British Handicap 2017 Report and Photos
BRITISH LADIES’ HANDICAP SINGLES AND DOUBLES TOURNAMENTS
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November 2017
held at
Hardwick House and the Oratory
Supported by an Anonymous Donor
held at
Hardwick House and the Oratory
Supported by an Anonymous Donor
Click here for British Handicap 2017 Results
Elaine Wright and Annabel Wyatt Div 1 Doubles winners with Tim Tomalin, Chairman of Hardwick House Tennis Club
Div 2 Doubles winners Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Sarah Sullivan
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Many thanks to Linda Fairbrother for the photos
A smaller number than usual took part this year in the British Ladies Handicap: some usual suspects injured, some last minute withdrawals for family reasons, and very few new faces. Which meant that for those who came, there was all the more to play for (hope springs eternal).
Katy Weston the organiser did a great job of last-minute re-organisations, with trouble with illness, flat tyres and missing players. This led to a happy situation on Sunday at Hardwick, when marker Adam Phillips became an honorary Lady (without skirt), to partner our farthest-flung entrant, Frenchwoman Audrey Perie, in a friendly match to replace a cancelled one.
The cut-off between the two Divisions was higher placed than usual, with 59/60 as the magic barrier for Singles, and 61 for Doubles. A cap of 70 was imposed for Division 2.
With most games played to best of six (in fact, to best of five, as each match began at one all), some of the matches were brutally short, but as always played in a great spirit of friendliness and fun despite fierce competition.
Division 1 Singles
There were three round robin groups in the Singles, with ten players in all. All matches began at one game all; the two groups with three players played best of 8; the third group, with four players, went to best of 6.
There was a cracking start to the tournament with Group A’s Pam Tomalin against Georgina Seigneur with some very close games and a fine clawback by Georgina from 5/2 down to almost level. Pam kept her focus, however, to bamboozle Georgina with loopy shots into corners, winning 8/4. In the next match, Pam was the one behind, facing Charlotte Barker who raced ahead to 4/1. But it then became a very tight match with six games all, till Charlotte held her nerve and won 8/6. She then went on to sweep the board in that group, with an 8/4 score against Georgina, despite a fierce mid-match fightback by her opponent.
By this time people were looking at the clock and wondering where one of the players in Group B might be: Carolyn Armstrong-Smith, due to arrive before 12.20. While the first match between Katie Leppard and Amanda Murphy was turning into a tight tussle, as Amanda re-grouped at 7/3 down to bring things back to 7 all, a phone call from Carolyn explained that she had a flat tyre and was still only a few miles from her home. Oblivious of this on court, Katie moved the ball around to force errors from Amanda, and took the match 8/7. The group’s remaining matches were thus played with a large gap between the first and the remaining matches! So three hours later, Katie took on Carolyn, who not surprisingly by this time was somewhat frazzled, allowing Katie to impose with her low ground strokes and win 8/3. Against Amanda, Carolyn was more herself, and though Amanda was moving really well to reach a lot of far balls, Carolyn’s steady pressure took the day, 8/3.
In the final Group (C) with four players, each match was just to six games. Linda Fairbrother and Gabrielle Smart were literally neck-and-neck in their match, with all but one game going to 40 all. Only good serving from Linda saved her in a number of games, but true to form, the last game at 5 all also went to 40 all, and Gabrielle, having laid Chase better than a yard, took the match by a whisker. Felicity Sargent, the youngest player in Division 1, against Candida Nicholls had some fine rests, including one of around 12 shots which ended with a force to the Grille by Felicity. This ability to finish off a long rest with a Winning Opening continued in this match, which Felicity won 8/4. She went on to her next match against Linda on fire after beating Candida, and hit low and fast into corners, or high and fast into dedans or grille, winning 6/1. Against Gabrielle, Felicity was now also serving better and better, and able even under pressure to control her shots from fierce ground strokes to dinky little shots into a corner or tambour. 6/2 to Felicity.
Gabrielle against Candida looked like being a breeze for Gabrielle who went up to 5/1, taking advantage of some over-hitting by Candida. However, Candida began to get a lower stance and hit better and pulled back to 4/5. At which point, Gabrielle knuckled down and finished the job, 6/4.
