The Albany Junior Open tournament held during half-term was completed on Saturday using the indoor court. The weather hadn’t been kind to Referee Ian Watson but this justifies the building of the indoor court in1994 – though the cost ?138,000 seemed astronomical at the time. Obviously loans from IOM Sports Council, Lottery Trust, LTA and the bank made it possible but there was still an awful lot of fundraising to make up the difference and then 10 years of paying off the loans. Then we did a similar venture with the clubhouse, with the same fantastic support, in time for the Nat West Island Games in 2001. Now we are faced with re-surfacing the courts next year – hence more fund raising ie The Night at the Races on Friday 29 November.
Tickets for the supper are now available from Pat Sharp – contact her or any committee member. ?8 for fish & chips or ?6 for sausage and chips. Supper will be at 7.15pm prompt. The committee want to see members supporting this event, especially those that play a lot – there are only 50 seats available so book early.
Remaining results from the Junior Open sponsored by Auxesia Ltd:
Green ball U10 Mixed Final - Jayden Go bt Jack Christian (Ramsey TC) 5/4 4/1; U12 Mixed Singles : r/robin – winner Luca Simmons, r/up Oliver Wait . U18 Mixed Singles r/robin – Group A winner Sarah Breed – r/up Sasha Thomas; Group B – winner Adam Pyatt-Coppell r/up Katie Harris. Knock-out stage semi-final in a very close match Katie Harris (14) bt Sarah Breed (18) 7/5 5/7 (10-5). This was a very good win for Katie. Adam Pyatt-Coppell bt Sasha Thomas 6/2, 6/3. Final Adam bt Katie 6/0 6/1
The prizes were presented by Stuart Colligon, MD for Auxesia Ltd. Thanks to Ian and those who helped with umpiring the younger age groups.
Sean Drewry was away during half-term playing in two tournaments.
In a Grade 3 tournament - Oxstalls, (Glos) he lost his 1st round match but went on to win the consolation Final 6/1 6/1. He also played at South Ribble, a Grade 4 tournament with a 6/3 6/1 win in the semi-final and then beat the No 2 seed 6/1 7/5. Sean plays a lot of events in the UK and the experience gained shows when he plays events in the Island. This is something more of the juniors will have to do to improve their match play.
