Last Sunday was President's Day and we held the annual senior/junior American tournament for the Sharp Trophy. Two groups of six pairs played a round robin of tie-breaks with each young player having a senior partner with Roch Mirski, the island's most improved player for 2016, playing as a "senior" with the youngest player 7yr old Henry Leigh. There was a good mix of ages and fun was had by all with Club Chairman Stuart Colligon partnered by Sam Skelcher-Maxwell (12). Allmatches were tie-breaks except for s/finals and final which were Champions tie-breaks The prizes were presented by Club President, Bryan Sharp. Results; round robin Group A - winner Nerijus Gricivicius/Ailish Kelly, 2nd Jan Gaskill/Orry Farnworth, 3rd Roch Mirski/Henry Leigh, 4th Nick Kelly, Ben Bosworth, 5th Garreth Roome/Hadassah Smith, 6th Barbara Foley/Nathaniel Denton. Group B - winner Robbie Orr/Cameron Roome (9yrs) 2nd Ziggy Mirski/Charlotte Clarke, 3rd Stuart Colligon/Sam Skelcher Maxwell, 4th Jackie Russell, Greg Kelly, 5th Andrew Farnworth/Robert Russell, 6th Bryan Sharp /Ale Ramirez (10yrs). All players progressed to a knock-out stage. Results 1st round Bryan/Ale bt Garreth/Hadassah 7/5, Andrew/Robert bt Barbara /Nathaniel 7/3; 2nd round Nick/Ben bt Bryan/Ale 7/5, Andrew/Robert bt Jackie/Greg 7/6; qtr/finals - Nick/Ben bt Nerijus/Ailish7/5, Ziggy/Charlotte bt Roch/Henry 7/2, Stuart/Sam bt Jan/Orry 7/3, Robbie/Cameron bt Andrew/Robert 7/6; s/finals Ziggy/Charlotte bt Nick/Ben 10/3, Stuart/Sam bt Robbie/Cameron 10/8. Final Stuart/Sam bt Ziggy/Charlotte 10/2. This was a yellow ball event on full size court and the juniors played very well and were complimented by their senior partners.
We have had quite a few new members recently - probably the indoor court during the winter is an attraction. Can I recommend that you all take out the LTA's British Tennis Membership? It's free and gives many benefits ie entering the Wimbledon ballot, obtaining tickets for other events ie Davis Cup. Just log on to www.lta.org.uk and follow the links.
Will all juniors please hand in or post their entries for the next tournament - Albany Auxesia Junior OPEN asap. Ian will be back on Sunday but I want to have as many entries as possible in before the closing date 6pm Tuesday 8th November. I have to order the trophies at least 10 days before the finals on Saturday 19 November. This event is open to juniors from other clubs and it would benefit Island junior tennis if some "new faces" played. It can get boring playing the same players and I speak from experience. When I was playing we always new that the likes of Muriel Cain, Wendy McDowell, Mary Rigby, Janet Southam would be waiting for us if we managed to reach a semi-final. It was the same for the men : Ron Ronan, David Kennaugh, Dave Wilkinson, Nigel Walton, Colin Brown etc. So let's make it more interesting for our current juniors please.
A Night at the Races - Friday 25 November from 7pm. Tickets are now available from Kirsten Hall - email: kirsten.altc@gmail.com or mob. 391961. ?10 for fish & chip/?8 sausage & chip suppers inc. tea/coffee or soft drink.
Finally - parents of mini tennis players who attend coaching on Saturdays are welcome to have a game on the outdoor courts whilst the children are having their lesson indoors.
Photo - President's Day - Senior/Junior Event.