The winner and runner-up of each group went through to the knock-out stage in a rather complicated format to get two finalists from six players.
Katie Leppard (winner A) against Gabrielle Smart (Runner-up C) was a tight match, with most games going to 40 all. Gabrielle played a steady reactive game, and cunningly stopped Katie from volleying service returns with spot-on length of serves. At 4 all, however Katie played a great kick serve at 40 all (again) to take it to 5/4, and then continued to serve well to win the match, 6/4.
Felicity (WC) met Pam (RB) in the next match, as close as could be. Good serving from Pam put pressure on Felicity, who put the ball into the net far more than previously. At 5/3, and 40/30 to Pam, she seemed home and dry. But she then allowed Felicity to scrabble it to 4/5, and then lost the next game too, despite a dash to the right, a dash to the left, and then a dash to the net to hit the ball to the base of the tambour (from someone who claims to be immobile........!). In the final game, Felicity placed two serves into the nick, followed by a force to the grille: Pam got the serve with Chase 1 and 2; then Felicity got the serve back again, and nerveless till now, Pam finally succumbed and lost Chase better than six. 6/5 to Felicity, who kept her cool admirably to go through to the Final.
Katie Leppard then met Charlotte Barker (WA) to decide the other finalist. Katie was giving Charlotte a useful handicap, and Charlotte made the most of this help, though her play was also excellent, picking up even the best of Katie’s low railroad serves, and laying good chases into empty corners. At 3 all, it was difficult to predict who might win, but Charlotte moved ahead as Katie began to make a few errors, possibly through over-thinking where to put the shots. Charlotte through, 6/3. Lucy Hutchinson, however, took credit for the win, as she had provided a new LRTA shirt to Charlotte just before the start, which obviously did the trick.
In the Final, two of the younger players squared up – Felicity Sargent (Manchester) against Charlotte Barker (Hampton Court), with Charlotte receiving 15 every game.
This was a fascinating match of two halves. Felicity romped ahead, and took less than five minutes to get to 4/1, with Charlotte only allowed about two points, never mind a game, and certainly no chance to leave the Hazard end. Felicity took never a breath between serves and launched a succession of unreturnable low flat shots; it looked as if the Final would be over in less than ten minutes. But Charlotte had other ideas, and finally laid a chase and got to serve and win the next game, and the next and the next – 4/4. By now, Charlotte was buzzing, and playing beautiful cross-court shots at will. And from then on, Felicity looked rather flat-footed, and even a Winning Gallery shot to give her 40/30 in the next game could not save her. Charlotte showed great grit to win the Singles Final, 6/4.
Division 1 Doubles
Six pairs played in the Doubles competition with handicaps ranging from 48.7 to 60.2.
First up, Linda Fairbrother with Candida Nicholls against much-fancied Katie Leppard and Pam Tomalin. Candida coped well with Katie’s railroad, and though Linda in the first game had difficulty with Pam’s, she then settled down to business, firing into the far corner. Cramping Katie and Pam with side wall ground strokes, Candida and Linda had an error-free performance , winning 6/2.
Linda Sheraton-Davis with Gabrielle Smart then played Rebecca Kashti and Sarah Brownlee. Rebecca and Sarah played a totally solid game, nothing fancy but with good safe ground strokes. And despite Gabrielle’s excellent returns of serve along the wall, and Linda’s good side wall serves, Rebecca and Sarah won 6/3.
Rebecca and Sarah then met Charlotte Barker and Amanda Murphy, the highest handicapped pair. Sarah had an unfortunate start with a double-fault, and then two shots later, her opponent Amanda sent up a high lob that missed hitting the roof by inches, and then fell impossibly close under the grille. These two mishaps seemed to spook Rebecca and Sarah who never quite got into their stride, and were beaten 6/2 by Charlotte and Amanda.
