The Annual Albany Equiom Junior Open tournament was blessed with good weather and some very high standard matches were played. Special awards were made to Roch Mirski ( Best Performance) and Caitlin Henery (Most Improved Player). One match of note on finals day was in 18 &U singles when Jay Skelcher-Maxwell eventually beat Sasha Thomas 3/6 7/5 (16-14)At the conclusion of finals on Sunday, the prizes were presented by Aiden Davin on behalf of the sponsors Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited. Club Chairman thanked Aiden for doing the honours, Ian Watson as referee, Jan Gaskill and parents who provided the tea. Results – 8&U singles – novice r/r Group A winner Henry Dawson r/up Libby Moore. Group B winner Gabriel Murphy r/up Jacob Ward; semi-finals Henry bt Jacob 7/4, Libby bt Gabriel 7/3, Final Henry by Libby 7/5. 8 &U main draw r/r Gr. 1 winner Orry Farnworth, r/up Ryan Colquitt; Gr 2 winner Hadassah Smith, r/up Henry Leigh; s/finals Orry bt Henry 7/2, Ryan bt Hadassah 7/2; Final Orry bt Ryan 7/5. 9&U singles r/r Group A winner Orry Farnworth, r/up Cameron Roome; Gr B winner Greg Kelly, r/up Lucas Harding; s/f Orry bt Lucas 7/1 8/6, Greg bt Cameron 7/4 7/1; Final Orry bt Greg 7/5 7/1. 10& U singles r/r winner Caitlin Henery 4 wins (on count back), r/up Orry Farnworth 4 wins, 3rd Sarah Long 3 wins; 12 & u r/r winner Roch Mirski, r/up Jayden Go, 3rd Sam Skelcher-Maxwell; 18U r/r winner Sean Drewry, r/up Jay Skelcher-Maxwell, 3rd Roch Mirski. 12 &U doubles r/r winners Roch & Sam, r/up Jayden Go/Charlotte Clarke, 3rd Caitlin/Sarah . The standard of junior tennis at Albany is really encouraging for the future of the club and is due mainly to Club Coach, Ian Watson’s junior programme, dedication of the players and support from parents.

On Tuesday the club hosted tennis coaching and lunch for the 17 children from Belarus who are spending 4 weeks holiday on the Island under the auspices of The Friends of Children of Chernobyl. Despite it being very sunny and warm the children played enthusiastically outdoors and learnt some initial skills, with Ian Watson, Rob Orr, Bryan Sharp and Sean Drewry. They then enjoyed lunch provided by Jan Gaskill and some Friday Morning Ladies. Before leaving they were presented with a T shirt and ice lolly which they accepted with the customary, very loud “Thank you very much”. It was nice to see a regular interpreter,Olga plus another who came here as a child 10yrs ago. The whole visit is well organised by Norman and Joan Rivers and their helpers. It costs a lot of money to bring 17 children here and donations to F o C of C would be gratefully accepted,

Will all Albany juniors please note that the postponed IOMLTA Junior Championships has now been re-arranged for 27 August – 4 September. Entry is on line www.lta.org/in-you-area/Isleofman or e-mail iomtennis@manx.net. 

We are still looking for extra entries for the Chrystals Senior Open tournament. Good cash prizes and indoor court vouchers on offer. E-mail ianwatsonpts@manx.net, mob. 496293 or there are forms in the club house and indoor court. Entries from other clubs seem a bit low.

Photo - Children from Chernobyl ready for lunch.