The Sidmouth Tennis Club’s annual members’ tournament took place in some wonderful; sunny weather and the whole day proved to be hugely successful and enjoyable, writes Kate Truman.

First up in the competition were the men’s and ladies’ singles. Marlene Maynard was defending her singles title from last year and, once again, played an almost flawlessly consistent match to beat Hilary Caldwell 6-0, 6-1, in a match that was much closer than the final score reflected.

Meanwhile, men’s singles final was a nail-bitingly close affair with club coach, Mike King, up against the formidable pace and power of 18-year-old Jake Harrison. Harrison took the first set 6-3, but was matched, game for game, by King in the second set which finished with a tie break at 6-6.

At 6-5, Mike had the first opportunity to close the set, but served a double fault! However, much to the delight of the crowd of onlookers who wanted to see more high class tennis, he did eventually win the second set tie break to force Harrison into a third set. As regular practice partners, King and Harrison know each other’s game inside out and this was a thrillingly close contest with King eventually holding out to win the final set 9-8 after a total of three hours on court!

In the junior section, it was a clean sweep for 13-year-old Hannah Rudgard who proved what a promising young player she is by winning both the U14 girls’ title against Amelie Leach (6-1, 6-1) and the U18 girls’ title against Molly Spalding (6-1, 6-2).

Meanwhile, after his exhausting men’s final, Jake Harrison stepped onto the court again in the U18 boys competition, beating Jonnie Surtees 6-1, 6-1. Sadly, the boys’ U14 final between Ollie Truman and Louis Spalding had to be postponed until September as Spalding had broken his foot two days before!

Spalding’s foot injury also impacted on the men’s final which he and partner Ollie Truman had progressed to and where they were due to play Ollie Truman’s dad, Martin, and partner Duncan Hall. This father/son contest, which promises to be exciting and highly competitive, will also have to wait until September.

The ladies’ doubles did, however, take place. Mary Dean and Kate Truman had a close contest against Jackie Ensall and Hilary Caldwell but eventually took the title, winning 6-3, 6-0.

In the final match of the day, Jake Harrison stepped onto the court once more, this time with partner Gill Shorthouse in the mixed doubles, to take on Martin Truman and Sarah Peacock. Harrison and Shorthouse proved a formidable combination at the net and the final result was a 6-1, 6-2 win in their favour.

As usual, all matches were played in good spirit and the event was well supported with the matches followed by a convivial BBQ and a drink or two from the bar.

Many thanks go to Marlene Maynard for organising the event and sourcing raffle prizes with £130 raised for the club