Category C Open Championship (Level Singles for Handicaps 20-29) 2014
Sep 26, 2014 - Sep 28, 2014 Moreton Morrell Sir Andrew Hamilton
Category ‘C’ Championships Handicap Ranges 20-24 and 25-29
A disappointing entry, due in part to injuries and holidays, meant there were only 8 contestants, four in each handicap band.
Category 25- 29:
Sue Haswell proved too steady for Nick Brodie constantly playing to a good length although the score line of 6/2, 6/1 was a little flattering. MMTCC Chairman Andrew Hamilton lost the first set 4/6 to Hatfield’s young assistant professional James Law and at 0/3 things looked bleak but he began to find a length on serves and shots into the corners to steal the set 6/4, However, young legs won the day and left handed Law stormed to a 6/2 third set win.
In the final he seemed to go up a gear to lead 5/2; Sue Haswell clawed back to 4/5 but Law held his nerve to take the set. Law continued to dominate going 3/0 up quickly thanks to some decisive serving and although Sue pulled two games back it wasn’t enough, losing the second set 2/6. James should now concentrate on ensuring he is in, at least, the 15-19 band, next year!
Category 20-24:
Tom Lewis and Simon Talbot Williams produced an excellent hard fought and close match. Lewis started slowly and soon lost the first set 1/6 with Talbot-Williams playing crisp and accurate tennis. However, Tom benefited from his opponent taking his foot off the gas, winning the first two games of the second set very quickly. Helped by home court advantage Tom pressed on, taking the second set. His railroad was particularly effective helping him to win a close third set 6/4.
Mike Henman found Nick Baker in good form in the first set but his lack of variety played into Henman’s hands. After squeezing through to take the set 6/5, he was rarely troubled in the second set which he took 6/2.
Henman was in irrepressible form in the final offering Tom Lewis a master class in the first set of controlled, thoughtful and unusually patient Tennis. At 3/0 he must have thought the game was in the bag against Lewis’s over wristy play. A loss of concentration gave Lewis an opening and he cruised to a 6/4 second set win. In the third set his lack of match play since May told and Henman was able to ease through to a 6/1 win.
There was plenty of good tennis played and Tom Granville was thanked for his accurate marking and fine set of tennis balls.