Looking at the weather forecast the day before, the prospect was bleak, putting Jack Grummitt, the supervisor in a dilemma, whether to cancel or not. As it happened, the forecast changed and we got ideal weather for great tennis, which in fact we got. It was well appreciated by a good turnout of spectators.
It is the Open singles events which tend to get the headlines, and true to form, we were treated to some entertaining tennis in these competitions.
It was a fantastic story on the women’s singles, which saw Daisy Rutter – not yet 14 - lift the crown – by far our youngest winner of the tournament in its history. The crowd on court 1 were treated to an excellent match with Jane Carter, in a quality game of strong hitting and deft strokes.
Jack Grummitt, himself, won the men’s singles for the first time in an athletic and very tight three set match against Josh Spurling.
In both the open doubles events, the 2023 winners retained their titles. On the men’s side, Josh Spurling and Matty Cooper prevailed again, this time against Jack Grummitt and Chris Gray. As we know, a single point can change the course of a game. Josh and Matty won the first set in very close tie break (which could have gone either way) and then went on to win the second set with somewhat less drama.
In the Open Ladies doubles, Sue Trousdale and Kate Mabbott had too much for Suzie Horn and Rachel Watterson, the winning pair using their doubles expertise and experience to run out deserved winners.
In fact, the first winners of the day had been Mark McPeake and Phoebe Spyridopoulos, very strong couple with county level pedigree, although at opposite ends of the age range. They beat Chris Gray and Suzie Horn in a good quality game that set the standard for the day.
Two of the handicap events were exceptionally lengthy, both in terms of rally and score (three sets in each). In the mixed handicap, Kevin Speight and Katherine Hunt hung in to beat father and daughter, Paul and Natalie Watson. In the ladies’ handicap, it was similar picture, Daisy Rutter and Emma Dixon, outlasting Kim Fewell and Carol Marshall. The third handicap event, the men’s doubles was a shorter match in terms of score but was competitive, Paul Watson and Richard Bergman beating father and son, Mick and Chris Lewis.
In the men’s plate Chris Lewis was in action again, but Chibueze Okoro was too strong and took home the title.
There were three JUNIOR finals, showcasing our promising young players. They were all competitive games, the two boys’ finals being particularly so.
In the under 14 boys, Will Das beat Oliver Aitken in a third set championship tie break (10-8). It was just as close, 10-8 in a third set championship tie break in the under 12 boys’ final, Rory Stamp prevailing over Jonah Hawe.
Familiar names appeared in the under 12 girl’s match. Millie Aitken, sister of Oliver mentioned above, beat Hannah Watson, sister of Natalie, mentioned above.
Note from the President:
As an experiment, very much supported by Jack Grummitt and Sean Byrne who would be supervising the seniors and the juniors respectively, we decided to run the tournament, targeting finals in June, whereas for many years they had been held in September. There were two main strands to the decision. First, it is a summer game. Second, we would expect better weather for finals day (although ironically, as it turned out, the latter was in the balance).
Because the time to get the rounds in under the new arrangement was much more restricted than in the past, it needed the supervisors, Jack in particular because of the many senior events, to be disciplined and proactive. The climax, finals day, well planned for and run, with excellent tennis and an appreciative crowd (to whom thanks for supporting) was a great day for the club
Key to the PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo 1:
Ladies Singles: left to right – Daisy Rutter, Jack Grummitt, tournament supervisor, and Jane Carter.
Photo 2:
Men’s Singles: L to R – Jack Grummitt and Josh Spurling
Photo 3:
Open Mixed Doubles: L to R – Mark McPeake, Phoebe Spyridopoulos, Suzie Horn and Chris Gray.
Men’s Doubles: L to R – Chris Gray, Jack Grummitt, Matty Cooper and Josh Spurling
Ladies Doubles: L to R – Suzie Horn, Rachel Watterson, Kate Mabbott and Sue Trousdale.
Photo 4:
Men’s Doubles Handicap: L to R – Chris Lewis, Mick Lewis, Richard Bergman and Paul Watson.
Ladies Doubles Handicap: L to R – Kim Fewell, Carol Marshall, (Jack Grummitt), Daisy Rutter and Emma Dixon
Mixed Doubles Handicap: L to R – Kevin Speight, Katherine Hunt, (Jack Grummitt), Paul Watson and Natalie Watson.
Men’s Plate: L to R - Chibueze Okoro and Chris Lewis
Photo 5:
Boys under 14 Singles: L to R - Will Das, Oliver Aitken (and Sean Byrne).
Girls under 12 singles: L to R – Hannah Watson and Millie Aitken.
Boys under 12 singles: L to R – Rory Stamp, (Sean Byrne) and Jonah Hawe.