Junior Open Singles Championships 2010
Aug 20, 2010 - Aug 22, 2010 The Queen's Club P C Weaver
JUNIOR SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sponsored by Neptune
The Queens Club 20th-22nd August 2010
By Paul Weaver
The British Junior Real Tennis Championships were held at Queens Club over the week-end of 20th – 22nd August. Over 50 young players from many different clubs plus 2 from France competed against each other for the coveted titles.
The under 12’s section was wide open this year with an influx of very young players including Max Jones who at 6 years old became the events youngest ever competitor. The round robin groups produced finalists Josh Armstrong (Radley) and Huw Thomas (Seacourt). In the final, Huw powered his way to a comprehensive 6-0 win. There was also an Under 12 Girls Plate Final in which Anna Willis (Seacourt) bt Lily-Mae Jones (Seacourt) 8-0.
The under 14’s was always going to be between the 2 strongest players in the section Charlie Braham (Petworth) & Sam Willis (Seacourt). As predicted they did meet in the final and it turned out to be the most competitive match of the tournament. In an incredibly close fought match Charlie finally came out on top winning 5/6 6/4 6/3.
Lewis Williams (Prested) reached the final of the Under 16’s for the second year running and this time he was more successful beating the fast improving Levi Gale from Hyde 6/2 6/1 to take the title.
There was also an Under 16 Girls plate final which brought together friends and rivals Jess Garside (Seacourt) & Tara Lumley (Holyport). This turned out to be a great match with Jess just winning 8/7 having been behind for nearly the whole match. These two are undoubtedly going to be stars of the future in the ladies game and Claire Vigrass had really better keep a close eye on them both.
It was also better luck this year for John Lumley (Radley) who got over his defeat last year with a comprehensive victory over Neil Mackenzie (Hyde) winning 6/1 6/2 in the final to take the Under 18 Salver.
All in all the standard of the junior game continues to rise and this year may well be remembered as the year that a new generation of youngsters appeared in the under 12 section, many of whom will go on to win titles in the future. Once again thanks must go out to Neptune for their sponsorship and support and to the Queens Club for hosting the event.
Results
Under 12’s Girls Plate Anna Willis (Seacourt) bt Lily-Mae Jones (Seacourt) 8/0
Under 12’s Final Huw Thomas (Seacourt) bt Josh Armstrong (Radley) 6/0
Under 14’s Final Charlie Braham (Petworth) bt Sam Willis (Seacourt) 5/6 6/4 6/3
Under 16’s Girls Plate Jess Garside (Seacourt) bt Tara Lumley (Holyport) 8/7
Under 16’s Final Lewis Williams (Prested) bt Levi Gale (Hyde) 6/2 6/1
Under 18’s Final John Lumley (Holyport) bt Neil Mackenzie (Hyde) 6/1 6/2
