The Lowestoft and District Tennis championships took place at the Denes Oval over a period of one week and were fortunate enough to have great weather for the full period of play, culminating in a glorious sunny day for the finals on Saturday.

Entries were down this year, with some clubs providing no entries and most clubs only a scattering of players, so it was down to Lowestoft Town Tennis Club to field more than 80% of the entries. The organising committee will be following up with all clubs and league members with a questionnaire to establish what needs to change to gain more entries in 2020.

Despite this the tournament was a great success with a high standard of play with many matches in the earlier rounds going to a championship tiebreak in the third set.

Peter Aldous, Alan Reeve, Andrew Turner and Richard Brabben, who organised and ran the event, supported by the committee and members of Lowestoft Town Tennis club, found that all but one of the seedings went to plan in all the events, which covered Open events for the Barraclough Empire and Sayer-Gooch trophies which are over 100 years old and restricted events for divisions 2, 3 and the veterans events for 45 and 50+.

During evening play the club committee provided hot and cold refreshments and for finals day club members provided a magnificent display of cakes and pastries for the event which started at 11.30am and went through to 8.00pm.

A special award was presented to Sheila Brabben, recently returning to tennis after a knee replacement, in recognition of all her work in organising and providing players and spectators with a constant supply of hot and cold drinks.

On finals day spectator were presented with a great display of top class tennis across all the events.

Results

Mens Open singles was won by James Brabben taking his 4th title with a powerful display of tennis against Racket Sport Academy Coach and Lowestoft Town coaching provider, Ben Thompson. Jame’s hard hitting consistent and deadly accuracy of shots to open up the court provided him with a 6-1 6-2 victory.

Ladies Open singles was won by Lucy Brabben taking her 3rd title with a strong display of ground strokes against a spirited performance by fellow club member Desi Reed 6-1 6-0.

Ladies Open doubles was won by Carol Websdale and Desi Reed who had a marathon match against fellow club members and last years winners Sally Juler and Lucy Brabben with a 2-6 7-5 10-7 victory.

Mens Open doubles has been postponed through injury and will be rescheduled between James Brabben and Ben Hall and Stuart Brabben and Andy Podd.

Mixed Open doubles was won by brother and sister James and Lucy Brabben with a 6-1 6-2 win over Noel Stapley and Lucy Foster.

The restricted ladies doubles was won by Desi Reed and Carol Websdale  defeating Kate Smith and Tess Blower 6-1 6-3.

The restricted mens doubles was another Lowestoft Town duel won by Mike Kirk and Mike Power in along match 5-7 6-2 10-6 against Richard Brabben and Andrew Turner.

The restricted mixed doubles was won by Noel Stapley and Lucy Foster 6-4 6-4 against Richard Brabben and Carol Websdale.

The 45+ mens singles was won by Noel Stapley in a marathon 3 set match full of long rallies against Trevor Bailey 5-7 6-2 11-9.

The 45+ ladies singles was won by Kate Smith defeating fellow Beccles club member Tess Blower 6-2 6-0.

The 50+ ladies doubles was won by Desi Reed and Carol Websdale defeating fellow club members Christine Turner and Belinda Podd 6-4 6-3.

The 50+ mens doubles was won by Peter Aldous and Trevor Bailey in a tight seesaw final 7-6 6-4 against Richard Brabben and Mike Power

Thanks to the tournaments main sponsor Ange and Co Estate Agents and to M.R. King for their support.

All championship and league division trophies were presented at the League Tennis Dinner and Dance, featuring Georgia Falls, at Ivy Farm, on Sunday 21 July.