Young players show high level of sportsmanship

THREE things made this year's Guernsey Schools Tennis Club Mini Wimbledon a huge success. 'What made this year's event so special was the sportsmanship of the players, the number of matches that went to third-set tie-breaks and the number of players new to the game,' said organiser Geoff Martel.

Some of the island's best young players were attracted to the Stella Artois/St Margaret's Lodge-sponsored event played over the two weeks of Wimbledon.

The 80 youngsters played 243 matches.

'With round robin and plate competitions, everyone had the opportunity of playing someone of their own ability,' said Martel.

The 11-years-and-under boys' final matched Jack Totty and Jack Oldfield, the latter playing up an age group.

The first set was a mixture of attacking play and guile as both players tried to take the initiative. Locked at 4-4, it went to a tie-break in which Totty kept his head and won.

He took this advantage into the second set, winning 4-0, although the score did not do justice to Oldfield.

The rising star in the girls was Jessica Rigby.

Having won the 11-years-and-under title, she played up an age group and was fortunate to come through a tight third set tiebreak 10-8 against Imogen Oldfield.

Rebecca Hobson worked very hard in the final against Rigby, but she could not match her opponent's more attacking style.

Issey Norman-Ross was unfortunate in her draw but made up for it by winning the plate. A good hitter and athletic around the court, she showed much promise

The boys' 13-and-under contest went to form with the top seeds meeting in the final.

Harry Martel had a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 win over Andrew Coleman and Lawrence West squeezed past Gregg Laine for third spot by taking the final set 10-8.

Laine has improved throughout the year and with more power in his shots will be in contention for honours in the future.

The boys' open served up some excellent matches.

In the round-robin stages, Oliver Shier, Todd Priaulx and Josh McClean all tied on wins with Shier and Priaulx going through on a tiebreak shoot out.

In the quarter-finals, Shier came up against second seed Alistair Higgins and the match went to a third set tie-break.

Shier took an early lead, only to be pulled back to 5-5 before a couple of unforced errors by Higgins let Shier in for the set.

His semi-final against Priaulx was just as exciting. Shier took the first set, Priaulx the second and again Shier held his nerve to take the third 10-8.

Jonny Taylor took the final 6-2, 6-3, but the younger Shier made him work hard for the title.

John McClean had his best tournament yet and won the plate 6-4, 4-6, 10-6 against Michael Trotter.

Relying on a big serve and heavy top spin forehand, he was pushed all the way by a defiant Trotter, who returned well and used cross-court shots to good effect.

Joanna Dyer won the girls' open from Poppy Byrom, who put in a spirited performance and was very consistent, but was no match for her hard-hitting rival.

Most fun was had in the doubles in which players were aged from seven to 17.

The serious play started in the quarter-finals.

The Trotter brothers, Richard and Michael, were narrow winners over Josh McClean and James Woolrich 6-4 while the all-girl combination of Megan Hearse and Joanna Dyer just had the edge over Mitchell Le Tissier and Oliver Shier in an entertaining match.

Dan Thomas and Adam Potter won 6-3 against their younger opponents, Andrew Milton and Robert Lowe, while Martel and David Butler took the last semi place with a 6-2 win over another all-girl combination of Oldfield and Rigby.

The eventual winners were the Potter-Thomas pairing who beat Dyer and Hearse 6-3, 6-2..

The excellent serving and volleying of Potter, together with the reliable Thomas, made for an enjoyable final.

The presentation was made at a meal at the hotel where additional prizes donated by the sponsors were given to:

Best-dressed girl: Hayley Winter; Best-dressed boy: Jack Oldfield; Most-improved player: David Butler; Helpers and scorers: Jo Dyer and Megan Hearse; Best sportsmanship: Todd Priaulx; Parents' prize: David Hobson.

* Anyone wishing to know more about getting into tennis can contact Martel on 253009 or the Channel islands Lawn Tennis Association development officer on 01534 499590.