They think its all over - it is now.

The rain held off mostly and now the 2013 tournament is successfully completed. Just the mens doubles reverse draw final still to be played due to injury. This was my first year of organising, and it is a big relief that its all over. I must firstly give a big thanks to the many who have help me over the last few weeks, especially Simon and Sue who have provided not only practical help, but a fair bit of counselling when needed.

It looked like everyone has enjoyed playing, watching and eating. It is good to see a few new faces playing and hopefully they enjoyed the experience. It is a mark of what a friendly, inclusive and vibrant club we have that players of all ages and abilities are happy to take part in the same event.

We have seen some hard fought matches and some excellent performances. The doubles events were dominated by the Khans and Ashmores,with Georgie and Sammy winning the Ladies, Hassan and Hussein winning the mens, and Georgie and Hussein teaming up to win the mixed. Hassan and Hussein's win in the mens doubles was their 10th in a row which is an outstanding achievement. Other multiple champions were Anna, Gary and Paul Handford. 

We also saw some excellent spectating, with Dennis giving a master class on how we need to run faster, hit harder and make no mistakes. All take note.

Finaly, I'm sure that everyone will join me in thanking Louise and everyone who has helped in the kitchen or behind the bar. 

Andy.

Final day.......rainy......but still playing/watching.  Live score from ladies' doubles final is one set all.....into the 3rd set  for last match of the 2013 tournament.

After fighting out a close mens singles final, Dan and Ben teamed up to take on the Khan brothers, but Hassan and Hussein were not to be denied and won their 10th consecutive mens doubles title. How many more to come?

John and Diane win the Reverse Mixed vets doubles against Louise and Anthony

Steve and Paul win through to the reverse mens doubles final, beating Harrish and Mukesh

Still some great matches to be played on Sunday. We have scheduled them as early as possible to try to beat the weather. Please come down and support the remaining finalists.

Andy.

Weekend Schedule

Sunday's weather forecast is not looking good for tennis, so we have scheduled as many matches as we can on Saturday. To be fair to everyone, no one is being asked to play more than 2 matches in one day wherever possible.
If Sundays forecast of heavy rain and strong winds prove to be accurate, and my command over the weather fails, we will have to see how we can get the games played at some time in the near future. Just when I thought it was done....

Thursday night matches saw a large number of players now through to finals. Dan P won against Hassan 7/6 6/2  finally finishing in pouring rain after over two hours. Hardy spectators watched under umbrellas outside, whilst others viewed play from the shelter and warmth of the clubhouse.

Other matches saw Glyn win through against Raj R to the Reverse Men's Singles final, and Gail/Eric to the Reverse Mixed after a close 3 setter. It is good to see Eric back on court and playing great tennis.

Andy is currently completing the weekend schedule.  In view of the weather forecast for Sunday, we are trying to fit in as many finals on Saturday as possible. Also, due to Sunday's forecast and lack of  first round losing ladies being available, we can't  run the Granville Plate this weekend. It may be possibe to organise it on a Wednesday evening if enough players are around. With Reverse draws now in operation, the number of eligible players has been reduced in the last few years.

Kitchen will be in full swing on Saturday, so please come down to watch even if not playing.
It'still okay to sign up for the BBQ  but please do so by 10am tomorrow or e-mail me.

Also on court last night, we saw (as a  pundit) said "a game of three halves" with Ben beating Hussein 6/1 6/7 6/1 and through to the final.  His opponent currently being decided as Dan plays Hassan with a 4/3 score at present. (Yes, we are live from the clubhouse).

Last match on last night finally ended at 9.50pm with our Social Sec and Mr Pollard beating Rob and Julie in a closely fought 3 setter. Louise is now "totally relaxed" and playing music on her i-pad, propping up the bar with Mrs Rossa rather than watching any tennis at all !!  Steve I is, as always, doing a sterling job as barman, cloth in hand at all times and surfaces sparkling !

Happy 18th birthday to Charlotte who has enjoyed her first proper drink at the bar this evening.

Wednesday Evening - A purely personal view

Things are not looking good as I pull into the car park. The rain is falling steadily and the clouds are low and heavy. We really do not have time in the schedule for rain. Is it easing a little? not really, I am just kidding myself. Its now 6 O'clock, everyone has arrived and are waiting in the club house. Is it playable? I have played in worse, but not much. I'm thinking that we should wait, but people are bravely matching out to take up the challenge with a stoic glint in their eyes. That's the spirit. We occupy court 3 for our mens veterans doubles semi final. My partner is Antony, we up against the fearsome pairing of Rob Radford and Paul HT, and I have a feeling it is going to be close. I also have a feeling that I'm getting wet as the cruel rain continues to dampen the courts, but not the spirits of the hardy combatants spread across our 6 green rectangular battlegrounds. The warm-up is underway, and its not going well. I played particularly badly last night, apologies to Jackie Rossa, and my poor form is continuing. I command the ball to go where I am aiming, but it mocks me and sails 10 feet long, I command the rain to stop, and it does. I have more control of the weather than the tennis ball. Antony starts with a solid hold of serve, and soon we are two games up despite my woeful play. My first service game is predictably lost. Antony is suffering with a bad leg, and an even badder partner, but is managing to keep us in the set, scampering around the court with determination and a limp. At the other end Rob and Paul are giving nothing away as is to be expected. Four all comes and goes, and at last my play is improving. We are five four up and have a set point on the Radford serve, but it is lost, and as seemed inevitable from the very start, we are soon into a tie break. Five-two down, we show the flair, skill and imagination of the England football team (joke) to storm back and take the first set. Most of the other matches around us have already finished. Three sets would take all night, and Antony and Rob both have another match to play.
The second set starts in the same fashion with some hard fort games, but we are spurred on with shouts of encouragement from the crowd such as "Hurry up" and "Get on with it". Buoyed by this support we start to win game after game, I am serving for the match, we win, and I'm into my first ever final.

Standing in the club house with a glass of Bombardier, I look out to see Antony and Rob locked in battle again, but with the far more glamorous partners of Louise and Julie. It looks like that will also be an epic, and it was, but that's another story.

Results and Thursdays schedule is up. I hope to have the finals weekend schedule published early on Friday evening.