first match was between two home players, Jon Fistein and Andrew Gardiner. This was a good match, closer than the score would suggest, with Jon winning 8-4. Second on were two more Newmarket members, Edward Fitzgerald and Robert Bawden. This was an exceptionally close match, and at 7 all, either could have won. However Edward kept his nerve and ran out an 8-7 winner. The only non Newmarket entrant, was Jeremy Day, from MCC, whose first match was against Andrew. Jeremy adjusted, very quickly, to the court, and won the match 8-5. Next, Jon played Edward. Jon lead through the match, with Edward playing 'catch-up', and with the match poised at 7 all, Edward's excellent retrieving, gave him the advantage, and he won 8-5. Robert and Jeremy, played next. Robert, who had lost his previous match, was playing well, and quickly took the lead, beating Jeremy 8-4. The first match, after lunch, was between Andrew `and Edward. This was another good match, with fortunes changing, and at 7 all, Edward's consistency, proved to be the deciding factor, and he won, yet another tight match, 8-7. The following match was between Jon and Robert. Jon, who had a good chance of winning the tournament, cruised through the match, winning 8-3. Next up, was Jeremy against Edward, with the MCC member getting good support, fro the other competitors. Again this was a close encounter, and after a very good match, Edward was the eventual winner 8-6. Andrew was next on, playing Robert. Andrew seemed to be the fitter, of the two, and won the match 8-3. The final match was between Jon and Jeremy. Another really good match, saw Jeremy winning 8-5, with Jon's legs, giving out, after a days hard tennis. The winner of the Championship was, justifiably, Edward Fitzgerald who had won all his matches. All his matches were close, but he had the ability to win the crucial point.
For complete set of results(pdf) ......... click here
top
Category G Tournaments 60 and above
Prested Hall 6-7 October 2007
A very small draw for this year’s tournament with just 4 players entering however this was not going to spoil the mood of the players who all wanted to win. We had three players from Prested Clive Turner, Rob Kemp and one of our many young superstars James Brown. Bill Mackintosh had made the journey from Newmarket to join us and make it 4.
So we started with the group stages the closest match was between James Brown and Bill Mackintosh. It was touch and go the whole way with conflicting styles on court! James young quick and enthusiastic while Bill was very careful and precise with the strokes he chose to play. Bill edged this match 6/5. The final standings were as follows:
1. Clive Turner
2. Bill Mackintosh
3. James Brown
4. Rob Kemp
So the final was between Clive and Bill it was a tight start the match finely poised at 2-2! However after winning a tight fifth game Clive pulled away to win the match and the championship 8/2. Well played to Clive who showed great ability on court with some lovely consistent strokes throughout the tournament.
Winner: Clive Turner Runner-up: Bill Mackintosh 8/2
to
