After a long qualifying campaign, finals day took place on Sunday October 8th and we were blessed with a fine dry day and even some sunshine!

The prizes were ready to be won and there would be five adult and four junior titles at stake.

An early start with four adult competitors playing in two finals so the Mixed Doubles kicked off proceedings at 11-30am . This promised to be a fasinating contest with newcomer Andy Jones joined by ladies first team captain Yvonne Mannall as they took on mens first team captain Richard Whaley and Rachel Hill. The crowd sat back and witnessed a superb final which featured some cracking rallies and adventurous net play. No surprise that three tie breaks were needed to decide the winners with Andy and Yvonne quickly out of the traps and just hanging on to claim the opener. Richard and Rachel remained calm and fought back impressively to level the match meaning a third set championship tie break would settle matters. Andy and Yvonne managed to hold firm and clinch it 10-7 in a memorable affair that left everyone on court looking drained. 

Terrific performance of real quality from Andy and Yvonne who combined well to lift the Mixed Doubles crown.

Gallant runners up Richard and Rachel gave everything and contributed to a wonderful spectacle.

The Ladies Singles final followed and featured regular finalist Anne Lillywhite as she took on another newcomer in Evie Parkin. Evie caught the eye representing Bardsey in the Winter League and was quickly snapped up to enjoy success with the Wetherby summer teams . She has turned out for Yorkshire and is often seen playing regularly in singles events in the north of England. She would be a heavy favourite today but Anne is a veteran of many finals herself and has lifted the crown previoulsy. Both ladies were hitting big from deep but Evie was generating power and pace and with her angles superb she proved too strong to run out a cosy 6-0, 6-1 winner.

Well done to Evie and Anne who left nothing on court in a well contested final. 

The Junior finals were taking place on courts two and three and first up was the U14 Singles which featured Tate Dixon and Emilia Forster. Cheered on by their watching families the pair produced plenty of long rallies. Tate was battling injury after playing football earlier but was still able to cover the court well but Emilia was tenacious and showing great consistacy lifted the title with an impressive 6-3, 4-1 success. 

Well played Tate and Emilia who produced a lovely contest played in great spirit throughout. 

Organisers Mike and Bradley Triffitt grabbed lunch with Ann Jones lurking to pinch the chips!!

Over on court two there was a titanic battle in the U18 Girls Final with Eleanor Gold taking on Amelia Moran. Both are seen regularly at coaching and have made good impressions in the adult teams this summer. Its great for the club to have two promising females boosting the ranks and this contest was not for the faint hearted. With the temperatues rising the girls were hitting big from deep and rallies took some winning. This was a tremendous match and after Eleanor took the first 6-4, Amelia battled back to grab the second 7-6 after a tiebreak to set up a thrilling finale. Little between the competitors before Eleanor secured the title with a very hard fough 10-4 success.

Well done girls for producing a super final.

The U10 Singles Final took place on court three and featured Sophie Yeates against Freddie Lloyd with Brad Triffitt umpiring!. This was a rollercoaster of a match with both players showing excellent racket skills to ensure many long rallies and exciting winners. Both had chances in a keenly fought contest before Sophie ran out a narrow 12-10, 10-8 winner . 

 Well done to Sophie and Freddie and the watching familes for great support. 

The Ladies Doubles Final took place on court four with the junior events running over. Emma Abel was a late withdrawal due to Covid but thankfully for mum Jill she was joined by Evie Parkin who kindly stepped in. They faced Yvonne Mannall and Rachel Hill .

Despite playing earlier ,Yvonne and Rachel would be tough nuts to crack but Jill and Evie were determined and made the big guns pull out all the stops. Plenty of good moments for all four players before the pre tournament favourites secured success running out 6-1, 6-3 winners.

Well done to our winners who were quick to crack open the wine and chocolates to celebrate!

Thanks to runners up Jill and Evie for contributing to a competitive ladies doubles final.

The crowd was increasing in numbers as the eagerly awaited Mens Doubles Final began. Andy Jones and Alastair Southworth faced Adam Turner and Brad Triffitt with the quartet all regular members of the summer teams here at Wetherby . Andy and Alastair are good buddies having previoulsy played at Boroughbridge and favourites to beat Adam and Brad who had combined well in the Leeds mens first team together. Alastair had been out celebrating a birthday Saturday night and Adam and Brad looked to take advantage but in a very tight opening set there was little between the pairs. A contrast of styles as Adam and Brad tried to play a slower game to combat the power of their opponents worked well as they took the first set on a tiebreak . However Alastair was serving particularly quick and with Andy producing some clever net play and strong baseline returns they were ahead in the second. Brad and Adam fought back and sensing their chance twice had match points. Credit to Andy and Alastair however who showed nerves of steel to repel all attacks and level the match after another close tie break. Momentum was now with the former Boro stars and they completed victory 10-4 in the championship tie break but a great fnal was enjoyed by all.

Well played Andy and Alastair who dug deep to take the Mens Doubles crown. 

A great effort from our runners up Adam and Brad who were still smiling after a tremendous final.

 Nice to see plenty of members down supporting the players . Dave Rowlands certainly enjoyed tucking into the Heroes!!!

The Boys U18 Final featured Jack Medcalf and George Brown who are good pals on and off court. Jack has made significant strides stepping into the summer adult teams and catching the eye with some big hitting for the mens outfits. George was trying to nullify that power with some crafty slower play and this proved an intriguing contest. However despite his best efforts George was unable to prevent Jack taking the spoils winning a close one 6-4, 6-3. 

Great comradery as always and well played George and Jack.

Richard Whaley returned to the showcourt as finals day concluded with the Mens Singles. It was nice to see another new face as Chris McDonald was in opposition. Chris is another to join recently and after competing in the Winter League he proved a valuable member for a number of summer teams at Wetherby.  He would be the outsider here but his all action style works particularly well in singles and this final would prove a real war of attrition. Chris was fired up and hitting hard from deep but there are few with the calmness and court coverage to match the coolness of Richard Whaley who retuned everything thrown at him. Chris was certainly making the running but couldnt match the consistency of Richard who took the opener 6-2. With a rowdy crowd willing on the underdog he fought bravly producing some breaktaking winners but the iceman would not be beaten and Richard ran out an impessive 6-2, 6-2 victor to be crowned the worthy champion.

Thanks to Richard and Chris for producing an entertaining mens singles final which brought the curtain down on a great day of tennis. 

Thanks to the players, supporters and organisers for all their hard work both today and throughout a long qualfying process.