Young Tennis Stars show the Way.

The Finals Day of the Andover Lawn Tennis Club’s Championships was held last Sunday at their Brackenbury courts. The weather was ideal for the players if a little cool for the increasing number of spectators. The finals of the adult championships, organised by championship Secretary John Snowden, assisted by Mike Prince and Helen Byrnell, commenced with the Men’s singles final.

Due to a variety of factors, including injuries to established, experienced players and the improving standard of the younger players, this year’s final was competed for by Stuart Smillie aged sixteen and Patrick Burnell, only just 15 years old. They set about an enthralling 3 set match with Pat, fresh from completing a junior final, warmed up and timing his shots well, settling into his game more quickly than Stuart, and taking the first set 6-4. The second set was again evenly matched with Stuart fighting back, increasing the power of his returns to take the set 6-4. Having been entertained by some tremendously long rallies and a high standard of all-round court play the appreciative crowd eagerly awaited the third set. Gradually Stuart’s ability to consistently play accurate controlled returns overcame his tiring younger opponent (now playing his fifth consecutive set), and, despite Pat’s defiant defence, Stuart took the third set to win the singles title 4-6, 6-4 and 6-1.

In the ladies singles final the ever improving Charlotte Prince now competing regularly in county tournaments for her age group overcame her gallant opponent Maddie Hancock 6-0, 6-1 to take the title for the second year.

The ladies vets singles final was a closer fought affair than that reflected in the final score but Helen Byrnell’s greater accuracy proved too strong for Claire Reid, allowing Helen to win 6-1, 6-3.

Martin Isherwood was awarded the Men’s vets singles title without raising a racquet as his fellow finalist Shaun Macdonald had to withdraw due to injury.

In the ladies doubles final the skill and experience of the club’s top ladies pairing of Claire Coomer and Helen Eckersley proved too much for Helen Byrnell and Claire Reid. Despite brave resistance from their opponents Claire Coomer and Helen Eckersley won in two straight sets 6-0, 6-1. This is their eighth consecutive win in this event and underlines their great strength as a ladies doubles pair.

The men’s doubles final was expected to be a wonderful exhibition of tennis with the exuberance of youth in the shape of George Corden and Stuart Smillie taking on the experienced and established pairing of Andrew Winnett and David Aldridge. The crowd was not disappointed as this match proved to be a fine tussle full of quality tennis. In the first set the experience and agility of Andy combined with the ever reliable forehand of Dave just proved too much for the counterpunching of George and Stuart, with Andy and Dave winning 6-4. However, the youngsters were not to be outdone and the second set was an even tighter affair with some enthralling play from all 4 players. The score went to and fro before reaching a tie-break at 6-6. There continued to be some exemplary tennis with George and Stuart fighting back to level the tie-break at 6-6; finally with a bit of net cord luck and some deft shots Andy and Dave won through to take the tie-break 8-6 and thus win in 2 sets. This was a disappointment for the youngsters but they can be proud of their performance, as indeed can the winners – a wonderful match and this was reflected in the lengthy, enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Taking the opportunity to give the spectators a chance to relax a number of awards, prizes and trophies were presented at this point. The guests of honour, Sally Bainbridge (a departing member of some 30 years) and her husband Paul made the presentations and the chairman Margaret Winnett thanked all who had been involved in making it such a successful day. Finally the championship Secretary John Snowden took the opportunity to thank the chairman for all her hard work and presented several ladies with bouquets of flowers.

In the three Plate finals: the ladies doubles mother and daughter pairing of Eva and Maddie Hancock had a closely fought match with their young opponents Gemma Orchard and Laura Molloy. Eventually the more consistent play of Eva and Maddie resulted in a 6-2, 7-5 victory. The mixed final was a more one-sided affair with Paul Jenner and Glenys Chambers (an experienced pairing) defeating Les Gordon and Sally Bainbridge 6-0, 6-1. Similarly, despite a fight back from their opponents in the second set, in the Plate men’s doubles John Snowden and Jeff Lill had a comfortable victory 6-0, 6-3 over Richard Manly and Jack Penhaligan.

The last event of the day was the mixed final with Andy Winnett and Claire Coomer taking on Dave Aldridge and Helen Byrnell. The close understanding of Andy and Claire meant that they always had control of the match and despite some heroic resistance from Helen and some excellent shots from Dave, the skilful tennis of Andy and Claire resulted in a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

John Snowden

Championship Organiser

Strength in Junior Tennis at Andover.