Linda F and Candida then met Annabel Wyatt and Elaine Wright in the second round. Linda and Candida stuck to their plan to keep shots as close to the walls as possible, and despite good ground strokes from Annabel and Elaine, all stayed level 3/3. Then Elaine got into a good grove of returns of Linda’s service, Candida began to find the net rather too often, and the Prested pair found their range. Games were close, but Annabel and Elaine pulled away to win 6/3 to go through to the Final.
In the Final, the two highest handicap pairs were up against each other so there was only a small handicap in Charlotte and Amanda’s favour. The Prested pair, Annabel and Elaine, continued their previous form with stonking open-shoulder hits at any available ball. Annabel in particular played like a demon, not just a solid wall impossible to get past, but also creating the occasional ‘unfair’ winning shot too, like one shot from the forehand service side, which bounced mid-court and gracefully flew into the Winning Gallery. Enough to take the stuffing out of any opponents, and though Charlotte and Amanda kept fighting, they couldn’t get the points. At 5/3, Elaine found the dedans, and then Annabel attacked a Better than Last chase with a high bouncer that won the chase, and the match, 6/3.
Division 2 - Division 2 Singles
Ten players took part in the Division 2 Singles tournament, with handicaps 61+. They first played in three Round Robin groups all held at Hardwick. In the first group (D), playing best of 8, the first match got things off to a good start in a very enjoyable match between Lucy Davies and Sarah Sullivan, with a particular emphasis on some very good chases, won by Sarah 8/4. She then took on Frenchwoman Audrey Perie who fought well creating some excellent long rests, with good serving by both players. The final point was won in great style by Sarah, beating Chase 2, and with it the match 8/6. Lucy and Audrey then played in a match where the results do not reflect the quality of play; home court advantage to Lucy, 8/3.
The second group (E) had two very close matches, with Abby Hayton coming off worse both times. Against Elaine Wright, it went to the wire, with Elaine getting the final point, 8/7. And against Di Wilson, almost as close, where Di’s dedans forces ensured she kept the lead, winning eventually 8/6. In the match between Di and Elaine, Elaine had a slow start but then picked up. Di kept her nerve and her lead, however, winning 8/3.
In the final group (F), played between four to best of six games, Rosie Law took the honours, winning all of her three matches convincingly, playing better than her handicap might suggest. Diane Binnie came second, winning two matches with some excellent serving that gave little opportunity for her opposition to attack, or even to get to the service end. Annabel Wyatt, whose strong ground strokes are usually fearsome, seemed a bit cautious, and though she served well throughout, couldn’t get through Rosie or Diane’s defence. Against Geri Brooksbank, however, she was able to dominate from the beginning, serving difficult angles and keeping Geri at the Hazard end. Geri put up a good fight, however, as she also did against Rosie and Diane, but was unable to convert her fighting spirit into the crucial points.
In the Knock out stages, all played best of 6, Lucy Davies went through against Elaine Wright with some exceptional serving; and Di Wilson beat Diane Binnie with a good display of forcing to the dedans. In the semis, Lucy met Rosie Law, who served beautifully, which with the huge handicap difference gave Lucy much of an uphill struggle, losing 6/1. In the second semi, Sarah Sullivan played Di Wilson in a match which started very level, with both playing excellent shots. But Sarah then laid some superior chases, and played more solidly with commendable concentration, to win 6/3.
In the Division 2 Singles final, then, Sarah Sullivan met Rosie Law, with a useful handicap in favour of Rosie. It was a tight match going to a final shoot-out at 5/5, 40 all. It was nip and tuck all the way, with neither player getting in to a good rhythm, as both were alternating a mixture of defensive looping shots with strong flat ground strokes, apparently at random. Sarah appeared to have the edge on good serves, but Rosie also performed some great bobbles, so it was no surprise that the match got to 5 all, with Rosie serving. She then rather nervously made two errors, but managed to keep Sarah at bay to get to 40/15. Sarah kept her cool, and with a splendid cross-court shot and then a good serve, got things to 40/40 match point. A great length shot falling near the Hazard back wall gave Sarah the match, 6/5.
Division 2 Doubles
Unfortunately, two pairs dropped out at the last minute, so that left only five couples, and a complicated draw to work out, with a round robin of three pairs with two going through; and a knock-out with seven scheduled matches, involving some doubling-up of partners, to get to the eventual finalists.
