The Albany/Equiom Junior Open tennis tournament commenced on Saturday with some very good matches plus the Red Ball U8 matches showing that these very young players are learning the skills of the game quickly.
 
The Club hosted a buffet lunch for the sponsors Mrs Sheila Dean, MD of Equiom(Isle of Man) Limited who was accompanied by husband Jonny and son Oliver. Also joining the committee for lunch was HE Lt. Governor Adam Wood, himself a keen player and a member of Albany plus the five Albany members who are part of the Isle of Man Tennis team for the Island Games in Bermuda. As a small token of the club’s admiration and support for the players, chairman Stuart Colligon, on behalf of the club, presented ?50 cheques and a Manx 3 legs badge to Billy Harris, Marc Chinn, Laura Feely, Oliver Broadhead (who also plays at Ramsey) and Elena Snidal – a joint Castletown/Albany member.  Play continued throughout the week with Finals on Saturday. Prizes will be presented by Mr J Dean on behalf of his wife who will be off Island.
 
Results so far: Red Ball R/robins -Gr.A 1st Jayden Go, 2nd Maddie Butterworth; Gr. B 1st Harry McAleer 2nd Aaron Hempsall; Gr. C  1st James Weight 2nd Joseph Jones, K/o Aaron bt Joseph 10/9, James bt Maddie 10/9; s/f Jayden bt Aaron 10/2, Harry bt James 10/5; final Jayden bt Harry 10/7 10/2. Boys 12U s/f Max Walker bt Isaac Gregory-Hamlett 6/1 6/0, Jay Skelcher-Maxwell bt Alex Conti 6/0 6/1. 14U Boys singles q/f Alex bt Isaac 6/4 7/6;s/f Max Walker bt Alex 6/0 6/1. 18U Mixed singles q/f Sean Drewry bt Calvin Smith 6/0 6/0,Oliver Haynes bt Katie Harris 5/7 6/4 (10-5), Sarah Breed bt max Walker 6/0 6/0, Adam Pyatt-Coppell bt Alex Conti 6/4, 6/1.
 
There was a last minute panic for Island Ladies Champion, Laura Feely when she was bitten by a horsefly and the bite turned septic. This happened on Saturday afternoon whilst the Island Games players were having a practice. Laura had to go to Nobles and it seemed doubtful she would be allowed to fly until the infection had cleared. However the medication prescribed worked, she was given the OK to fly with barely an hour before the teams flight from the Island took off! Quite a few of us had the “prayer mats” out! We have a strong team going to this Games in Bermuda but the loss of Laura would have certainly weakened the medal chances. There is a Games website that you can keep track of the events – www.natwestislandgames2013results.com.
 
Don’t forget to register for the Summer Camps which Ian Watson has announced. They will run for 6 weeks, commencing 22 July and covering all ages from Red ball 5-6yrs to yellow ball (all age groups). Leaflets have been sent to all Albany Juniors but this is open to non-members and leaflets are in the clubhouse. Contact Ian Tel 496293 or ianwatsonpts@manx.net. Details are on the club website.

Photo - The Island Games players who rec. chqs. from club.  L to R - Laura Feely, Billy Harris, HE Lt. Governor Adam Wood, Ollie Broadhead, Marc Chinn and Elena Snidal.