TAVISTOCK Tennis Club was a hive of activity last week when it hosted the annual Devon Closed Junior Tennis Championships, 2002.

Not to be confused with the Tavistock Open Junior Ratings LTA National Tournament — a separate event in July — these championships are usually held at the Ivybridge Club. But, with major developments currently taking place making it difficult this year, Tavistock had the honour of being asked by the Devon LTA to accommodate it with its own expanded facilities which could cater for such a major event.

There were 111 entrants (80 boys and 31 girls) coming from all over Devon, with six participants from Tavistock and neighbouring areas.

The event was run on similar lines to the July tournament with singles and doubles events in different age groups (18 yrs and lower) under LTA rules. With such a large number of entries for some events there were pre-qualifying competitions. LTA qualified umpires and linepersons came from various Devon clubs with some from London. The standard of play was high, exceptional in some cases particularly in the later rounds and very competitive with some long hard fought three setters all of which provided good entertainment for spectators. The event was well attended by supporters, some of whom had travelled long distances.

Local players had some good matches. Ben Padfield (Tavistock) won the Boys Senior Plate, beating Matthew West (Teignmouth) in the final 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), a very close match; Rhys Byrne (Tavistock) just losing a first round match in 3 sets; James Kaminski (Tavistock) losing a tight qualifying match and Jonathan Carter (Okehampton) just losing a 3 set qualifier.

The outstanding player of the competition was Nick Owen (Ivybridge) who won both 16U and 18U events.

He also received the Salver for the most improved junior player over the year.

Mayor of Tavistock Ken Sanders presented the prizes and said it was a great privilege for the club to be invited by the Devon LTA to host this event. Robert Hough, Chairman Devon County LTA Junior Committee, expressed his thanks to the club for hosting the event with the excellent facilities provided, Mary Bayliss, referee, Plymouth LTA, for running it so admirably and was pleased to see such a thriving club. He also thanked G.S.Shobrook & Co (Plymouth) for its sponsorship, generosity and support.

Bill Smyly, Club Vice President, said what a wonderful week of tennis it had been. He congratulated the participants, thanked all those who had officiated and those who had worked so diligently behind the scenes in so many ways to make it such a success. Mrs Shobrook on behalf of herself and husband said that it was a pleasure to sponsor the event and wished the players every success in the future.

l It is with sadness that members of the Club heard of the death of Jim Roe, its oldest member aged 95 yrs, on 16th August.

Jim was a great lover of the game of tennis, played since a boy, initially in Surrey, and regularly with his wife, Doris, also a member, for over 60 yrs until she died in 1998.

After that he continued to have weekly knockups with John Burgess on his beloved court No. 3 the last being just two weeks before he died so he played right to the end.

Jim had a great interest in sport generally and as well as tennis, in his younger days played football, cycled and was a keen swimmer.