The round robin between three pairs sorted out two couples – Rosie Law and Di Wilson who won both their matches with some solid careful play - and Lucy Davies with Diane Binnie. Rosie and Di against Lucy and Diane had excellent strokes from both side, but Rosie and Di won 6/2. Against Geri Brooksbank and Abby Hayton, it was a close contest, just won by Rosie and Di who continued to play solidly and safely. Geri and Abby against Lucy and Diane was another close match with Geri and Abby taking the lead at 5/3, but Diane and Lucy upped their game and with great assurance went on to win 6/5.
In the preliminary knock-out match, Sarah Sullivan and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith then played Abby Hayton, who this time was partnering Audrey Perie. Alas for Abby, once more on the losing side. That left four couples in it for the semi-finals. Firstly, Rosie and Di went through to the finals as a walk-over. While in the other semi, Lucy’s brilliant serving and perfect length of shots was not enough to save her and partner Diane from the teamwork of Sarah and Carolyn, who won easily 6/2, and became the other finalist pair.
So in the Doubles Division 2 Finals, held on Sunday afternoon at The Oratory, Sarah Sullivan and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith met Rosie Law and Di Wilson. There was good steady play from both pairs, with the occasional brilliant shot down the side-wall emerging from all four players. Of the four, Carolyn was the most menacing and likely to cause a problem, but generally it was a matter of who first made an error, rather than who made a killer shot. All was even to 3/3, then Di and Rosie tried to break the deadlock by changing formation, to forward and back, rather than both at the back. This proved to be a mistake, as Carolyn and Sarah won the next game and never looked in trouble after, going on to be comfortably ahead with 5/3. In what turned out to be the final fame, Sarah hit the ball into the Winning Gallery, and then made a shot to the base of the tambour. At 40/40 it was all over, with the Final going to Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Sarah Sullivan 6/3.
Our grateful thanks to The Oratory and Hardwick clubs for hosting the tournament, and to Marc Seigneur and Adam Phillips for their marking throughout. Also thanks for the Saturday night dinner, and to Katy Weston who, as usual, ran a super event calmly and coolly, with the help of Lucy Hutchinson who organised food and drinks from behind the counter as well as manning the kit stall.
Report by Linda Fairbrother, with the help of notes from Geri Brooksbank for Division 2 at Hardwick, and from Lucy Hutchinson for Division 1 at The Oratory.
Katy Weston the organiser did a great job of last-minute re-organisations, with trouble with illness, flat tyres and missing players. This led to a happy situation on Sunday at Hardwick, when marker Adam Phillips became an honorary Lady (without skirt), to partner our farthest-flung entrant, Frenchwoman Audrey Perie, in a friendly match to replace a cancelled one.
The cut-off between the two Divisions was higher placed than usual, with 59/60 as the magic barrier for Singles, and 61 for Doubles. A cap of 70 was imposed for Division 2.
With most games played to best of six (in fact, to best of five, as each match began at one all), some of the matches were brutally short, but as always played in a great spirit of friendliness and fun despite fierce competition.
Division 1 Singles
There were three round robin groups in the Singles, with ten players in all. All matches began at one game all; the two groups with three players played best of 8; the third group, with four players, went to best of 6.
There was a cracking start to the tournament with Group A’s Pam Tomalin against Georgina Seigneur with some very close games and a fine clawback by Georgina from 5/2 down to almost level. Pam kept her focus, however, to bamboozle Georgina with loopy shots into corners, winning 8/4. In the next match, Pam was the one behind, facing Charlotte Barker who raced ahead to 4/1. But it then became a very tight match with six games all, till Charlotte held her nerve and won 8/6. She then went on to sweep the board in that group, with an 8/4 score against Georgina, despite a fierce mid-match fightback by her opponent.
