Category B Open Championship (Level singles for Handicaps 10-19) 2010
Oct 01, 2010 - Oct 03, 2010 Hyde B Ronaldson
Category B Open Championship
There was a good turn out for the tournaments first year down in Bridport at the Hyde, but the professionals were out in force representing 65% of the field.
The tournament was divided into the 10-14s and the 15-19s.
10-14s
Peter Paterson had been seeded 1st for the tournament, and with a gruelling 3 matches each needed to be played over only 2 days it seemed like age and fitness might well be a deciding factor. When the dust had settled however, it was Simon Barker and John Prenn playing in the final the two oldest competitors by some margin. Having already played five sets each the veterans of the sport were taking their pre-match preparation seriously. Whilst John was eating sensibly in town, I was slightly alarmed to find Simon outside going for a little jog!
John got an early lead in the first and managed to keep a two game distance to make it 6/4. At 5/3 in the second John looked sure to take it, but Simon fought like a dog and snuck in 6/5. It became apparent that 8 sets in 28 hours was the straw for John at this point, as he managed to find the tape again and again, but Simon played magnificently to secure the trophy 6/0 in the final set. The Royal Tennis Court's club champion claimed another trophy.
S.Barker bt J.Prenn 4/6 6/5 6/0
15-19s
A welcome return to play for Nick Jury accompanied some fantastic tennis from relative newcomers to the sport in this section of the tournament. Louis Gordon had a tough match against the perpetual warhorse Alan Oliver, whilst the other finalist Darren Long managed to squeeze past John Lumley in the third set as well.
The final was much like that of the 10-14s. Louis managed to out-hit Darren in the first set and was not being punished for the Mac8 forces that missed. The second set played just like the first, but a few more nets from Louis allowed Long to pinch it 6/5. Whilst there was no lack of effort from the new Seacourt Pro in the final set, it started to slip away as Darren seemed the fitter of the two when it came (once again) to the 8th set of the weekend and he secured it comfortably 6/1.
D.Long bt L.Gordon 4/6 6/5 6/1