A THIRD final match proved too much for a member of Lydney Tennis Club who picked up a knee injury in the semi-finals of the club’s championships.
Cindy Leli bravely struggled to play in the mixed doubles with Matt Leach just managing to edge out
their worthy opponents Dave Reid and Barbara Firman 6:4 7:5.
However the pressure took its toll on Cindy when she played the ladies singles championship which was won by club newcomer Cath Hutchinson (6:4 6:1).
Her ladies doubles match has been postponed.
The rest of the players played in the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and junior club championships; each one a two setter with a final championship tie-break set.
Committee member, Julia Goss said: “There were plenty of supporters but even more importantly plenty of refreshments to keep everyone going, particularly those playing in more than one final.”
In the boy’s singles 16-year-old Ryan Shinners didn’t allow a wasp sting stop him from playing George Davies (aged 15) in the older juniors final but it wasn’t enough as Davies won 6:4 6:1. The men’s doubles was another entertaining game marked by long rallies and skilful volleying. Harry Hale and Dave Reid won against Matt Leach and Mike Wyatt 6:3 7:5.
Having already become the older junior club champ, George Davies was back on court against 19-year-old Harry Hale, a very tough opponent well used to winning finals. It was an excellent match full of high quality tennis but Harry was the eventual winner 6:3 6:3.
Julia added: “Every August we have a club championship – it’s like our mini Wimbledon. Any club member can enter and it’s organised just like Wimbledon as a knock-out competition. It usually takes two or three weeks to play all the rounds, quarter finals and semi-finals in every category. That just leaves the finalists and we play all the finals on a Saturday in September.”
The club is hosting an open tennis evening on Monday (October 3) from 6pm. For more information email lydney