By this time people were looking at the clock and wondering where one of the players in Group B might be: Carolyn Armstrong-Smith, due to arrive before 12.20. While the first match between Katie Leppard and Amanda Murphy was turning into a tight tussle, as Amanda re-grouped at 7/3 down to bring things back to 7 all, a phone call from Carolyn explained that she had a flat tyre and was still only a few miles from her home. Oblivious of this on court, Katie moved the ball around to force errors from Amanda, and took the match 8/7. The group’s remaining matches were thus played with a large gap between the first and the remaining matches! So three hours later, Katie took on Carolyn, who not surprisingly by this time was somewhat frazzled, allowing Katie to impose with her low ground strokes and win 8/3. Against Amanda, Carolyn was more herself, and though Amanda was moving really well to reach a lot of far balls, Carolyn’s steady pressure took the day, 8/3.
In the final Group (C) with four players, each match was just to six games. Linda Fairbrother and Gabrielle Smart were literally neck-and-neck in their match, with all but one game going to 40 all. Only good serving from Linda saved her in a number of games, but true to form, the last game at 5 all also went to 40 all, and Gabrielle, having laid Chase better than a yard, took the match by a whisker. Felicity Sargent, the youngest player in Division 1, against Candida Nicholls had some fine rests, including one of around 12 shots which ended with a force to the Grille by Felicity. This ability to finish off a long rest with a Winning Opening continued in this match, which Felicity won 8/4. She went on to her next match against Linda on fire after beating Candida, and hit low and fast into corners, or high and fast into dedans or grille, winning 6/1. Against Gabrielle, Felicity was now also serving better and better, and able even under pressure to control her shots from fierce ground strokes to dinky little shots into a corner or tambour. 6/2 to Felicity.
Gabrielle against Candida looked like being a breeze for Gabrielle who went up to 5/1, taking advantage of some over-hitting by Candida. However, Candida began to get a lower stance and hit better and pulled back to 4/5. At which point, Gabrielle knuckled down and finished the job, 6/4.
The winner and runner-up of each group went through to the knock-out stage in a rather complicated format to get two finalists from six players.
Katie Leppard (winner A) against Gabrielle Smart (Runner-up C) was a tight match, with most games going to 40 all. Gabrielle played a steady reactive game, and cunningly stopped Katie from volleying service returns with spot-on length of serves. At 4 all, however Katie played a great kick serve at 40 all (again) to take it to 5/4, and then continued to serve well to win the match, 6/4.
Felicity (WC) met Pam (RB) in the next match, as close as could be. Good serving from Pam put pressure on Felicity, who put the ball into the net far more than previously. At 5/3, and 40/30 to Pam, she seemed home and dry. But she then allowed Felicity to scrabble it to 4/5, and then lost the next game too, despite a dash to the right, a dash to the left, and then a dash to the net to hit the ball to the base of the tambour (from someone who claims to be immobile........!). In the final game, Felicity placed two serves into the nick, followed by a force to the grille: Pam got the serve with Chase 1 and 2; then Felicity got the serve back again, and nerveless till now, Pam finally succumbed and lost Chase better than six. 6/5 to Felicity, who kept her cool admirably to go through to the Final.
Katie Leppard then met Charlotte Barker (WA) to decide the other finalist. Katie was giving Charlotte a useful handicap, and Charlotte made the most of this help, though her play was also excellent, picking up even the best of Katie’s low railroad serves, and laying good chases into empty corners. At 3 all, it was difficult to predict who might win, but Charlotte moved ahead as Katie began to make a few errors, possibly through over-thinking where to put the shots. Charlotte through, 6/3. Lucy Hutchinson, however, took credit for the win, as she had provided a new LRTA shirt to Charlotte just before the start, which obviously did the trick.
In the Final, two of the younger players squared up – Felicity Sargent (Manchester) against Charlotte Barker (Hampton Court), with Charlotte receiving 15 every game.
This was a fascinating match of two halves. Felicity romped ahead, and took less than five minutes to get to 4/1, with Charlotte only allowed about two points, never mind a game, and certainly no chance to leave the Hazard end. Felicity took never a breath between serves and launched a succession of unreturnable low flat shots; it looked as if the Final would be over in less than ten minutes. But Charlotte had other ideas, and finally laid a chase and got to serve and win the next game, and the next and the next – 4/4. By now, Charlotte was buzzing, and playing beautiful cross-court shots at will. And from then on, Felicity looked rather flat-footed, and even a Winning Gallery shot to give her 40/30 in the next game could not save her. Charlotte showed great grit to win the Singles Final, 6/4.
