Champions were once again crowned as Haverfordwest Tennis Club staged the finals of the 76th annual senior Pembrokeshire County Open.
Tom Richards, a finalist last year, beat Marco Coronado to claim the men’s singles title for the third time in his playing career, the other two coming back in 2015 and 2016.
Haverfordwest head coach Richards cruised through the rounds but was firmly tested in the final by Coronado, who received a semi-final walkover following the retirement of 2022 champion Mathieu Evans.
Richards took a close first set 6-4 before claiming the second 6-2.
Sarah Newman defended her ladies singles title for the third year running with a 6-1 6-0 victory over fellow former Welsh athletics hurdler Vicky Lloyd.
Lloyd had only taken up the sport a year ago and took out 2021 champion Ceri Coleman-Phillips in a superb semi-final comeback, while Newman once again showed her class.
Both Richards and Newman also enjoyed success in the doubles finals.
Richards and Nathan Jones won the men’s title without having to hit a ball after Evans and dad Bruce were forced to withdraw through injury ahead of Saturday’s final.
Newman once again joined forces with Laura Davies who returned to the tournament after injury in 2024. The formidable pair overpowered team mates Sarah Keogh and Coleman-Phillips, but the 6-0 6-1 scoreline still provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd.
It was Davies’ 24th Open title, bringing her to within one of Danny Spurr’s record of 25. There is little doubt she will break that and be officially crowned “The GOAT” in the not too distant future.
Newman and Coleman-Phillips would meet again in the mixed doubles final, a title Coleman-Phillips had won with Jeremy Cross for the past four years, but the eight-time champion was a missed figure this year as he travels the world with his family.
Coronado stepped in to replace Cross and the pair took on Newman and Jones in one of the closest mixed finals in recent years.
Coronado and Coleman-Phillips took the first set 7-5 but were pushed all the way in the second to set up a tie-break. Despite trailing 5-1, they held their nerve to claim victory.
It was the first and deserved Open title for Coronado who had been a spectator favourite throughout the tournament with his effortless and powerful playing style.
The plate finals were played prior to Saturday, with Jones edging the athletic William Howarth 7-5 7-5. It had been a coming of age for Jones who was arguably the standout doubles player of the tournament.
Teenage surfing superstar Josie Hawke lifted the ladies plate after a hard battle with Chloe Tickle, emerging a 6-4 7-6 winner.
Tickle also featured in the ladies’ doubles plate final with Liz Reed, with the inexperienced duo pushing ladies’ second team pair Helen Groves and Ceri O’Shea all the way to a championship tie-break, which they eventually lost 10-6.
It was a solid display by Groves and O’Shea who held their nerve to claim the inaugural title.
The men’s doubles plate final was one of the most entertaining matches of the fortnight, and that too came down to a championship tie-break.
Club chairman Dean Richards and Andy Beazley came from behind to take the first set 7-6, but Bryan Phillips and David Roch James regathered their composure to win the second 6-4.
Richards and Beazley produced their best tennis when it mattered to win the tie-break.
Club president Brian Hearne was once again on hand to present the trophies and thank the tournament referee and all the volunteers for their hard work.
They will all be back out in force later this month as the Parade gets ready to host the Junior County Open from 13-19 July, featuring the best young talent around, and also the club’s 90th anniversary celebration on 26 July.