Girls U21 years Handicap Singles
Report and Photos 2021
GIRLS Under 21 years HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
20th and 21st November 2021
at Radley College Tennis Court Club
sponsored by Beard
Go to Girls U21 Handicap Results 2021
LRTA U21 Handicap Singles 2021
Report for the LRTA U21 HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
held at RADLEY on SATURDAY 20TH AND SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2021
With so many false starts at trying to hold a Junior Girls tournament, after 2 years absence we have finally made it. We had a great entry of 17 players, a wonderful 10 girls from Wellington, although sadly a couple of them withdrawing last minute due to injuries and Covid.
Players started off in groups of 4 playing each other before proceeding to the knockout stages and with two players going through from each group. The first of our 1/4 finals saw Malti Rice (Bristol) v Marina Hammond (Wellington). Marina had to give Malti 8 points but served very tightly to take a 4 – 1 lead, then eased off the pressure allowing Malti to start returning the serves and suddenly it was 4 – 4. Malti has only been playing for 3 weeks; she moves well around the court and clearly understands the tactics of the game and can hit the ball well into the corners of the court. Marina, sensed the danger and started attacking again and produced some more accurate serves to win the set 6 – 4. Next up were Clemmie Batstone (Wellington/Radley) v Charlotte Davies (Wellington) with Clemmie giving Charlotte 5 points. This match went game for game until 3 – 3 when Clemmie served well and played very consistently. Clemmie kept calm as Charlotte fought hard and rallied to pull back and it was 5 -5, 40 all! An awesome rally took place with Clemmie just sneaking through to take the set 6 - 5.
In our next match Emilia Pitts played Saffron Enticknap both from Wellington playing off level. This was a very exciting match to watch with Saffron so quick about the court and Emilia attacking every shot, often half volleying the ball, plus both girls volleying well. Saffron with just a little more playing experience picked up some very tight serves off the back wall and played a little more consistently to take the set 6 – 3.
The first of our semi finals saw Lila Hue Williams v Clemmie with Lila giving Clemmie 8 points handicap. This was a very close match until 2 – 2 but then Lila playing so consistently and producing a variety of serves that were so tight, Clemmie couldn’t get into the game and Lila won 6 – 2.
Our second semi-final of Marina v Saffron was a lovely close match. Both players attacked the ball, were agile and retrieved well. It was either players’ game until 3 – 3 then Marina eased ahead, serving with variety and hitting some cracking shots around the tambour to take the set 6 – 3.
The final, Lila (82) v Marina (82) became a great tussle. Playing an 8-game set, this match went game for game until 4 – 4 with both players playing with great purpose trying to attack the corners with aggressive shots and retrieving the ball well. Both players also volley well. Eventually Lila started hitting a few returns of serves onto the penthouse to allow Marina to capitalise and lead 7 – 5. Whilst Marina had 3 match points, Lila wasn’t giving up and hit 3 super serves and it was 7 – 6. More tight play by both players and it was match point number 4 for Marina. After a 12-shot rally with some awesome retrieving by both girls, Marina clinched the final point and title. Well done Marina!
Every girl who played in the tournament showed considerable talent, it would be great to think that they were able to get on court at least once a week, better still twice a week.
Our thanks to Radley for allowing us to host the tournament at their court and of course special thanks to Nino, Josh and Victor for all their marking.
Jill Newby
Players started off in groups of 4 playing each other before proceeding to the knockout stages and with two players going through from each group. The first of our 1/4 finals saw Malti Rice (Bristol) v Marina Hammond (Wellington). Marina had to give Malti 8 points but served very tightly to take a 4 – 1 lead, then eased off the pressure allowing Malti to start returning the serves and suddenly it was 4 – 4. Malti has only been playing for 3 weeks; she moves well around the court and clearly understands the tactics of the game and can hit the ball well into the corners of the court. Marina, sensed the danger and started attacking again and produced some more accurate serves to win the set 6 – 4. Next up were Clemmie Batstone (Wellington/Radley) v Charlotte Davies (Wellington) with Clemmie giving Charlotte 5 points. This match went game for game until 3 – 3 when Clemmie served well and played very consistently. Clemmie kept calm as Charlotte fought hard and rallied to pull back and it was 5 -5, 40 all! An awesome rally took place with Clemmie just sneaking through to take the set 6 - 5.
In our next match Emilia Pitts played Saffron Enticknap both from Wellington playing off level. This was a very exciting match to watch with Saffron so quick about the court and Emilia attacking every shot, often half volleying the ball, plus both girls volleying well. Saffron with just a little more playing experience picked up some very tight serves off the back wall and played a little more consistently to take the set 6 – 3.
The first of our semi finals saw Lila Hue Williams v Clemmie with Lila giving Clemmie 8 points handicap. This was a very close match until 2 – 2 but then Lila playing so consistently and producing a variety of serves that were so tight, Clemmie couldn’t get into the game and Lila won 6 – 2.
Our second semi-final of Marina v Saffron was a lovely close match. Both players attacked the ball, were agile and retrieved well. It was either players’ game until 3 – 3 then Marina eased ahead, serving with variety and hitting some cracking shots around the tambour to take the set 6 – 3.
The final, Lila (82) v Marina (82) became a great tussle. Playing an 8-game set, this match went game for game until 4 – 4 with both players playing with great purpose trying to attack the corners with aggressive shots and retrieving the ball well. Both players also volley well. Eventually Lila started hitting a few returns of serves onto the penthouse to allow Marina to capitalise and lead 7 – 5. Whilst Marina had 3 match points, Lila wasn’t giving up and hit 3 super serves and it was 7 – 6. More tight play by both players and it was match point number 4 for Marina. After a 12-shot rally with some awesome retrieving by both girls, Marina clinched the final point and title. Well done Marina!
Every girl who played in the tournament showed considerable talent, it would be great to think that they were able to get on court at least once a week, better still twice a week.
Our thanks to Radley for allowing us to host the tournament at their court and of course special thanks to Nino, Josh and Victor for all their marking.
Jill Newby