Two of the club’s promising juniors have been playing in the UK, gaining valuable match play.
Sean Drewry (14) was away for 3 weeks playing in Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and N Wales.
At the Oxtalls T C, he played in a GR4 under 14 event – q/f bt Hayden Crouch 4/0 4/0; s/f bt Zach Webb 6/1, 6/3 and in the final he beat Henry Lidington 6/0, 6/2. Then on to Loughborough College for a GR3 under 14 – beat Ben Shaw in the 1st round 6/0, 6/2 but then losing 6/4 6/1 to Henry Beesley, who was No 1 seed and went on to win the title. Sean played the under 16 event, which was also a 32 draw, winning his 1st match 3/6, 6/3 (10-4), had a bye in the 2nd round but lost in the q/f 0/6, 2/6 to Arthur Eyles. Thence to Arfon TC, which many senior players will remember, and in the GR3 under 14 where he won 1/6 6/2 (10-6) beating Finnbarr Adams who had already beaten the No 2 seed. In a very close match in the semi-final, Sean lost 6/4, 3/6 (8-10) v Tom Thelwall-Jones.
However partnered by Connor Hewitt-Williams he took the 14 doubles title beating the No 1 seeds, Thelwall-Jones/Thompson 6/0,6/2 in the s/f and the No2 seeds 6/1, 3/6 (10/7)Euan Loveridge/Tomos Hughs in the Final. Well done Sean on good results and match experience.
Meanwhile Will Broadhead (14) who is a member of both Albany and Ramsey, represented the Isle of Man in the Road to Wimbledon. Normally played at Wimbledon, it was transferred to the Bank of England sports ground, which I’m told have fantastic facilities. After losing the 1st set Will tightened his game and won his 1st match 2/6, 6/4 (10/5). Unfortunately he then had to play the eventual runner-up of the whole tournament – there were 64 players – 0/6, 0/6. However he had 2 more matches which gave him extra match experience against higher rated players and gave it his best shot just losing 1/6, 6/3 (7/10) and 6/2, 3/6, 3/6. This was a fantastic experience and he loved playing on the grass.
It’s time to enter the two tournaments to be held at ALBANY in September.
The first event is President’s Day, which is a mixed American tournament with each senior member having a junior as their partner. This is on Sunday 9 September starting at 2pm and will include a barbeque for the juniors at approximately 5.30pm followed by a buffet in the club room for seniors. All members have received an invite and it’s to be hoped that most of you will turn up!
So that the catering can be well planned, quantity wise – please put your name on the lists at the club or e-mail jan.gaskill@gmail.com. Entry forms for the tournament close on 6 September; entry is free and should be sent to Bryan Sharp at the address shown or e-mailed to ballabreck@manx.net.
The Club Championships will commence on Monday 17 September with play throughout the week. Events are Men’s/Women’s Singles, Boys/Girls Singles under 16, under 12 plus Mini Tennis age groups. Also there is a new age group – under 27 Men/Women’s singles.
Under 8 (Red Ball) at 2pm, under 9 (Orange Ball) at 9am, and under 10 (Green Ball) on the outdoor courts at 2pm on Saturday 22 September. Finals Day is on Sunday (23). Forms are available in the clubhouse or you can enter on line. Again there is no entry fee but donations can be made to the Special Development Project Fund. Just one thought – the club used to have a pair of cups – presented to the club by the President of the time Margaret Sugden. Does anyone know where these cups are? I would like to find them as they are part of the club’s history.
