TOURNAMENT WEEK REPORT

Played over half-term, Crickhowell Tennis Club’s inaugural Tournament Week was a resounding success, with 84 entries in mini-red (U8), mini-orange (U9), mini-green (U11), junior and adult categories and a total of 125 matches played across six days of play with not a single minute lost to rain!

With financial support from the club’s sponsor, Taste Inn Wales, Crickhowell Town Council and Tennis Wales, this event was the first of what will be become a twice-yearly tournament at the club, which continues to go from strength to strength.

The minis tournament held early in the week saw 20 players compete in three age categories, with Lloyd Francis, Charlie Walker and Gus Nathan the medal-winners in the mini-red group, Phoebe Cuthbertson-Smith and Harriet Bland coming out on top in the mini-orange event and Heather Francis defeating Ben Cuthbertson-Smith in the mini-green final.

With numerous entries in the junior and adult events, the midweek qualifying rounds saw some fine tennis, with the top players and pairs in each category making it through to Finals Day on the Saturday, which saw 10 hotly-contested finals and a high-quality exhibition match between head coach Chris Hill and former semi-professional player and club member John Bult.

The boys’ 12 & under event was won by Connor Pearce in a close third-set tie-break against Aled Williams, the 14 & under event by Kier Hughes, who narrowly defeated Gregory Davies-Jones in straight sets, while the 16 & under title went to Ieuan Roberts, who saw off the challenge from Ashley Foord in two sets.

In the girls’ 14 & under final, Maya Mills beat Emma Probert in straight sets, while the boys’ doubles final saw Tom Miller & Gregory Davies-Jones triumph over the more experienced pairing of Ieuan Roberts and Henry Rodwell in a gripping three-set encounter.

In the adult sections, the ladies’ singles title went to Helen Jones, with a straight-sets victory over Carol Percival, who was called up as a late-replacement and gave the eventual champion a real run for her money. The men’s title went to Jason Hall, who saw off a spirited challenge from Steve Sharp, also in two sets.

The ladies’ doubles final saw a tight encounter between Helen Isaacs and Averil Eastup and Joy Jones and Helen Jones, the latter pair just having the edge in a 7-5 7-6 victory, while Steve Sharp and Jeremy Kerrison overcame Jason Hall and Chris Millard in the men’s doubles. The final event of the day, the mixed doubles, saw Helen Jones win a clean-sweep of trophies, partnering Chris Millard to victory over Helen Isaacs and Jeremy Kerrison.

A big thanks to players, parents and committee members for your contribution to this hugely successful event!

Jeremy Kerrison

Chairman