Orchard Club Championships July 3rd 2021
I think it’s fair to say that the weather sort of behaved itself for the 2021 finals day at Orchard on Saturday. It proved to be just the morning matches - the ladies singles and men’s doubles - that had to battle through showers and battle they did in two very good close matches. The afternoon matches were blessed with drier, calmer weather, which very much pleased all Spectators, Players and Umpires. This is how the day panned out;
Mens Doubles
In the men’s doubles James West and Stuart Leach beat the strong pairing of Adam Reid and Jamie Simmonds in 3 sets with the final score being 6-2. 6-7, 6-2. Many thanks to the Umpire Aleem Cummins.
Ladies Singles
Thanks also to Clare Smith was the very able Umpire for the Ladies singles Final between Clare Robinson and Erin Howard. The match was nip and tuck until Clare managed to take the match in 2 sets against Erin, 6-4, 6-4.
Mixed Doubles Plate
Erin was playing the first of her 3 finals on the day. Her second final saw her contest the Mixed doubles plate with her father Trevor Howard. The father and daughter pairing were formidable in their match against Sue Isaacs and Franco Lubura and went on to win in 2 sets 6-0, 6-0. Thanks to Kesara Vithane for taking the umpires chair for this match.
Mixed Doubles
The Mixed doubles was a hard-fought match between Clare Robinson & Jamie Simmonds against the Husband and Wife team Fiona & Ian Adams. The match went to 3 sets with Ian & Fiona taking the first set 2-6. Clare and Jamie however came back strongly in the second set to take the Set 6-1 before going on to win the 3rd set 7-5 and take the match. This thrilling match helped the Umpire Steph Winfield (who is afraid of heights) completely forget she was sitting in a very high chair.
Mens Singles
James West was also a busy chap and played in his second final of the day, the men’s Singles, against his men’s doubles partner Stuart Leach. It was James who won through in 2 sets 6-4, 6-3. Thanks again to Aleem for umpiring his second Final of the day. At least it didn’t rain on him this time.
Ladies Doubles
The young duo of Erin Howard and Eliza Hogermeer took on the strong pairing of Sue West and Clare Robinson in the Ladies doubles. This was to be the third match of the day for Clare and Erin but you wouldn’t have thought it as they played a good, hard and competitive match. In the end Clare and Sue were victorious in 2 sets with the final score being 6-1, 6-4. A big thank you to Steve Pantell for acting as umpire for the Ladies Doubles.
Mixed Veterans Doubles
The mixed vets doubles was the last match of the day but very much not the least. It was a tightly contested final between the Ian & Fiona Adams, (playing their second final of the day) against last year’s winners Clare Smith & Martin Taylor. After 2 close sets Ian & Fiona won the match 7-5, 6-4. Many thanks to Umpire Miriam Mohns.
The day ended with the presentation of trophies by the club’s chairman Jamie Simmonds to the winners. Photographs of finalist and the presentations will be displayed in the club house.
The Committee would like to congratulate all the winners and offer thanks to all the participants in the Championship this year as without you this would not happen, we hope you all enjoyed the experience. Although the Covid regulations sadly meant we were unable to allow many spectators, or offer the usual cream teas and BBQ, we would like to thank the spectators who came along to support, the finalists and umpires for giving us a good day of tennis, and the organisers who made it happen.