* Category D Open Championship (Level Singles for Handicaps 30-39) 2023

Hatfield once again hosted the Category D Singles Tournament for players between 30-39 handicap over the weekend of 17th/18th/19th March and it was the biggest entry we have enjoyed for many years with a total of 24 entrants over the 2 sections 30-34 and 35-39.

In the 35-39 section 12 players in total did battle and things started well for the home Hatfield players with 2 of the 3 making it through to the Semi-Finals. Sadly things took a turn for the worse on Sunday with David Hudson getting a bit outgunned by Willem Sweet of Wellington 6/1 6/3 and Steve Brewerton narrowly going down in a tight battle with Gary Duncan of Middlesex 6/3 6/4. The final was a see-sawing affair, dominated initially by the power of Willem Sweet, who blasted his way through the first set 6/1. Willem’s level dropped slightly in the second set which allowed Gary to seize his chance and take it 3/6, only for Willem to regain his composure and form to take the deciding set 6/2 for a well deserved win!

In the 30-34 section Hatfield had done even better with 3 out of the 4 Semi-Finalists being home players but much like the 35-39 section that was as good as it got. This was despite Nick Brodie playing some of his best tennis for a while, in a very hard fought loss to Sam Corbett of Wellington 5/6 6/3 6/1. Sam had come through what was probably the match of the tournament on Saturday night, beating the number 1 seed George Parsons 3/6 6/2 6/3 in a match where both players played well below their handicaps and was the hot favourite going into Sunday. Hatfield were guaranteed at least one finalist with the all Hatfield Semi-Final of Mark Rayner vs Jonathan Fisher, with Mark eventually progressing 6/3 6/1 in a match that was much closer than the score suggests! Unfortunately giving away more years than he would like me to mention against his opponent in the Final proved to be a bit much for Mark who put up a great display, with some superb tennis from both, before Sam eventually prevailed 6/4 6/1 for what was again a well deserved win and meaning Wellington secured both the titles to show the excellent level of talent they have coming through.