Orchard championships Saturday 2nd July 2022
Another club finals, another day of high quality and sociable tennis. The weather behaved over the course of the day, windy at times but overall was very nice with some glimpses of sunshine. The order of play had changed from traditional years and players were thanked for last minute changes. We had great help from volunteers with the cream teas, BBQ, umpiring and general running of the day. Massive thanks to men’s & ladies captains James & Steph for running the event from start to finish!
The men’s singles was played as chairman vs the captain. Both got off to a good start with breaks early on and high quality tennis. With James just holding firm from the midway point onward in the first set. The second set James got off to a quick start and remained the stronger as we won his 10th single title 6-3/6-1, la decimar.
The mixed vets doubles was a fine contest between the battle of the couples. First set started strongly for Ian & Fiona, but Steph & Simon started to get going as they were behind in the second set to make a really good go of it. Unfortunately for them Ian & Fiona held firm when it counted and won the match 6-2/6-4.
The ladies singles featured one of our club coaches in Erin Howard and resident finalist Clare Robinson. Clare started the quicker and won the first playing some excellent tennis. Erin got into her stride for the second with both exchanging fantastic rallies. Clare managed to weather the storm well and won yet another singles title 6-2/6-3.
The mixed doubles final is always the fan favourite and this match again proved why that’s the case. With regulars Jamie & Claire vs new partners of Adam & Julia. Rumour has it Julia asked Adam to be her partner, yes we don’t believe it either! The match started with Adam & Julia showing why they’re a feared force. But the second set provided a much more entertaining encounter for the crowd. With the set going right to the end with a good old fashioned tie break. With Adam & Julia just piping it, final score 6-2/7-6.
The mixed plate was Step & Simon’s second match of the day and again another fine encounter. Both pairs producing some really good tennis with not much to separate. The odd break of serving deciding how each set was won. In the end Shaun & Jean just had enough to get over the line with the pair edging the final 6-3/7-5.
The men’s doubles was a rematch of last year’s final between James & Stuart vs Jamie & Adam. This is the high quality tennis that the supporters love to see. The match was finely poised in both sets, but both James & Stuart served very well and managed to go the whole match without being broken. The sets were both decided with a single break and another doubles title for the big hitters 6-3/6-4.
The ladies doubles featured Clare and Steph in their third final of the day. Partners Sue & Fiona needed to provide the work ethic to help their partners. The match was evenly contested with some long rallies throughout. With the steadiness of Sue & the clinical finishing of Clare providing the winning combination and a final result of 6-3/6-4.