THE 12th Open Veterans' Tennis Tournament was played over the Easter Holidays at Henley Road indoor centre, Ipswich.A total of 75 competitors from 13 different counties played a total of 93 matches.
THE 12th Open Veterans' Tennis Tournament was played over the Easter Holidays at Henley Road indoor centre, Ipswich.
A total of 75 competitors from 13 different counties played a total of 93 matches. Play was again of a very high standard, with a number of nationally-rated players taking part.
A newcomer into the veterans' rank, Charles Fulcher from Felixstowe, joined up with club-mate Graham Whight to win the 45+ men's doubles, and he also won the mixed 40/45+ with Christine Nugent.
A pair of regular visitors from Worcestershire, John Clarke and Ruth Lynton, won the 50/55 mixed in colourful style. Other notable winners were Louise Woods, Ken Bate, Barry Todd and another newcomer, Essex's Alan Rayner.
Once again the tournament was referred by Gordon Blake with some assistance from Alan Flewitt. Next year's dates for the tournament are March 20-24 (inclusive).
Results round-up
Singles
Men's
35+ yrs: Adam Swan bt Steve Smith 6-3, 6-3.
45+ yrs: Ivan Vorlicek bt Alan Rayner 6-0 rtd.
55+ yrs: Alan Rayner bt Dave Garman 6-5, 5-6 rtd.
60+ yrs: Brian Brown bt Keith Palmer 6-5, 2-6, 3-3 rtd.
65+ yrs: Barry Todd bt Brian Brown 6-3, 5-6, 6-1.
70+ yrs: Ken Bate bt Don Wood W/O.
Ladies'
40+ yrs: Libby Eden bt Charlotte Coysh 6-0, 6-0.
50+ yrs: Round Robin - Winner: Janet Crome, Runner-up: Angela Petch.
60+ yrs: Pam Rogers bt Jan Rochester 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles
Men's
45+ yrs: Charles Fulcher and Graham Whight bt Alister McMonagle and Richard Porter 6-4, 6-5.
55+ yrs: David Henderson and Phillip Tye bt Keith Palmer and Alan Rayner 6-2, 6-3.
60+ yrs: Geoffrey Johnson and Roger Tuckett bt Phil Morter and Keith Palmer 4-6, 6-3 rtd.
65+ yrs: Ken Bate and Barry Todd bt Geoffrey Johnson and Roger Tuckett 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Ladies'
40+ yrs: Jo Bond and Louise Woods bt Dianne Marilyn-Jones and Jenny Courtney 6-3, 5-6, 6-2.
50+ yrs: Round Robin - Winners: Alison Hall-Wright and Christine Nugent, Runners-up: Janet Crome and Dorothy Donaldson.
Mixed Doubles
40/45 yrs: Charles Fulcher and Christine Nugent bt Dave Garman and Louise Woods 6-1, 6-0.
50/55 yrs: John Clarke and Ruth Lynton bt Colin Stephenson and Christine Nugent 6-3, 6-4.
60/65 yrs: Liam Donnellan and Jan Rochester bt Ernie Lock and Rita Ronnn 6-3, 6-2.
Aged Handicap Mixed: Dave Reid and Sue Butcher bt Nick Crown and Squash Jackson 7-5, 7-5.
Ladies' Singles Plate 40+ yrs: Louise Woods bt Louise Killick 6-3, 6-5.
Men's Singles Plate 70+ yrs: Paul Matthews bt Keith Flewitt 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
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