Despite a very wet Sunday morning, we went ahead with the Family Tournament, organised by our coach Kate Borthwick. Ten couples of assorted family members took part - mothers and fathers with sons or daughters, one grandfather with his grandson, and one cousin standing in for a parent who was abroad. The children ranged in age from 6 to 15, and the adults from 16 up to 70+! Ben West - age 6 and much younger than any of the other players - played very well, ably supported by his mother Emma. There were 2 groups of 5 couples based on age and ability, each playing the other couples in their group. The winners of each group then played a final. The eventual winners were Ben Palmer and his cousin Sam Green, who beat Caroline Wilcock and her daughter Harriette in the final. Many of the matches were played in heavy rain, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we hope to hold another tournament later in the season - hopefully in much better weather.
The club mens doubles tournament was held on Sunday, 29th June. Although there were not many entries, those who took part thoroughly enjoyed their tennis, and there were several close matches. The winners were Jonathan Sage and Mike Fear with Alexis Alexander and Michael Burrows the runners up.
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| Participants in the mens doubles | Jonathan and Mike |
The club ladies doubles tournament was held on Sunday, 22nd June. This was a round robin event, and although not many ladies had entered there were some close matches. Helen Garrett and Caroline Chisholm proved a difficult combination to play against and came out the eventual winners.
Despite a very bad weather forecast, our Open Morning on Saturday 19th April was a great success. We were very lucky to have just one shower and more than 30 children (and a few adults) came along. Our new coach, Kate Borthwick, was kept very busy coaching throughout the morning and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Kate will be running coaching courses at the club on Monday and Wednesday evenings throughout the summer term, and will also be holding tennis camps in the May half term and during the summer holidays. Go to Coaching for details of the coaching courses and an entry form.
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| Keen participants at our Open Morning |
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The club Mixed Doubles Tournament was held on Sunday, 16th September on a lovely sunny day. The tournament was a round robin format and there were some closely fought matches. The final was between Roger Gill and Marnie Watson who had scored 23 games, and Bob Lacey and Caroline Wilcock with 22 games. In the final, Roger and Marnie won by 6-2.
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| Roger and Marnie | Bob and Caroline |
The summer ball at Parmoor on Friday 15th June was indeed `A Magical Evening`. The guests were entertained during drinks and dinner by two superb magicians who performed amazing tricks with cards, balls, ropes etc. Guests were completely confounded by the dexterity of the magicians, who, even when performing at close quarters, made it impossible for anyone to guess how they managed to perform such incredible feats. During dinner one of the magicians performed an illusion in which one of the club members, Caroline Wilcock, was put in a box and emerged totally unscathed despite solid sections having been driven through all parts of the box - truly amazing! Guests danced to a lively disco, and while they danced were able to view videos of the bands performing. Parmoor provided an excellent buffet and the decorations, masterminded by Karen Holland, added a truly magical aura to the evening.
The club held a most enjoyable and successful Open Day on Sunday, 6th May. Children from as young as 4 came along to take part in the fun on the courts. Our coach, Calin Ursu, was on hand to give coaching, from basic ball skills to more technical advice for the competitive and enthusiastic older children. Adults too – one or two testing tennis skills forgotten since school days – enjoyed themselves as well.
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| Group at Open day | Keen boys work with Calin |
More than 25 children and their parents and grandparents took part in our Family Fun day in perfect summer weather. Some of the younger boys particularly enjoyed a competitive game of football, and Calin organised tennis games for all the children. Parents, some of them who hadn`t played tennis for some time, also enjoyed some tennis and everyone enjoyed a barbecue.
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| All join in the fun day | A young player hits with Calin, our coach |
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| Coaching on the courts | Toby and Ralph get the barbecue going |
The finals of the club tournament were held on Sunday, 23rd July, in perfect summer weather.
The MENS SINGLES final was once again between Jerome Poupel and Gayer Ridgway. Jerome won by 6-3, 6-0, although the standard of tennis was extremely high and the result very much closer than the score suggests.
In the LADIES SINGLES Clare Haslam beat Caroline Wilcock by 6-2, 6-1.
In the MENS DOUBLES Alexis Alexander and William Ingram played Henry Peplow and Clive Panto. Alexis and William won by 6-1, 6-3, although again the result was closer than the score suggests.
The LADIES DOUBLES was won by Lucy Markham and Caroline Wilcock who beat Jean Stockton and Adele Hemmings by 6-3, 6-2.
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| Gayer and Jerome | Caroline and Clare |
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| Alexis and William | Lucy and Caroline |
The Club Mixed doubles tournament was played on Sunday, 25th. The first rounds took the form of a round robin, with the two top pairs in each section playing a semi final. In the semi finals Roger Gill and Lyndsey Mann beat Alexis Alexander and Gerry Capps, and Ralph Stockton and Gay Bradbury beat Bob Lacey and Caroline Wilcock. In the Final Roger and Lyndsey came out winners over Ralph and Gay.
Roger and Lyndsey with their cup
Runners up Ralph and Gay