Finals Day 8th September 2018
The 2018 Corfe Mullen Lawn Tennis Club Finals took place on Saturday, 8th September and all six matches were completed, thanks to an early start and some reasonable weather.
Well done to all the finalists and on behalf of the committee, I would like to thank (once again) those kind members who volunteered as umpires or line judges, and to those who braved the conditions to spectate and support their heroes and the club; without you, the championships would be much diminished.
Afternoon Tea was provided by your committee – supplemented by some marvellous cakes from Paul Fowell’s wife, which all helped keep up the everyone’s strength so that we could keep cheering to the end.
With a table-full of trophies to win, the afternoon was set for the expected close competition and friendly rivalry.
- Thanks Lee!
- Many thanks to Lee Franklin for his season-long organising and planning that brought us to finals day and to another memorable occasion for the club!
Paul Smith, Chairman
The Results in detail
Ladies Singles
Penny Ruddick beat Jess Fowell
6-2, 6-4
Match Report
Umpire: Paul Smith
“Both ladies started tentatively in this repeat of last year’s final. As the set progressed it was the net play and retrieving of Penny that gave her the edge to take the first set. In the second set Jess began to find her range to the baseline, but Penny still managed to get the returns into play. There were several 20+ shot rallies but in the end Penny prevailed to retain her title – well done both players.”
 Winner: Penny Ruddick |
 Runner-Up: Jess Fowell |
Mens Singles
James Whitehorn beat Gary Alford
6-1, 6-0
Match Report
Umpire: David Reeves
“James won the match 6-1, 6-0. The score would indicate an easy victory for James, however Gary fought hard and lost narrowly in several games. Gary’s backhand shots were strong but James is consistent in his returns and selecting winners. An enjoyable game to Umpire – well done both players.”
 Winner: James Whitehorn |
 Runner-Up: Gary Alford |
Ladies Doubles
Nicky Long & Alison Houlston beat Sarah Tate & Val Jenkins
7-6 (tie break 7-2), 5-7, 1-0 (championship tie-break 10-3)
Match Report
Umpire: Dev Kerai
“A fiercely contested match which could have gone either way. Nicky and Alison scrapped through the first set which was decided by a tie break with a 7-6 win to Nicky and Alison. The second set was an eye opener for Sarah and Val, who after trailing behind managed to go up a gear to win the set 7-5. A championship tie break decided the outcome with a convincing victory by Nicky and Alison who won 10-3. An absolute pleasure to watch and an honour to empire the match.”
 Winners: Nicky Long & Alison Houlston |
 Runners-Up: Val Jenkins & Sarah Tate |
Mens Doubles
Paul Smith & Paul Fowell beat Jeremy Fisher & Gary Alford
3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (championship tie-break 10-8)
Match Report
Umpire: Luke Fowell
“In the first set, the Pauls could not cope with the combination of Gary’s net coverage and Jeremy’s variety of returns at all heights, all finding the court; 6-3 to Gary & Jeremy.
The second set started in the same way with the two Pauls down 2-love. However things were about to change and the Pauls broke back in the 4th game after 3 deuces, before breaking again in the 10th game to take the second set 6-4. They started well in the tie-break, threw in a double-fault and some misses to bring the score to 9-8, before a final passing shot clinched victory”
 Winners: Paul Smith & Paul Fowell |
 Runners-Up: Gary Alford & Jeremy Fisher |
Mixed Plate
Jess Fowell & Luke Fowell beat Nicky Long & Lee Franklin
7-5, 6-3
Match Report
Umpire: Peter Searle
“Not sure what to expect from a Mixed Plate Final, but this was a super game with Jess & Luke beating Nicky and Lee 7-5, 6-3. The ladies were particularly good at hitting cross-court forehands and showed great energy after their previous exertions in earlier finals. Nick and Lee had set points at 5-4 only to be overhauled to lose the first set 7-5. The second set was more predicable with Jess and Luke always holding the advantage to win 6-3”
 Winners: Luke & Jess Fowell |
 Runners-Up: Nicky Long & Lee Franklin |
Mixed Doubles
Lynda Davies & Dev Kerai beat Val Jenkins & Colin Greenbaum
6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (championship tie-break 11-9)
Match Report
Umpire: Paul Smith
“After the epic Ladies Doubles final and lovely food at tea-time, we were ready to finish off the afternoon with a brisk Mixed Doubles final. Instead we got laughter and tears, injury time-outs, rubbing of cramp-struck limbs, plus consumption of peanuts or egg sandwiches (Lynda) … and some excellent play.
In the first set Dev & Lynda started under pressure from Val and Colin, who were not fooled by spin or solid volleying and they took the set 6-2. However in the second set, Lynda and Dev dealt well with the interruptions and captured the set 6-3.
The championship tie-break proved too much for Val as she struggled with the pain, Lynda and Dev winning 11-9. It was certainly an eventful final – well done to both pairs.”
 Winners: Dev Kerai & Lynda Davies |
 Runners-Up: Val Jenkins & Colin Greenbaum |
Jenny Phillips Award Trophy
This award is for the lady player who has shown the widest commitment to the club competitions around the year, combined with success in those tournaments. This years top three are:-
- Jenny Francis 126 points
- Nicky Long 117 points
- Vanessa Margetts 104 points
Winner: Jenny Francis
Gentlemen’s Challenge Trophy
This award is for the gentleman player who has shown the widest commitment to the club competitions around the year, combined with success in those tournaments. This years top three are:-
- Paul Smith 126 points
- Will Margetts 121 points
- Allan Hansford 113 points
Winner: Paul Smith
This years final Tournament tally, in detail:-
Final Tournament Standings 2018