LRTA Mixed Handicap Report and Photos 2013

The LRTA Mixed Handicap Doubles Tournament
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Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June 2013

Go to LRTA Mixed Handicap Doubles Results 2013

Thanks to Simon Flynn for these photos apart from the last one taken by Kay Halpert

The round robin groups were all very close with two pairs winning all their group matches:  Jess Garside & Simon Flynn and Doris & Geoff Oldland,  both local pairs.  Both the first and last group had to wait until the last match to decide the 1st & 2nd places as the top two pairs tied on matches won and points gained so it came down to points against.  It was good to see several of the pairs from away going through and not just those from Seacourt, which has happened before.  I think that it proves that the handicaps do work as several matches went to 5-5 which makes it a long day for the marker.

Peter Dawes, Danny Jones and Alex Garside at the pre-dinner drinks

The tables at the Garsides ready for dinner

The semi final rounds found Tony & Fiona up against Alex & Spencer.  This was another huge handicap for Alex & Spencer and one they found difficult to deal with.  Alex served very well and constantly beat Fiona with it but she double faulted to give away a fight back at 2-3 down.  With such a large handicap to give Alex & Spencer could not afford to make any mistakes but unfortunately they did and Fiona & Tony went on to win 6-3.  The other match was more even in handicap but with Simon forcing Jill into making mistakes and Carolyn showing great coolness under pressure they proved too strong for Jill and Chris and won 6-1.

The runners up Carolyn Armstrong Smith and Simon de Halpert receive their prizes

A great view of the court

The first match on Sunday found the local pair of Patsy Danby & Simon Armstrong playing Sara & Christopher Reston.  Patsy was very steady throughout and with Simon hitting the ball very hard and placing it well when needed they won 6-3.  The second match was local pair Jess Garside & Simon Flynn against Carolyn Armstrong-Smith & Simon de Halpert.  Jess & Simon were a strong pair but made the mistake of playing too much on Simon who is a very accurate player, cutting the ball down to make very good chases.  Carolyn played well and supported her partner and they went on to win 6-4.  Ros & John Hedges found they could not capitalise on the handicap when playing Alex Garside & Spencer Davies who played the large handicaps well, remaining very cool under pressure.  Alex and Spencer went on to win 6-3.  The next match was between Jill Newby & Chris Davies and Lucy Hutchinson & Peter Swiss from Petworth.  In this match both the ladies excelled with particularly Jill finishing the points very well.  Jill & Chris went on to win the match 6-3.  Patsy & Simon then came up against the strong husband and wife pairing of Fiona & Tony Harrison.  Good shots were played by all on court but Tony’s bouncing serve proved too strong for Patsy and Simon made several unforced errors that, when giving a handicap, makes it harder and the Harrison’s went on to win 6-4.  The last quarter final match was between Simon & Carolyn playing Doris & Geoff Oldland.  With a large handicap to give Simon had to use all his skill and experience to beat Doris & Geoff quite convincingly.  Other than Doris hitting the dedans three times in one game they found it very hard to win many points against the better pair and Carolyn and Simon went on to win 6-2.

Sheilagh Owens, Simon de Halpert and Carolyn Armstrong-Smith relaxing in the Seacourt bar

The final with Tony & Fiona getting quite a large handicap from Simon & Carolyn proved very one sided.  Simon made more errors than before which let Fiona & Tony capitalise on the points they were given. Fiona and Tony went on to win the match 8-2.  It was the first time we had had a pair from Jesmond playing and apart from the Restons from Fontainebleau (another first) they had the longest journey so it proved worth it for them.  Thanks must go to Dan Jones who marked every match and after two and a half tiring days still managed to keep smiling through.  Thanks also to Alex and Ian for allowing the Dinner to be held in their home and to Alex, Viv and Lucy for running the tournament.
                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                         Pam Tomalin and Viv Dawes

Many thanks to Kay Halpert for the photos in this report

Tony and Fiona Harrison receive their prizes from Chris Halliwell of sponssor Addison Law