An exciting action packed day of tennis club tournament finals was held at Billingshurst Tennis Club, just off Lower Station Rd, on Saturday 9th September.
Jo Chambers, Chair of the Club, who presented the many trophies, said “We were delighted with the high level of play across all the age categories, on this Club Tournament Finals Day, and the strong turnout of family, friends and club supporters who came along to watch.”
On what was predominately a sunny day, refreshments were provided for all, and there was a festive spirit out on the viewing terrace amongst the many supporters. Family, friends and club members came along to watch a full day of tennis matches and trophy presentations from 9am in the morning till after 5.30pm, with just one brief interlude of respite during a passing rain shower.
There were some very hard fought matches, right across the age ranges. Our youngest winner was 7 year old Arun, in the Under 8 Red ball category, while Chris Ornstien, winner of the Mens Singles, is a very accomplished, 70 year old, internationally-ranked veteran.
A couple of the junior players were kept busy playing in more than one age category, with Arun winning both the Under 8 and Under 9 Round Robin categories, and Olivia winning both the Under 12 and Under 16 Girls with a dramatic and very close win in the 3rd set tie breaker in the Under 16s final.
Several of the adult players also had matches in both the singles and doubles categories, with Richard Bown just losing in the Mens Singles but winning the Mixed Doubles Finals with Mandy Snook, who also won the Ladies Doubles event in partnership with Denise Denny. Chris Ornstien won both the Mens Doubles along with Rob Falkner, as well as the Mens Singles, after a dramatic come back in the final set having been down 3 games to 5 earlier on, and saving a match point, before then going on to win the championship, after a close tie -breaker.
The final results were as follows:
Juniors
Under 8 – Redball Round Robin – Arun beat Harry, Sam and Jess
Under 9 – Greenball Round Robin – Arun beat Sam and Connie.
Under 12 Girls – Olivia beat Alyssia 2-0
Under 16 Girls – Olivia beat Emily 2-1
Under 10 Greenball – Josh beat Harry 2-0
Under 12 Boys – Ben beat Toby 2-0
Under 14 Boys – Olly beat Travis 2-0
Under 16 Boys – Joseph beat Travis 2-0
Adults
Ladies Doubles – Denise Denny & Mandy Snook beat Shirley Cook & Sue Trinder 2-0
Josephine Pratt Cup – Chris Fisher beat Ann Board 2-0
Mixed Doubles – Richard Bown & Mandy Snook beat Malcolm Downey & Sue Trinder 2-0
Mens Doubles – Chris Ornstien & Rob Falkner beat Kevin Ballinger & Matt 2-0
Mens Singles – Chris Ornstien beat Richard Bown 2-1.
Ladies Veterans Doubles – Angie Gooda & Liz Smith won the round robin competition