Author: Gillian Sanderson

Once again, a considerable number of club members made the journey to Cornwall for the 72nd Penzance Open in 2022, the 26th year with our Club Captain, Steve Wynn, acting as Tournament Referee. And a great week was had by all with fantastic weather, lots of tennis and good company among old friends!  Congratulations to those members who reached finals.  Paul Moffat won two out of three titles on finals day, first off winning the Mens Handicap Singles then going on to win the Mens Handicap Doubles with John Colman.  Paul had to settle for runners up spot in the Mens Senior Doubles with partner Martin (Southampton).  Cally won the Ladies Handicap Doubles with partner Jackie (Penzance) in a three set battle.  Bad luck to Rowland Swain & Wendy Bristow who lost in the Mixed Handicap Doubles final and to Gill who lost in the Ladies Over 55 Doubles final with partner Bryn (Penzance) in a very close match decided by a championship tiebreak which Gill & Bryn eventually lost 9-11.  As usual, the tournament was brilliantly refereed and organised by Steve.

Success on Southend & District Summer finals day for some of our club members.  Cally Flinders & Sarah Jolley took both the Ladies Over 35 Doubles and Ladies Over 40 Doubles titles.  Sarah also teamed up with Paul Moffat to win a third title in the Mixed Senior Doubles. Congratulations to all of them! Bad luck to Dan Thrale who narrowly missed out in two finals. Dan lost the Mens Open Singles final and then the Mens Over 35 Doubles final with partner Graham Boosey, both decided by third set championship tiebreaks.

At the recent Leigh & Westcliff Platinum Ball, trophies and certificates were presented to captains/players of our successful teams for the last three completed seasons. These included our Ladies 2 and Mixed 3 teams in Winter 2021/22, our Ladies 3, Mens 3 and Mixed 4 teams in Summer 2021, and our Ladies 2, 4 and 5 and Mens 1 teams in Winter 2019/20. In addition, our Mens 1 team received the trophy for the Summer Jubilee Knock Out Cup competition in Summer 2021. Well done to everyone in our teams!

Great to see some of our own junior members reaching the final stages of events at the Westcliff Lawn Half Term Junior Tournament. This was a three day Grade 4 open tournament with nine singles events for various ages. In the 8&U Mixed Singles event, Finn Fordham beat Beau Moore, both club members, in the final, whilst in the 18&U Boys Singles final, Freddy Ward came out top against brother George Ward. Well done to all our club members who took part, and thanks to Graham for refereeing the event and to those members who helped with organisation and providing refreshments for competitors and spectators. For details of future LTA open tournaments at Westcliff Lawn, please visit https://competitions.lta.org.uk/find?Q=westcliff…

What a turnout for this year’s Captain’s Day!  About 65 members, family and friends came to the club at some point during the day to enjoy a BBQ lunch, social tennis in the afternoon and/or afternoon tea. Many were there for all three!! And in glorious sunshine! Many thanks to our club captain, Steve, for hosting the event, organising tennis with prizes for winners of every set played, and for providing a fabulous spread of cakes at tea time, washed down by prosecco! Thanks also to our BBQ chefs, Peter and Tim, assisted by Tim’s son Thomas, to Hazel for serving afternoon tea, and to Andy for manning the bar. A great way for us all to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Westcliff Lawn has held a first stage “Play Your Way To Wimbledon” tournament for our club junior members. The winners of the four events played now have the opportunity to compete in County or Regional finals to try for a place in the National finals to be played at Wimbledon later this summer. The 14&U Boys Singles was won by Callum Pettit with Thomas Cauchi runner up and the 14&U Girls Singles was won by Julia Davey with Thea Hawkins runner up. In the 18&U Boys Doubles, Freddy & George Ward were the winners beating Callum Pettit & Daniel Eldridge, whilst the 18&U Girls Doubles was won by Elodie Wainwright & Eleni Tryfonos who beat Julia & Rachel Davey. Well played everyone and good luck to all the winners at the next stage of the competition!

Great to see club members Freddy and George Ward benefiting from a doubles coaching session from Ken Skupski, current international player and doubles specialist. Ken visited Westcliff Lawn and spent 3 hours on court with the boys. Ken intends to continue coaching Freddy and George – exciting times ahead for the boys!

Another successful social event was held at the club this month – our French themed tennis and supper evening. Unfortunately no photos taken of those who came dressed for the occasion in blue, red and white, sorry! But some food photos instead – tartiflette and French apple tart. Thanks to all the chefs (Gill, Tom, Jane, Tash, Andy, Angela, Sheila, Andrea) and also those who helped Gill and Jane serve the food and wash up, plus our barman, Andy. Don’t forget to save the dates for forthcoming events: Thursday 2nd June Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday – Captain’s Day BBQ lunch, tennis and teas, Tuesday 21st June – evening tennis and food, and Saturday 9th July – summer evening event, details to follow soon.

During the Easter Holiday run of tournaments, club members Freddy and George Ward won the 16&U Grade 3 Boys Doubles at Gosling, and were runners up in a Mens Grade 3 Doubles event at Garons. Their success continued this month at the Grove Grade 3 Open Doubles Tournament when Freddy and George won the 16&U Boys Doubles.  And most recently, they came out on top in the Play Your Way to Wimbledon (formerly Road to Wimbledon) 18&U Boys Doubles event held at the club which gives them the opportunity to compete in the Regional Finals in Cambridge in June to try to qualify for the National Finals at Wimbledon. Congratulations to both Freddy and George and good luck in the Regional Finals!