TAVISTOCK Tennis Club's Summer Tournament finals took place on a rain, wind and sun free Saturday afternoon in the Meadows — ideal playing conditions for the participants. This was followed by a barbeque and the opportunity to watch the Tavistock Carnival procession pass by along Plymouth Road.
Sarah Lucas won the ladies singles, 6-3, 6-3, playing a purposeful and powerful game against Alice Anstee who gave her opponent some stiff competition.
In the men's singles Phil Snell, a junior, who also plays for the club in league matches, put up some determined resistance against Simon Prout, who won 6-2, 6-0. It was a good achievement for Phil to have reached the finals.
The men's doubles final was a fight to the end, neither side giving anything away. Ron Skinner and Richard Hendin lost eventually on tie breaks 6-7,6-7 to Rick Read and Ray Hinton. The first set went with service. The losers were 1-5 down in the second set but made a valiant effort to draw level, only to be pipped at the last hurdle!
In the ladies doubles, Sarah Lucas, together with her reliable partner Kate Wright, beat Jenny Read and Hilary Picton 6-2, 6-0.
Rick Read joined Barbara Watson to take on Phil Harbottle in the mixed veterans final. Barbara and Alison West, Phil's partner, hit winners down the line, while the men ran around the court, both winning and losing tricky drop shots. Rick's weariness in the first set resulted in a 0-6 loss for him and Barbara, but with Rick getting his second wind in the final set, they drew level, only to lose the tie break 6-7.
The chairman welcomed the president, Norma Woodcock, who presented cups to the winners. He thanked John White for organising the event.
The men's and women's A teams continue with their unbroken run of wins in The Plymouth and district League.
Results: Men's A (Lyndon Hardisty and Josh Brown, Luke Wakeley and Simon Prout) v Devonshire A (home) won 5-4. League points 54.
Men's B (Bernard Mowle and Ray Hinton, Gareth George and Tony Du'Gay) v Mannamead C (home) won 7-2. Pts 64.
Men's C (Charles Snow and Phil Harbottle, Ron Skinner and Rick Read) v Ivybridge C (home) won 8-2. Pts 37.
Men's D (Richard Hendin and Peter Rodgers, Paul Newton and Phil Snell) (home) won 8-1. Pts 52. Men's E (David Isaac and Angus McPhie, Owen Drage and Josh Evans) v Saltash (away) lost 7-3. Pts 34. Ladies A (Sarah Lucas and Roma McMahon, Alice Anstee and Sue Parsons) v Whiteford Road (away) won 8-1. Ladies B, match rescheduled.