A review of HTC 2023 Senior Finals Day

Last  year we had another great finals day at Haddenham Tennis Club with some super matches and blessed with ideal weather.
Thanks to Margaret Wilson for organising the championships and organising the presentations, drinks & refreshments.
There were some lovely cakes & biscuits and thanks to Evi Wilson & Joanna Speight for their home baked produce that went down a treat.
We had some drama on the football pitch with an unfortunate footballer sustaining a serious leg break & waiting over an hour for an ambulance. Our appreciation to Dr. Sam Wakefield for intervening & checking that the player was in a suitable condition to wait for the ambulance.
Finally, many thanks to all the family members and supporters who turned up to watch and it really helped to make this a special finals day.
The tennis results for the day were:

Men’s Singles:
Champion: Alex Wilson. Runner Up: Graham Speight

This was a close fought match with Graham going 5-2 up in the first set but Alex changing tactics and fighting back to take the set 7-5. The second set had close games, but Alex was able to win the crucial game points & eventually running out winner 7-5, 6-2.

Ladies Doubles:
Champions: Jacky Keates & Sue Jones. Runners Up: Jane Wybron & Nicola Gorringe

This match turned out to be a classic with some long rallies and the play switching one way and another but Jacky & Sue winning after a big momentum switch after losing the first set tie break but fighting back in the second set and deciding championship tie break by winning 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 10-4.

Men’s Doubles Exhibition Match
Champions: Sam Wakefield & Michael Massey (awarded a walk over).

An exhibition match was laid on which also turned out to be real thriller. Although the result did not count, Alex Wilson played with a stand in partner, John Hurrell and managed to win 4-6, 6-2, 10-6. Many thanks to both pairs for providing such an entertaining and good natured match.

Mixed Doubles:
Champions: Graham Speight & Alison Green. Runners Up: Rob O’Loughlin & Nicola Gorringe

The mixed doubles match had long rallies and was very competitive, however Graham & Alison seemed to have the last word on the important points and won 6-2, 6-2. The score did not reflect how close the game was and it was very enjoyable to watch.

Presentations were made by Bev Wilson and photos of the day are on the HTC web site:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HaddenhamTennisClub/Galleries
Go to 2023 Finals Day
The HTC Championship history can be found on the Honours Board:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HaddenhamTennisClub/INFO
Go to Hall of Fame

Kennedy Cup:
This was unable to be played on finals day due to some problems but was played on Thursday 21st September and the winners were John Hurrell & Mike Mingos who beat Steve Lyons & David Osman 6-1, 6-3 in a close fought final – despite the score.

The Kennedy Cup is a competition in memory of Dennis Kennedy who coached beginner juniors at the club for over 10 years, ably assisted by his wife Rene. These sessions had large groups of enthusiastic juniors who turned out in all weathers. The Kennedy Cup competition is specifically for non team players and partners are drawn from a hat.

HTC 2023 Junior Club Championship Finals were held on Saturday 23rd September

We were very lucky with the weather as although a bit windy, it stayed dry and sunny apart from a few clouds.

The day was well supported by parents friends and family and Margaret Wilson provided refreshments and biscuits for competitors and supporters. Many thanks to Davina Norton for baking the cakes which were yummy!

The finals were run by Blaise Baheten the club Head Coach and presentations of medals, cups and medallions were made after each final by Bev Wilson, HTC Chair and Blaise.

Pictures of the day are on the HTC web site:

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HaddenhamTennisClub/Galleries   Go to 2023 Junior Finals

The results of the matches are shown below:

Boys 8 & Under
Champion:Ruben Brown
Runner up: Teddy Butler

Ruben Brown won 21/9 in a closely contested match despite the score with some long rallies.

Girls 8 & Under
Champion: Ameya Fyfe
Runner up: Charlotte Bartle

Ameya managed to win 21/15 in a see-saw battle that could have gone either way.

Boys 9 & Under
Champion: David Cunliffe
Runner up: Sami Fordham

Another very close final that pivoted on a few critical points with David winning 11/9.

Boys 12 & Under
Champion: Elliott Philpott
Runner up: Orhan Yesugey

This was a nail biter and the result was always on a knife edge with Elliot winning 7/5 - 7/5 in two close sets.

Girls 12 & Under
Champion: Bonnie White
Runner up: Bella Lamborn

This probably had the longest rallies of all the matches and was exciting to watch with momentum swinging back and forth. Bonnie managed to win most of the important points and managed to win 4/2 - 4/3.

Boys 16 & Under
Champion: Tom Usher
Runner up: Oliver Baldwin

This was a Round Robin event and the competitors had to get through some very close matches to make it to the final which Tom won showing his consistency and stoke play by winning 11/4.