tennis Fixture

Category G Open Championship(Handicap Singles for Handicaps 60+) 2010

Category G Open Championship
(Handicap Singles for Handicaps 60+)

Prested Hall hosted the Category G Championships yet again with a field of 16. To encourage players of all ability (above 60) the tournament is played off handicap. Despite this, only 2 travelling players made it down, Barbara Bush (Bristol & Bath) and Bill Macintosh (Newmarket). This left Prested members as a clear majority and therefore favourite to take the title. Players were drawn into 4 groups of 4, with the winner and runner-up progressing to the Quarter Finals.

pPrcentages would suggest, all 8 Quarter Finalists were from Prested with Graham Manning and Phil Sutton-Atkins the stand out players of the day Both of these players brought their gem onto the court for Sundays knockout stages and met each other in the Final.

The handicap for the Final was owe quarter 15 in Graham's favour and the closeness of the handicaps suggested a close Final. Spectators were not to be disappointed and although Phil got off to an early lead, Graham managed to claw his way back. Inevitably they players were tied at 7-7, leaving a deciding game to determine the winner. Phil played a flawless first half of the game but Graham was not to be deterred. After saving 3 match points, the players were tied at 40-40 all, double Championship point! After a chase and a change of ends, Phil slid a beautiful forehand across court into the dedans and threw his arms aloft in celebration. Graham, ever the sportsman, congratulated his opponent. Congratulations to Phil who was clearly very chuffed with his triumph. Thank you to all who participated and also to those who stayed on Sunday afternoon to watch the closing stages.