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Details of the Play
In the Men’s Restricted Singles Nick got away to a strong start but Richard fought for every ball, dragged himself level by winning the second set tie break and just edged a titanic battle in the final set 6-4. He was heard to describe his performance as rather a Pyrrhic victory and this proved to be the case as the afternoon wore on.
Angus successfully defended his Men’s Singles title against new finalist James in two hard fought sets. This was especially pleasing for him as he was twice within a point of defeat in his semi final.
The Ladies’ Singles was again an exhibition of consistency and long rallies matching 2004 champion Sarah with defending champion Annabel. Sarah’s more aggressive style off both wings and regular sorties to the net just gave her the edge in a very tight three setter.
In the Men’s Doubles all four players were contesting their first doubles final and the new pairing of Jon and Mike had a relatively comfortable victory over Alex and James. The runners up didn’t quite manage to hit the heights that saw them victorious over defending champions Angus and Guy in the semi final.
The Ladies’ Doubles Tier 2 final was a closer match than the score suggested with some long rallies and consistent retrieving on both sides of the net, but with Sarah and Annie just having the edge.
The final of the Ladies’ Doubles was a repeat of one of the 2005 semi finals with the result being reversed thus producing new champions. On the day Sallie and Annabel had too much consistency for defending champions Jax and Sue.
The Mixed Doubles was again split in to three tiers and in Tier 3 the husband and wife combination of Richard and Valerie faced Jon and Ruth. Ruth was fresh from her defeat in the Ladies Double Tier 2 final but Richard’s Pyrrhic exertions (see above) in the earlier singles combined with Jon’s weight of shot proved too much and Jon and Ruth took the title.
In Tier 2 first time finalists Mark & Liz were matched with defending champion Ollie and new partner Sarah. In two well contested sets Mark and Liz emerged as victors.
The Mixed Doubles final saw the Champions of 2004 Guy and Nikki returning to the final to face another new finals day combination of Mike and Sarah who had beaten defending champions Mark and Sue in the semi final. This last match on the schedule was a very exciting match for the numerous spectators still in attendance in the early evening sunshine. Guy and Nikki raced to a 6-2 2-0 lead but, not to be outdone, Mike and Sarah took the next 6 games to level the match. The final set was a see-saw affair with Guy and Nikki just having the edge to take it 6-3. There were some marvellous rallies, power, depth, angles, lobs from all four players and it was a fitting end to a splendid, if interrupted, afternoon’s tennis.
The photographs below are in no particular order, but hopefully capture the mood and events of the day.
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