The latest staging of Pershore Tennis Club’s Tournament has just taken place. The tournament runs through the summer months with finals over the weekend 17 & 18 September. This year 148 entries were received over 18 events. 71 years separated the youngest player (6 years old) and the oldest (77 years old) just going to show what an inclusive sport the game is. With 210 matches played the courts have been seeing plenty of action.

Youth has certainly been a theme. The winner of the men’s singles was Alfie Mills who it is believed is the youngest ever winner of the event at 15. Having battled through 4 opponents to be in the final he faced off against another youngster in Christian Vatahov (14 years old). A good quality match with Alfie edging it 6-3 7-6. More youth was on show in the ladies singles final with Emma Bowen seeing off the challenge of 15 year old  Ruth Teale. A very good performance was put up by Ruth and her partner Caoimhe Guppy in the final of the ladies doubles. Playing the defending champions Emma Bowen and Sarah McCormick the youngsters picked up a set which they hadn’t done in the head to head previously. Momentum was swiftly regained by Emma and Sarah as they defended their title. In the men’s doubles Christian and Alfie faced one another again. In a tussle lasting well over 2 hours Christian and Simon Corbishley edged the match 7-6 4-6 10-8. Christian is believed to be the youngest winner of this title.

In a well contested mixed final Jack Austin and Sarah McCormick got the better of Guy Ramus and Lucy Taylor Radmore. At the same time an equally fascinating over 60 mixed final was taking place with Peter Corbishley and Sandra Foulkes turning the match around to overcome Chris Lowe and Ginny Lowe 7-5 6-4. Other results were

Jon Coldridge beat Pete Ford to claim the over 45 singles

Claire Ralph beat Sandra Edwards to claim the over 45 singles

Jon Coldridge and Simon Corbishley beat Andrew Smith and Steve Cole to claim the over 45 doubles

Emma Bowen and Sarah McCormick beat Claire Ralph and Beverly Morris to claim the over 45 doubles

Paul Massey beat Andrew Smith to the over 60 singles

The finals of the over 60 doubles for men and women have been delayed

Over the same weekend the club’s junior players were busy too. Matches were played to determine the club champions for the year in 8U, 12U, 14U and 18U categories. A family affair in the 12U event with Aayush Nilak getting the better of his younger brother Eshaan. With the quality on show from both this proved to be a highly entertaining match. The 14U was equally attractive between Theo Houston and Tom Porter. Here the first set proved pivotal. With Tom ahead in the tie break Theo then got momentum going and clinched the set. Tom was facing an uphill task now and so it proved. Tom had earlier pulled off an upset by battling through against top seed Jack Bulbulia. Despite carrying an injury Jack still continued to the end but Tom wasn’t going to let the opportunity go. Another close match in the 14U saw Maegan Teale get over the line 1-4 4-2 10-8 against Carys Macleod. Other results

Alfie Mills beat Ben Stanley to claim the 18U singles

Ruth Teale beat Carys Macleod to the 18U singles

Evelina Skridla beat Buddy Stanbury to the 8U singles

While important to recognise the club champions of the year the tournament is a good way of bringing together the club’s membership. On many an occasion players are meeting each other for the first time. This weekend in the club’s calendar is more than anything a good social time for the people of Pershore Tennis Club.