Category D Open Championship (Level Singles for Handicaps 30-39) 2010
Oct 08, 2010 - Oct 10, 2010 Hatfield N Lloyd
Category D Championships
Once again Hatfield played host to the Category D championships for players between 30-39 handicap. As in previous years the event was well supported with a total of 18 competitors split into 2 categories, 30-34 and 35-39.
Category D 30-34
The 30-34 event this year was contested by 10 players, with a mix of old and new faces competing for the trophy. The early rounds went according to seeding with one exception when Martin Kellaway (Jesmond Dene) won through a close encounter with 4th seed Richard White (Petworth) 5/6 6/4 6/3. The 2 semi-final matches were differing affairs as No.1 Seed Simon Edmond (RTC) won through fairly comfortably against Martin Kellaway 6/2 6/4 and the other match proving a tight 3 set match with Steve Brewerton (Hatfield) finally overcoming Robert Dickinson (Middlesex) 4/6 6/4 6/0.
The fact that Steve had had the harder semi-final was perhaps to prove crucial as the final was also to go to a deciding set. Simon started much the stronger and more consistent of the two taking the first set 6/3. As in his semi-final though, Steve got stronger and more consistent as the match wore on. After a string of Grille shots, Steve took the second set 6/3. From here on though Simon was always in front and although Steve never gave in, he was unable to get his nose in front. Simon taking the final set 6/4.
Category D 35-39
The 35-39 event had a total of 8 entrants and unlike recent years there were no talented youngsters to dominate this section of the event. Much like the 30-34 section the seeds were set to dominate. In the top half of the draw it was an all Hatfield affair as No. 1 seed Silas Manhood took on No. 4 seed Louise Mercier. This turned out to be an epic battle which had been going for an hour and 20 minutes and was evenly poised at 6/5 4/3 to Silas when Louise sadly had a reaction to an old Achilles injury which meant that she had to retire. It was a real shame as it had been a fantastic game of tennis with both players playing above their respective handicaps and it looked poised to be heading for a deciding set.
In the 2nd semi-final No 2 seed Roger Cotton (MCC) finally overcame No. 3 seed Neville Day (Queens) 6/3 3/6 6/3 after a seesaw match which saw both players control proceedings for periods of the match and once again the standard of play was excellent throughout.
The final didn't quite see either player reach the standard of tennis they had each produced in their semi-final victories but was nonetheless a highly competitive encounter.
In the first set there was never more than a game between the two players and it was Roger who finally took the set 6/5. The second set saw Silas begin to assert himself on the match and Roger began to look as though his longer semi-final was taking its toll. Silas took the 2nd set 6/2 and smoothly moved to a 4/1 lead in the deciding set. At this stage I think everyone thought the match was over but Roger was to have other ideas. After a long game to go 2/4 he never looked back and fought through to take the set and the match 6/4. It was a superb effort and showed that you should never give up.
Once again thanks go to the Professionals Jon Dawes and Will Burns for their organisation and marking and to the Hatfield members, James Barlow and Steve Brewerton for keeping the players fed throughout the event.