Some incredible tennis was witnessed at the LCTA Maclean Bowlo Annual Tennis Championships earlier this month.
Professional tennis coach Alan Jurd said it was the most successful club championships in the Association’s history in terms of numbers and standard of play.
A record number of entries was received with 24 players in the A Grade mens, B Grade mens and 18 boys singles alone. Some of the old timers said they had never seen such depth and quality of play ever before.
Play had to commence on the Friday afternoon due to numbers and the 18’s boys and girls singles didn’t disappoint with a titanic struggle ensuing between defending champion Pips Ramsey and Sammy Hayman. Both girls displayed top shelf tennis with Pips going back to back 4-6, 6-4, 10-5.
“In the boy’s event, Ryan Hubbard proved too strong for Nathan Hayman in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. This was Ryan’s last year in the event and with Nathan being only 11, his time will come”. Said Alan.
Saturday morning saw some glorious tennis in the mens open event with Ash Seeto finally going back to back in a tight straight sets victory over Sean Robertson. The local Eyeman was eyeing off a triple after taking out the mens doubles with Luke Hitchings but came up just short in the mixed doubles final, teaming up with Pips Ramsey, going down to Sean Robinson and Sammy Hayman in a great contest.
In the open ladies singles, Sammy Hayman gained revenge over Ramsey in the semi final only to face her own mother Philippa in an all family affair with the 13yr old daughter slicing and dicing her mother 6-1, 6-2 to become the youngest ever open ladies champion in a powerful display of precision tennis.
Coach Jurd said “the sportsmanship on display all weekend was outstanding and the cold beers enjoyed with much laughter at the end of the event was great to be a part of”.
“The massage rooms supplied by Optimum Health were well used and we would sincerely like to thank Riccardo and Jake for their healing hands over the weekend”
Results
Open Men’s singles – Ash Seeto; Open Women’s singles – Sammy Hayman; Open Men’s doubles – Ash Seeto/Luke Hitchings; Open Women’s doubles – Sam Reeve/Sam Bruggy; Open Mixed doubles – Sean Robertson/Sammy Hayman; Reserve Men’s singles – Mark Avery; Reserve Men’s doubles – B. Pye/John Porter; Reserve Women’s doubles – M. Clarke/K. Huxhum; Reserve Mixed doubles – Ross McCann/Shelley Hitchings; Over 50’s Men’s doubles – Brad Pye/Mark Avery; Over 50’s Mixed doubles – John Porter/Sue McAulay; Over 60’s Men’s singles – Mark Avery; Junior Boys – Ryan Hubbard; Junior Girls – Piper Ramsey; Junior Boys doubles – Nathan Hayman/Matt Taylor.