Site by:
Clare Richardson

LTA Ratings Tournament 2009 Report

Yet another tournament done and dusted, the 12th, and the first with the facilities of our new clubhouse. Unfortunately it was also the first without sponsorship from Lloyds bank who found other ways of squandering their money this year and also the first without a brochure. I trust that both defects will be rectified next year.

We had a very good turnout – just about 100 players - only 6 of whom were women! Girls where are you!

Weather problems were minimal this year. Thursday evening was a complete washout. All matches had to be played in the dome but with a number of cancelled matches for various reasons I was able to hand the courts back to members of the club by 8 o’clock, by which time certain groups (mentioning no names of course) were already into post match drinks.

The final weekend produced beautiful weather and some good tennis to match. Two of the division 5 semi-finalists had also got through to the tableau semis and both Guillermo and Ashley decided to make a bid for the tableau final. On Sunday morning the ten officials from the LTA had their coffee and biscuits while admiring the new clubhouse as Will finished off preparing the courts for the day. The two tableau semi finals started at 11 and Gunther duly dispatched young Ashley Davies, but a good tournament for Ashley having beaten a 3.2 (David Moore) the day before. Guillermo Cosson beat Amit Ramphal, who had won last year’s division 5 and is newly into the tableau section.

The 12:30 matches started with the ladies final which was somewhat one-sided. Patsy Mindham gamely did her best against Louise Laciny who was rated several divisions above her, and I’m sure that Louise will be moving onwards and upwards in her tennis career. The 10 & 9 division final produced a good win for Roger Guest over Barnaby Trusler. The home interest was in the 8 & 7 group with Charlie Salter not disappointing us by beating Enrico Boverino – maybe Enrico should bring a bigger group of supporters next year. In the 6th division Chris Smith had a hard time against a very strong Irish contender, Brian Condren who will surely be upgraded soon. Up another division and an exhausted Nicolas Contentin who had played a match in the morning had nothing left against Chris Anguelov. So on to the tableau where the man from Venezuela took on the man from Ghana but despite making things difficult with his serve and volley technique just couldn’t quite make it, and so Gunther was the winner as in 2007.

The prize money was not as bountiful as usual. However all the chaps got their customary Nandos vouchers, Barnaby got a racquet stringing from Charlie and The Gilded Lily sponsored the men’s tableau winner. The ladies got hats courtesy of Jill Craybas who is in the top hundred in the world. The trophies were sponsored by Crispins Wine Bar. Many thanks to all assistant referees, Rosemary for dealing with the food for the officials and Michael for being duty photographer. The courts were, as we now expect, beautifully manicured by Will.

Korin Harvey

See LTA Ratings 2009 results here and photos here

<< back to previous page