Seacourt Silver Racquet 2012
Feb 09, 2012 - Feb 12, 2012 Seacourt D Jones
Sunday 12th February at SEACOURT
Josh Dodgson (Petworth) beat Tony Hollins (Tuxedo) 6/4, 6/5 in a tightly contested final. A packed Dedans enjoyed a fine display of athletic recovery shots and stunning volleys.
The much awaited 39th appearance of the Silver Racquet got under way on Thursday 9th February with the qualifying event. The holder of the title, Louis Gordon had to qualify and did so with a fine win over Jules Camp (6.2 6.0). Simon Roach took on and beat Mark Drysdale (6.4 3.6 6.4) in a fantastic three setter match to reach the main event. Lewis Williams had a walk over against Andrew Knibbs to reach his first main event, apparently Newmarket operate on a different time scale to GMT! And lastly Neil MacKenzie played outstandingly against Kevin King ( 6.1 6.5) to also reach the main event.
Bathed in brilliant winter sunshine, the first rounds got under way and the tennis couldn’t have been brighter and the Seacourt loyal put up with a cold dedans as they knew they were in for three epic days of tennis. The first quarter final saw Tony Hollins and Will Burns go toe to toe. Both players were on top form, hitting winners from all areas of the court. Will got off to a cracking start and Tony just held on and managed to sneak the first set 6/5 Tony carried his momentum into the second and despite Will’s great retrieving and ground strokes couldn’t stop Tony winning the match 6/5 6/2 to win a place in his first semi final.
Both past winners of the event, Luke Danby and Louis Gordon are no strangers to each other’s game. First set nip and tuck and at 5 all 40.15 Louis looking poised to take the set but true to Luke’s fearless and attacking approach, held his nerve and put together three perfect points to secure a one set lead. Again 5 all second set and again 40 all! But this time Luke gifted Louis the set with an unforced error! Luke was visibly upset at the start of the third and Louis used his momentum to race ahead to an unassailable lead despite Luke’s best endeavours and won the third 6/4.
Josh Dodgson took on journeyman, Simon Roach in a huge match that had everything you would want to see in a game. Simon came in to the competition as a qualifier off a 20 handicap and was playing easily to a 9 handicap. Josh pressured Simon throughout the first and won 6/4 and raced ahead to a 5/3 lead and had five match points but failed to convert them, Simon upped his game to steal the set 6 /5 (40 all). The third set, Josh was suffering with cramp but still managing to find his earlier form and hit the targets and won the match with clinical precision 6.2.
The last match of the day was a well anticipated game. Under 21/24’s winner, John Lumley, took on Tom Weaver in a fantastic match. John was very commanding and aggressive but Tom’s sheer pace and determination counter punched those tactics and the match was very close in the early parts of both sets but John found the winning combinations to win the important games and went on to win 6/4 6/3.
The First semi final started at 10 am with Tony Hollins and Louis Gordon. Tony looked slightly nervous and Louis got off to a fast aggressive start and hit his targets at will to take the first set 6/4. A tight start to the second and Tony was hitting shorter angles to pull Louis out of position to open up the court with great effect and stormed the second 6.3 despite a late surge from Louis. Final set and it was imperative that both players got off to a good strong start. Tony had the momentum and a little luck and stormed to a 3.1 lead. Louis upped his game again and had points for 3 all but Tony learnt his lesson from yesterday and held his nerve and kept attacking the ball to win the game to go 4/2 up. 3 more incredibly tight games with impressive tennis but Tony won the vital points to win a place in the final.
The second semi final was highly anticipated by the crowd and John and Josh didn’t disappoint. The sets were fast and furious and John won the first 6.1 in under twenty minutes with a string of clinical openings. Josh battled back equally as well in the second and won the second 6.2! Josh carried on pressurising John throughout the third and ran away with the match 6.1 in the last.
The final was played off level and both players looked fit and fatigue free. Both Josh and Tony’s games are very similar in style and was too difficult call. The standard was very high with both players having to win their points, no gifts today! 4 games all in the first and both players knew the next game was crucial. Josh played a perfect game with precise targets and before Tony could regroup, Josh dominated the serve and took the set 6.4. The second set followed the same as the first but this time it was levelled at 5 games all. Josh certainly didn’t want a third set due to cramp in the early rounds but Tony certainly did! Tony went on the attack from the receivers end but unfortunately let Josh in with easy penthouse returns, which he dealt with calm control to win the title. 6/5.
Seacourt would like to take the opportunity to thank Robin Geffen of Neptune Investment Management for their generous support and all the Seacourt members for their loyal support throughout the Silver Racquet. Dan Jones