Last week-end, Andover Tennis Club held their Junior Championship Finals Day at their Brackenbury courts with fourteen junior events being closely contested. There was a large crowd of spectators who all enjoyed the high quality matches in the warm September sunshine. In the youngest category six year old Nathan Birks played against 10 year old Alex Lee in the Boys’ Under 10 final in a match that was closely contested and underlined the strength in depth of the junior club. Nathan took the first set 4-2, with some good length drives and the more consistent play. Alex took the second set 4-1, finding his length of shot and greater strength. The match then went to a championship tie-breaker with Alex emerging as the winner 10-7. In the girls Under 12 Eloise Edwards proved too strong for her gallant opponent Emily Cope winning 4-0, 4-0. In the Boys’ Under 12 final Alex Lee was again in action, this time against Patrick Mathias. The match was a lengthy contest with both players retrieving well and playing consistent tennis from the base line. Eventually Patrick’s greater determination and good footwork during the long rallies saw him win the contest 6-4, 6-3. In the Under 14 Girls’ Final Hannah Catton, a player who has grown in strength and technical ability this season took on her doubles partner Katie Power. Both girls represented the club this summer in the county finals of the ‘Road to Wimbledon’ competition. The match was well contested and showed how much the girls have improved with Hannah emerging as the winner 6-4, 6-3. In the Under 14 Boys’ Final Jack Appleton, in his first season at the club, took on George Beare, a player who has represented the club many times at Under 14 level. This match was one of the longest events of the day, with both players chasing down every ball and working hard to win the point. Jack took the first set on a tie-break 7-6, George found greater depth on his shots in the second set to win that 6-3, and the final set was a very close encounter with George just emerging as the winner 6-4. In the Girls’ Under 16 event, Catherine Reynolds took on Stephanie Higgs in a match of high quality tennis. Both girls have been working in the Club’s Performance Squad and showed excellent technique with their shots and good court coverage. The first set went to a tie-break with Catherine just clinching the set 7-6. In the second set it was closer than the score suggests with Catherine also taking that set 6-2 to emerge as the winner. In the Boys’ Under 16 event George Corden took on Patrick Burnell. This was Patrick’s first appearance at an Under 16 final, whereas George has been there before. George won the match 6-0, 6-1, but it was a game of the highest quality and both players produced some superb tennis. In particular Patrick has gained in strength this year on his serve and is now using it as a formidable weapon. George, already representing Andover Club in the senior Men’s teams, has an excellent all round game and produced some spectacular shots. The final singles events for the juniors were the Under 18 matches. In the Girls, last year’s champion Charlotte Prince took on Catherine Reynolds. Charlotte has been playing many tournaments this summer around the southern region and her game showed how much she has benefited from this. Her length and power of ground shot and her well placed serves proved too much for Catherine who fought bravely throughout. Charlotte took the title 6-1, 6-0. In the Boys’ Under 18 George Corden was again in action this time against Stuart Smillie. These two players have met on many occasions through the years in different age groups and know each other’s game well. Both players produced ferocious top spin drives deep from the base line and some wonderfully acute angles on their volleys. They are both fit and cover the court well. In the end it was George’s day and he took the match 6-1, 6-2 with a score line that does not do justice to the closeness of the match.

In the doubles events, the Boys’ Under 12 again saw Alex Lee and Patrick Mathias on opposite sides of the net, with Alex’s partner Joe Carter playing a strong attacking game and Patrick’s partner Hallam Doney moving well about the court and working the angles well. Hallam is another player who has improved a great deal this season and he combined well with Patrick to produce a winning first set 6-3. Alex and Joe came back into the match in the second set but were just unable to take the set, allowing Pat and Hallam to win 7-5. In the Girls’ Under 14 Hannah Catton and Katie Power played together against Nikki Fletcher and Grace Howells. All the girls played well in an enjoyable game, but Hannah and Katie were just too strong, winning the match 6-0, 6-1. In the Boys’ Under 14 Doubles George Beare and Ken Gates, an established partnership, played against Nik Bradbury and Chris Lee. This was the closest match of the day, with the score fluctuating between the two pairs throughout the match. There was some high quality tennis and some excellent doubles tactics. George and Ken took the first set 6-4 but Nik and Chris came back strongly to win the second set 7-5. It was close all the way through the third set, with Chris Lee’s strength of shot, Nik’s tactics, George’s stop volleys and Ken’s extreme top spin drives all shown to perfection. In the end George and Ken just shaded the final set 7-5 to take the title. The Under 18 Girls’ Doubles between Gemma Orchard and her partner Laura Molloy playing against Stephanie Higgs and Catherine Reynolds was also a close affair, with the slightly younger partnership of Stephanie and Catherine finally taking the title 5-4, 7-6. The final event, the Boys’ Under 18 Doubles, was a match of high quality, with Stuart Smillie partnering young Josh Edwards, who has been a stalwart of the Under 14 Sarum league team this summer, against George Corden and Andy Fletcher. Despite all their efforts, Andy’s excellent two handed back hand and George’s powerful ground strokes, Stuart and Josh held their game together the better to win 6-2, 6-2.

Guests of Honour, Paul and Sally Bainbridge presented all the winners and runners up with trophies. In addition trophies were awarded to Hallam Doney and Nathan Birks as the most improved Saturday Morning juniors, to Chris Bradbury and Hannah Catton as the most improved Club Juniors and to Paul Brown and Charlotte Prince as the two juniors who have contributed most to helping coach and run the junior club.

	Ladies's Doubles Claire Coomer, Helen Eckersley, Claire Reid, Helen Byrnell.		Men's Doubles Andrew Winnett, David Aldridge, George Corden, Stuart Smillie.
	Ladies's Singles Maddie Hancock, Charlotte Prince.		Men's Singles Stuart Smillie, Pat Burnell.
	Girls' Under 14 Doubles Nikki Fletcher, Grace Howells, Hannah Catton and Katie Power		Girls' Under18 Doubles Laura Molloy, Gemma Orchard, Kath Reynolds and Stephanie Higgs.
	Boys' Under 10 Singles Alex Lee and Nathan Birks.		Boys' Under 14 Doubles Nik Bradbury, Chris Lee, George Beare and Ken Gates