British Ladies' Handicap Tournaments 2009

The British Ladies Handicap Tournament took place at the Oratory and Hardwick House real tennis courts from 23rd to 25th October. It was an excellent weekend and most exciting— particularly on two fronts: the large entry and the number of young players who really presented a challenge to the older more experienced players who were put on their mettle by the new talent. There were also a number of high handicappers who despite having to play under their handicap level played well and with enthusiasm: we look forward to seeing them back again next year with greatly improved handicaps.

The finals of both Divisions took place at Hardwick House to a very full dedans who gave support to the players. It was a real pleasure to see Sir Julian Rose who presented the prizes and trophies to the winners.

We are also very grateful to our sponsors who helped to make this event possible: Mike Coghlan of Blenheim Alpacas and Jo McGivern of the Handpicked Collection who provided some lovely prizes for the winners.

Thank you too to both the Oratory Tennis Club and Hardwick House Real Tennis Club for allowing us to use their courts.

And many thanks also to all those who contributed to making this annual event such a success: the tournament committee, the caterers, the organisers of the dinner, the local ladies who provided accommodation and the markers — including the local gentlemen who helped out so willingly at Hardwick!

Division Two

Division 2 rounds and knockouts were held under healthy competition at Hardwick House this year. Each grouping showed strong competition between players. It was good to see such a high number of higher handicappers as well as seeing some of the junior ladies joining in as well. There was a good selection of players from all over the UK in there giving their all. This year saw in both divisions their share of younger players presenting their youthful energy on the court — testing the ability and cunning of those with a few more years under their belt.

Not to be daunted by this — each group saw players present plenty of moments of awe and with surprise by the onlookers on “how did they get that back!?!”. And that was for all levels of experience. There was no lack of determination and this fed through to the knockouts after the successful round robins providing players with plenty of opportunity to play the game. By the end of Saturday the final players left ready to go through to a testing final were Jess Garside and Gill Goddard.

Sunday morning saw the battle lines drawn for the doubles knockout and again plenty of “ooh and aahs” as players demonstrated their tenacity, the occasional bit of luck but no-one ever giving up, providing strong play to the end! After some challenging games — the teams that made it to the finals again presented a battle of the ages with Jess Garside and Lucinda Piggott taking on Kim Walker and Katy Weston who had some local knowledge on their side!

By lunchtime Hardwick was humming with the arrival of the Division One finalists and as they say — let battle commence — with each Final represented by junior ladies and ladies of not such junior years.

The finals required the players to test their skill, present athletic ability and a lot of sheer determination to get to the winning point. The audience was provided a treat with all the final games providing some great tennis. In the Division 2 singles, Jess gave a huge challenge to Gill who worked hard to win 6-4 and in the doubles, Jess and her partner Lucinda prevailed against Kim and Katy winning 6-4.

Gill Goddard

British Ladies' Handicap Division I (54.9-) Singles and Doubles Draws (2009)

Due to the number of entrants, the Doubles has been changed to a knock out tournament.

The Singles and Doubles Knock-out matches in Division 1 will be played at the Oratory on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th and the morning of Sunday 5th. The Finals of the Singles and Doubles will be played at Hardwick House on Sunday afternoon.

In the Singles Round-Robin for the Group of four players, all matches: 30 minutes allowed, 1 first to 6-game set; for the Groups of three players, all matches: 40 minutes allowed, 1 first to 8-game set. Semi-finals and Final, 30 minutes allowed per match, 1 first to 6-game set. Matches will not be time limited, but knock-up time will be strictly limited to 2 minutes.

There are 4 Singles Round Robin Groups, one of 4 Players and three of 3 players. Group winners and Runners-up go through to the knock-out of the Singles event.

In the Doubles all matches: 30 minutes allowed, 1 first to 6 game set.

Please remember LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE PENALISED.

Handicaps will be checked on and updated from the National Handicap system as close as is practicable to the tournament start.

British Ladies' Handicap Division 2 (55+) Singles and Doubles Draws (2009)

Due to the handicaps of the entrants the divisions have been split at a higher handicap level than previously so the maximum handicap off which people may play has been raised to 65. Also, the Doubles will now be a knock out tournament due to the higher than expected number of entrants.

Matches in Division 2 (Singles Round-Robin and Knock-Out Doubles) will mostly be played at Hardwick but please note some Doubles are to be played at the Oratory. The Finals of the Division 1 Singles and Doubles will be played at Hardwick on Sunday afternoon. Should there be a clash between Singles matches at Hardwick and Doubles matches at the Oratory, the Singles matches will take precedence and Doubles matches will be rescheduled.

In the Singles Round-Robin for the Groups of four players, all matches: 30 minutes allowed, 1 first to 6-game set; for the group of three players, all matches: 40 minutes allowed, 1 first to 8-game set. Semi-finals and Finals 30 minutes allowed per match, 1 first to 6 game set. Matches will not be time limited, but knock-up time will be strictly limited to 2 minutes. All Group winners and Runners up will go through to the knock-out rounds of the Singles event.

In the Doubles knock out, all matches: 30 minutes allowed, 1 first to 6-game set.

Please remember LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE PENALISED.

Handicaps will be checked on and updated from the National Handicap system as close as is practicable to the tournament start.