TAVISTOCK Tennis Club, for the ninth year running, recently hosted the Tavistock Junior Open Tennis Tournament.
Fine weather enabled matches to be completed on time each day without backlogs. The three new courts, opened recently, were also a great help with the scheduling of matches.
There were 88 entrants (61 boys and 27girls) coming from as far afield as Harpenden, Leighton Buzzard, London and many parts of the South West counties. From the Tavistock area there were 12 participants — nine from the club.
The tournament was for boys and girls under 18 with singles and doubles events in different age groups run in rating classifications under LTA rules.
The tournament featured bonus and plate events where first round losers in the main events were guaranteed at least two matches - especially important for those travelling long distances - and tableau events which are for players of a high standard.
The standard of play was exceptional at times, with many tie-breaks and some long and exhausting rallies in the heat, one game going to 28 strokes.
There were some notable performances by players from the local area. Boys' singles open, section 1 7.2-6.3 event: Russell Rice (club) runner-up; bonus, James Kaminski winner: Boys' singles 14U section 1 event: Stuart Jarvis (Okehampton) winner, runner-up, Peter Bloomfield (club); bonus, winner Andrew Herrod-Taylor (Sticklepath) beat Jonathan Carter (Okehampton) in a three-set match. Boys' singles 10U Plate; runner-up Daniel Cooke (Yelverton). Girls' doubles open: winners: Victoria Shobrook (Yelverton)/Penny Baker (Exeter) in three sets with a tie-break.
With so many good young players it is difficult to single out individuals but mention must be made of Ben Purcell (Bude) who played some superb matches at all levels and Claire Simms (Barnstaple) who had come back to the game after a long spell away. Outstanding matches were the boys' doubles and the girls' doubles open finals, both of a high standard and a pleasure to watch.
A first round boys' singles match worthy of note was that between Jonathan Carter (Okehampton) and Jack Spicer (Barnstaple). With Jonathan 5ft 10ins tall and Jack about 4ft 6-7ins and two years younger, it was a David and Goliath match with Jonathan's power v Jack's speed around the court returning shots from all angles. Jonathan won in 2 sets, one a tie-break (7-5).
On Friday afternoon, Norma Woodcock, club president and presently mayor of Tavistock, presented the cups and paid tribute to the excellent job that Mary Bayliss, referee, Plymouth LTA, and Kylie Martin (club), organiser, had done in running such a successful tournament, which was somewhat complicated with so many events. Club member David Isaac thanked all participants for taking part and the many supporters, who had enjoyed their visit to Tavistock, some travelling considerable distances. He also thanked all those who had worked behind the scenes in so many ways for the smooth running of the tournament.
Results - winners only: Boys' singles: open section 1, Russell Padon (Plymouth); Bonus, James Kaminski (Tavistock); open tableau, Adam Tapp (Exmouth); Bonus, Daniel Bage (Exmouth); 14U section 1, Stuart Jarvis (Okehampton); bonus, John Ellmer (Ivybridge); 14U section 2, Danny Parsons (Barnstaple); bonus, Andrew Herrod-Taylor (Sticklepath); 14U section 3, Ben Purcell (Bude); bonus, James Roberton (Bishopsteington); 14U tableau, Glen Richards (Plympton); bonus, William Hough (Chudleigh); 10U, Oliver Thorne (Leighton Buzzard); plate, Jack Spicer (Barnstaple). Boys' doubles: open, Daniel Bage/Adam Tapp; 14U, John Cooksley (Wellington)/Kyle Walters (Plymouth). Girls' singles: open group 1, Emma Welch (St. Austell); group 2, Helen Trapnell (Bideford); 14U section 1, Claire Simms (Barnstaple); Bonus, Kate Hooper (Newton Abbott); 10U, Charlotte Lewis (Ottery St. Mary); 14U Tableau, Sally Langford (Bideford). Girls' doubles: Penny Baker (Exeter)/Victoria Shobrook (Yelverton); 14U, Hannah Brownlee (Hayle)/Sarah Gifford (Hartland).