This event has proved tremendously successful over the years and 2008 was no exception. Now run as a Grade 5 tournament sanctioned by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Lawn Tennis Association, an application has been made to promote it as a grade 4 event next year. The organisers are grateful to the Isle of Wight County Press for being involved as sponsors from the outset over twenty years ago and to newer sponsors Andy Dyer of Sporties in Regent Street, Shanklin.
The grade and the type of draw means that not only is the tournament regarded as a starter event for Island youngsters, many of whom return year after year, but it also attracts good quality competitors from the mainland. Four boys of varying ages travelled over from Southsea most days and played well and there were other entries from further afield including the star of the tournament, Francis Sargeant from the Bromley (Kent) Tennis Academy.
Francis had entered the boy’s under 16 and 18 singles, and he was allocated a local partner for the 18 and under boy’s doubles and proceeded to win both the singles and with Gary Furmidge, take the runner up spot in the doubles dropping very few games on the way.
The local hero, however was Ryde Lawn’s Ryan Todd who managed to reach both of the above finals to challenge the mainlander, but the experience Francis has gained to reach a higher rating paid off. Todd put up a brave fright to stay in both matches, but came out 6-0, 6-1 in the 18’s and 6-0, 6-3 in the 16’s, which was a creditable result considering that everyone else had been lucky to make one game! Todd had won both qualifying events and defeated his doubles partner, Josh Pietak, 6-4, 6-1 in the 18’s semi final and Matt Olive, 6-1,6-2 in the 16’s. Meanwhile, Sargeant had accounted for Corin Gibson, 6-1, 6-0, and Gary Furmidge, 6-0, 6-2 in the same events having also been top of the qualifying rounds.
The under 18 boy’s doubles was won by Sean Furmidge and Corin Gibson who were unbeaten in the tournament, with Gary Furmidge and Sargeant in second place and Todd and Pietak in third position.
As reported last week, the qualifying rounds were played from Monday to Wednesday and provided plenty of match experience for all the youngsters in accordance with current LTA strategy. Thursday saw the quarter finals of the 14 and under event with Dominic Laithwaite (Southsea) overcoming Anthony Spence 7-6 (3), 6-1 who was having a good tournament up to that point. Laithwaite was eliminated by Harry Steed, 6-4, 6-1, in the semi finals, while Alex Baughan accounted for Oliver Morey, 6-0, 6-0, a scoreline which did not really reflect the match played and interrupted by rain.
The final was a tremendous tussle with Alex taking the first set, Harry the second and forcing a decider. At the end of a very long match, Baughan was the winner in three sets, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
The under 12 boy’s singles also saw some great matches with Piers Richards showing good form overcoming James Pascall, 6-0, 6-1 in the last eight and Milo Ash 6-1,6-2 in the semi’s. In the top half, Owen Todd was also playing well with a brilliant win over higher rated and older, Robet Lankester (Southsea) in the semi’s in a three setter, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. The good form continued, with a final win over Piers in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
It was very pleasing to see six girls playing in the tournament, with those in singles pairing up to make a doubles competition as well. The singles was won by Lucy Gooden (Ventnor) who was unbeaten and Alexa Boswell (Ryde Lawn) was the runner up. The youngest girl in the event was Joanna Simpson (St. Georges Hill, Weybridge) who acquitted herself very well, and paired with oldest, Lucinda O’Kane (Ventnor), took the runner up spot in the doubles. This event was won by Alexa and Lucy.
The final match was the under 15 boy’s doubles. Oliver Churches and Harry Steed had beaten Milo Ash and Alex Baughan in the semi final, 7-6 (5), 6-3. In the bottom half, Charlie Gedling and Anthony Spence had knocked out the older pairing of Toby Dawson and Matthew Groves in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5), and things looked set for a thriller of a final. In the end this proved to be an excellent winding up of the competition with Churches and Steed winning 6-3, 6-1.
Clare Wall from the County Press made the presentations with thanks from the Ryde Lawn Club chairman, Patrick Mill and Assistant Referee, David Fothergill.
The Player of the Tournament award was given to Ryde Lawn’s Matt Olive.
The next tournament at Playstreet Lane will be the Westridge Ford and Sporties Isle of Wight Championships to be held from 5th to 7th September. Entry forms for Open Men’s and Ladies’ Singles and Doubles, Veteran’s and Mixed Doubles are available at tennis clubs or on the website www.rltcc.co.uk
The above is a copy of the report submitted to the County Press by Richard Harris.