Division 1 Doubles
Six pairs played in the Doubles competition with handicaps ranging from 48.7 to 60.2.
First up, Linda Fairbrother with Candida Nicholls against much-fancied Katie Leppard and Pam Tomalin. Candida coped well with Katie’s railroad, and though Linda in the first game had difficulty with Pam’s, she then settled down to business, firing into the far corner. Cramping Katie and Pam with side wall ground strokes, Candida and Linda had an error-free performance , winning 6/2.
Linda Sheraton-Davis with Gabrielle Smart then played Rebecca Kashti and Sarah Brownlee. Rebecca and Sarah played a totally solid game, nothing fancy but with good safe ground strokes. And despite Gabrielle’s excellent returns of serve along the wall, and Linda’s good side wall serves, Rebecca and Sarah won 6/3.
Rebecca and Sarah then met Charlotte Barker and Amanda Murphy, the highest handicapped pair. Sarah had an unfortunate start with a double-fault, and then two shots later, her opponent Amanda sent up a high lob that missed hitting the roof by inches, and then fell impossibly close under the grille. These two mishaps seemed to spook Rebecca and Sarah who never quite got into their stride, and were beaten 6/2 by Charlotte and Amanda.
Linda F and Candida then met Annabel Wyatt and Elaine Wright in the second round. Linda and Candida stuck to their plan to keep shots as close to the walls as possible, and despite good ground strokes from Annabel and Elaine, all stayed level 3/3. Then Elaine got into a good grove of returns of Linda’s service, Candida began to find the net rather too often, and the Prested pair found their range. Games were close, but Annabel and Elaine pulled away to win 6/3 to go through to the Final.
In the Final, the two highest handicap pairs were up against each other so there was only a small handicap in Charlotte and Amanda’s favour. The Prested pair, Annabel and Elaine, continued their previous form with stonking open-shoulder hits at any available ball. Annabel in particular played like a demon, not just a solid wall impossible to get past, but also creating the occasional ‘unfair’ winning shot too, like one shot from the forehand service side, which bounced mid-court and gracefully flew into the Winning Gallery. Enough to take the stuffing out of any opponents, and though Charlotte and Amanda kept fighting, they couldn’t get the points. At 5/3, Elaine found the dedans, and then Annabel attacked a Better than Last chase with a high bouncer that won the chase, and the match, 6/3.
Division 2 - Division 2 Singles
Ten players took part in the Division 2 Singles tournament, with handicaps 61+. They first played in three Round Robin groups all held at Hardwick. In the first group (D), playing best of 8, the first match got things off to a good start in a very enjoyable match between Lucy Davies and Sarah Sullivan, with a particular emphasis on some very good chases, won by Sarah 8/4. She then took on Frenchwoman Audrey Perie who fought well creating some excellent long rests, with good serving by both players. The final point was won in great style by Sarah, beating Chase 2, and with it the match 8/6. Lucy and Audrey then played in a match where the results do not reflect the quality of play; home court advantage to Lucy, 8/3.
The second group (E) had two very close matches, with Abby Hayton coming off worse both times. Against Elaine Wright, it went to the wire, with Elaine getting the final point, 8/7. And against Di Wilson, almost as close, where Di’s dedans forces ensured she kept the lead, winning eventually 8/6. In the match between Di and Elaine, Elaine had a slow start but then picked up. Di kept her nerve and her lead, however, winning 8/3.
In the final group (F), played between four to best of six games, Rosie Law took the honours, winning all of her three matches convincingly, playing better than her handicap might suggest. Diane Binnie came second, winning two matches with some excellent serving that gave little opportunity for her opposition to attack, or even to get to the service end. Annabel Wyatt, whose strong ground strokes are usually fearsome, seemed a bit cautious, and though she served well throughout, couldn’t get through Rosie or Diane’s defence. Against Geri Brooksbank, however, she was able to dominate from the beginning, serving difficult angles and keeping Geri at the Hazard end. Geri put up a good fight, however, as she also did against Rosie and Diane, but was unable to convert her fighting spirit into the crucial points.
