On a sunny, blustery, Covid spectator reduced autumnal afternoon Tavistock Tennis Club played out its 2020 finals, juniors alongside seniors.

Two previous winners triumphed in the open matches, Frances Lindsay defeating Karen Horton (6-0,6-1). Karen only joined the club in March and made it through to the finals in her first season, a terrific accomplishment given that five months ago she was politely asking if she was strong enough to graduate from the club’s ‘Find You Level’ sessions to full club sessions, on which trajectory next year could be her year.

Meanwhile Peter Bradley, who came up through the ranks being coached as a boy in the junior section, never faltered against Tim Mitchell (6-1,6-0).

The junior singles championships, although a clean sweep for the Rizks, produced closer matches, Joe Rizk defeating Lewis Critchley while his sister Zara defeated Olivia Clark. More importantly the chairman, Peter Rodgers, while presenting trophies, was able to mention the quality of the sportsmanship displayed in these matches, because in the absence of umpires players have to make their own line call decisions, which requires a distanced impartiality sometimes at odds with the heat of competition. And competition there was because, unlike with the grown-ups, the scores couldn’t have been closer, both matches being decided 10-8 in championship tie-breaks.

In the girls’ doubles Sienna Critchley and Connie Canvin defeated Erin Hill and Mia Buckley 6-4, 7-6 in a competitive match between juniors who have also become close friends.

In the ladies’ doubles Frances Lindsay and Lucy Hillman defeated Alison Clish-Green and Linda Williams, 6-2, 6-1. What is remarkable, however, is that Alison won the club ladies’ singles championship back in 1973 (before Frances was born).

Tennis is a sport for life, Alison still playing in the spirited manner of a teenager, her shots occasionally defying gravity to hit the back fence before the earth, her movement only hampered by a recent knee injury. The men’s doubles, and mixed doubles and boys’ doubles were delayed by the recent inclement weather and will be played later.

Tavistock Tennis Club has had a remarkable season. In early March 2020 the club had 240 members in total— that has risen to 384 active members of which 185 are new members (including many families).

Peter Rodgers handed out the trophies, but unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions, was prevented from delivering his customary formal speech. Instead his official spokesperson said: ‘It is a bizarre product of our difficult times that 2020 has been a fantastic year for Tavistock Tennis Club, capped by a memorable finals day.

Our courts are all-weather, as are our members. Playing tennis outdoors in the fresh air throughout the year is a great, sociable way to keep as fit and healthy as possible, prophylaxis against any viral attack.

‘The club continues to welcome new members of all standards throughout the winter (beginners are especially welcome) and let us hope that next year my short prize-giving speech will be appreciated by a larger audience.’