New Years Tournament 2018
Competitive Junior Tennis started in fine style in the new year at York Tennis Club as players gathered for Mini Tennis Red, Orange and Green ball competitions as well as under 12 and under 16 hard ball competitions.
Mini Tennis Red
The mini tennis red ball competition saw impressive debut performances from Thomas Titchener and Will Parry, both just 6 and showing great promise and tenancity which will hold them in good stead for the future. The final of the red ball competition saw Nathan Falgate take on Dylan Lloyd. Nathan dominated in the early going with some impressive forehands, but as the match progressed the times were a chaning and Dylan ultimately had too much consistency and court craft, running out the winner in 2 tightly fought champion tie breaks.
The standard of the event was very impressive and we hope to see more Red ball competitions at the club in the next few months.
Mini Tennis Orange
The mini tennis orange event saw a promising debut performances from Faryat Nasrin and Samuel Kanakaraj. Nathan Falgate and Oliver Hossenian ultimately finished in joint second both showing great promise and good attacking play. The winner was again the inconquerable Dylan Lloyd making it a clean sweep for him in both orange and red ball events.
Mini Tennis Green
The mini tennis green event saw a large high calibre field take part in full court tennis combat. Congratulations on Ffion Lloyd on a good debut performance. Oliver Hossenian playing up in green impressed and one of his best matches was the tight encounter with Tilly Glover, producing some great power and serves and forehands before ultimately going down to tenancious Tilly 4-2 in a fast 4 contest. Lucy Titchener making her green ball debut won 2 out of her 5 fast 4 matches. Charlie Skelly produced the performance of the tournament in the match of the event winning a sudden death shoot out with Tilly Glover edging her out 4-3, ultimately however Tilly scored 15 overall beating Charlie to second place by 1 point and finishing as the top girl in the event. The overall winner was the highly impressive Tristan Pemberton whose array of serving and attacking play proved too hot to handle for the other competitors as he raced to his first green ball title.
A special thank you to David Moore who ran this event.
Under 12
The under 12 event saw impressive debut performances from Dougie and Lawrence Brewer, as well as Oliver Callaghan who finished in 3rd position. Tilly Glover bravely stepped up to hard ball competition and played well throughout. The deciding match was ultimately between Alex Nyeugen and Tristan Pemberton. An impressive contest of serving and attacking play. Tristan's play and court movement impressed even his harshest critic, his mum, so well done Tristan, you've done something I never managed.
Ultimately Alex's consistency and consistent ground strokes proved decisive and he took the medal.
Under 16
It was fantastic to see such a strong field in the Under 16 event. Oisin Papadopolous impressed wielding his forehand and serve like Thor's hammer. Harry Hall and Archie Glover both showing exemplary open stance backhands and producing a great contest. Pete woodmansy made an impressive tournament debut with some Federer like 1 handed backhands.
Ultimately after some great matches, the decisive results proved to be the mighty Benjamin Finch overcoming Finley Richardson in a thrilling contest 4-3, winning in a fast 4 deciding tiebreak. Angus Robinson, also overcame Finley in a tight match, meaning the tenancious and impressive Finley finished third.
Ben Finch showed great court craft and match experience overcoming Angus Robinson who finished a very impressive second. It was a great comeback performance from Angus and we hope he can have a great season this year after some frustrating injury time out last year.
Ultimately the mighty Benjamin Finch proved a bit too mighty for all comers on this occassion. It is tribute to the hard work Ben has put in over the last 6 - 12 months, entering a lot of LTA performance tournaments and improving his LTA rating and county ranking considerably, we hope to get more players following his lead.
It was great to see so many people take part and we will arrange further events shortly to make sure everyone has a lot of match and tournament practice ahead of the 2018 club season.