In the Knock out stages, all played best of 6, Lucy Davies went through against Elaine Wright with some exceptional serving; and Di Wilson beat Diane Binnie with a good display of forcing to the dedans. In the semis, Lucy met Rosie Law, who served beautifully, which with the huge handicap difference gave Lucy much of an uphill struggle, losing 6/1. In the second semi, Sarah Sullivan played Di Wilson in a match which started very level, with both playing excellent shots. But Sarah then laid some superior chases, and played more solidly with commendable concentration, to win 6/3.
In the Division 2 Singles final, then, Sarah Sullivan met Rosie Law, with a useful handicap in favour of Rosie. It was a tight match going to a final shoot-out at 5/5, 40 all. It was nip and tuck all the way, with neither player getting in to a good rhythm, as both were alternating a mixture of defensive looping shots with strong flat ground strokes, apparently at random. Sarah appeared to have the edge on good serves, but Rosie also performed some great bobbles, so it was no surprise that the match got to 5 all, with Rosie serving. She then rather nervously made two errors, but managed to keep Sarah at bay to get to 40/15. Sarah kept her cool, and with a splendid cross-court shot and then a good serve, got things to 40/40 match point. A great length shot falling near the Hazard back wall gave Sarah the match, 6/5.
Division 2 Doubles
Unfortunately, two pairs dropped out at the last minute, so that left only five couples, and a complicated draw to work out, with a round robin of three pairs with two going through; and a knock-out with seven scheduled matches, involving some doubling-up of partners, to get to the eventual finalists.
The round robin between three pairs sorted out two couples – Rosie Law and Di Wilson who won both their matches with some solid careful play - and Lucy Davies with Diane Binnie. Rosie and Di against Lucy and Diane had excellent strokes from both side, but Rosie and Di won 6/2. Against Geri Brooksbank and Abby Hayton, it was a close contest, just won by Rosie and Di who continued to play solidly and safely. Geri and Abby against Lucy and Diane was another close match with Geri and Abby taking the lead at 5/3, but Diane and Lucy upped their game and with great assurance went on to win 6/5.
In the preliminary knock-out match, Sarah Sullivan and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith then played Abby Hayton, who this time was partnering Audrey Perie. Alas for Abby, once more on the losing side. That left four couples in it for the semi-finals. Firstly, Rosie and Di went through to the finals as a walk-over. While in the other semi, Lucy’s brilliant serving and perfect length of shots was not enough to save her and partner Diane from the teamwork of Sarah and Carolyn, who won easily 6/2, and became the other finalist pair.
So in the Doubles Division 2 Finals, held on Sunday afternoon at The Oratory, Sarah Sullivan and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith met Rosie Law and Di Wilson. There was good steady play from both pairs, with the occasional brilliant shot down the side-wall emerging from all four players. Of the four, Carolyn was the most menacing and likely to cause a problem, but generally it was a matter of who first made an error, rather than who made a killer shot. All was even to 3/3, then Di and Rosie tried to break the deadlock by changing formation, to forward and back, rather than both at the back. This proved to be a mistake, as Carolyn and Sarah won the next game and never looked in trouble after, going on to be comfortably ahead with 5/3. In what turned out to be the final fame, Sarah hit the ball into the Winning Gallery, and then made a shot to the base of the tambour. At 40/40 it was all over, with the Final going to Carolyn Armstrong-Smith and Sarah Sullivan 6/3.
Our grateful thanks to The Oratory and Hardwick clubs for hosting the tournament, and to Marc Seigneur and Adam Phillips for their marking throughout. Also thanks for the Saturday night dinner, and to Katy Weston who, as usual, ran a super event calmly and coolly, with the help of Lucy Hutchinson who organised food and drinks from behind the counter as well as manning the kit stall.
Report by Linda Fairbrother, with the help of notes from Geri Brooksbank for Division 2 at Hardwick, and from Lucy Hutchinson for Division 1 at The Oratory.