Month: March 2018

I was delighted to hold this tournament at a new venue in Harrogate for what is the first ratings event I can remember in the town since I have been playing and staging tournaments. We were all made very welcome at this venue, with 6 new courts, particularly by Carolyn Rothwell who seemed to supply unlimited free tea and coffee as well as biscuits and fruit. Thanks a lot from everyone who attended.

We got the men out of bed early for a change and they were greeted by a lovely sunny day. Home player Andrew Davis won the event in his first ever LTA tournament winning 1-4 4-3(4) 10-7 against Bradley Brown from Cheshire in a close entertaining match. In the consolation event Joshua Crossley won 4-1 4-0 against James Sigworth after losing to eventual winner Andrew in the first round.

The ladies played at the other end of the day finishing the tournament under floodlights. The event was won by Nicole Gama coming through 4-3(3) 2-4 10-5 against Simone Carrick in a high quality final. The consolation final was won by Tijana Metcalf 4-1 4-1 against Maria-Christina Balatsouka.

The 12u girls event was won by Romily Murray of Carlisle 4-3(1) 4-1 against Frankie Sinclair-Bruce of David Lloyd Leeds. The consolation final was won by Holly Huby 4-0 4-1 against Megan Leck.

In the 12u boys event Harrison Baskind won his third title of the weekend by overcoming Jake Grant from Gateshead 4-0 4-2. The consolation event went to regular Diego Van 1-4 4-0 10-4 in a fluctuating final against Sebi Brandom.

There was a big entry for the boys 14u with Leo Van of South Leeds winning the final 4-0 4-0 against Ben Wrann of Tennis World Middlesborough. The consolation event went to Max Mcgregor 4-1 4-1 against Samuel Toomey from Goole.

It was another busy day of events at Chapel Allerton with 5 tournaments in all. The weather was kind to us for a change with the snow staying away at last!!

It was a final of two David Lloyd Harrogate players in the 12 and under boys event with Harrison Baskind coming out on top 4-0 4-1 against Oscar Chan. Consolation winner was Finley Lennon with a 4-3(1) 4-1 win over Tom Hyde of Heaton.

Harrison Baskind was also the winner of the 14u boys with a 4-0 4-0 victory over top seed Hugo Barnard of David Lloyd York. The consolation final went to Lewis Stirling 4-0 4-2 against Jonah Powley.

In the 14u girls event Frankie Sinclair Bruce of David Lloyd Leeds won 4-3(3) 4-3(2) against Lily Cliff in a close final. The consolation event was won by Kate Prigmore 4-2 3-4(4) 10-6 in another close match against Eleanor Mccardle of Tennis World Middlesborough.

The 16u girls event was won by Alice Brook of Ilkley 4-3(2) 4-0 against Erin Thomas also of Ilkley. The consolation winner was Eleanor Mccardle.

Top seed Gavin Mason came through to win the men’s event with a 4-3(2) 4-1 win over Adam Dixon of David Lloyd Leeds. Its good to see Adam is getting closer to a trophy after my coaching sessions with him. Maybe next time! The consolation winner was Moazzam Kahut of Liversedge coming through 4-3(2) 4-1 against Jack Hoare of David Lloyd York. Moazzam had a busy weekend having also played in the tournament at Thorner the previous night!

14u girls finalists

16u girls finalists

Despite the chilly conditions we completed a full compass draw for 8 men with the last matches finishing at 11.30!!

The men’s final was won by Alan Newsome of Rotherham 4-3(0) 4-0 against Johnathan Yates having battled through the earlier rounds against first son Moazzam Kahut 0-4 4-1 10-3 and then father Zahid 2-4 4-1 10-6

The consolation winner was Lewis Forsley beating Moazzah 0-4 4-3 10-9 after saving two match points.

The ‘mini Beast from the East’ arrived on the day of the tournament with high winds, freezing temperatures and snow so after a lot of last minute arrangements (and not inconsiderable cost) the ladies, men’s and boys 14 and under events were moved to David Lloyd’s indoor courts in Leeds.

In the 14 and under event the final was won by Alexander Fook-Knowles from Liverpool 4-3(3) 3-4(4) (10-9) against Joseph Barndon of South Lakes on his 7th matchpoint at sudden death. A normal Fast4 match lasts about 40 minutes but this one must be close to a record at one and a half hours with 60 plus shot rallies. Well done to both players it was a great match.

The consolation event was won by Maxim Amirahmadi 4-2 2-4 (10-5) against Archie Stoner

In the women’s event it was hard to get the girls out of the club room for their first games as they were happily chatting to new and old friends. This is great as I like to encourage a friendly atmosphere at my events. Once started the tournament seemed to be enjoyed by everyone and the main event was won by Olivia Smith from Hale squeezing past home player Priyanka Misra 10-8 in the champions tiebreak. The consolation event was won by 4th seed Katie Myers 4-0 4-3(2) against Marione Horsley.

The men’s event was won by Adam Singleton from Manchester against David Lloyd’s Saviniene Biock 4-3(2) 4-0. The consolation event was won by Mahesh Jagadaeesan 4-1 4-0 against Edward Beaton.

This event was rescheduled from the one postponed due to snow on 21 January. It was a great day with big entries in three categories.

In the 12U boys the Brennan Foster came through to win the final against Joseph Sweeney 4-3(2) 4-1 after a very tight semi final win over top seed Callum Tranter.

The 14U boys had a big draw with Forbes Hollingsworth winning 4-3(3) 4-1 against top seed Savinien Biock and making his journey back to Edinburgh more enjoyable with his big trophy and great win under his belt.

In the men’s event Matthew Grey was in red hot form with his aggressive shots to overcome Patrick Baker in the final.

After a winter break my tournaments are back and started with a ratings event at David Lloyd Leeds

The games were played as a series of box leagues with the players with the most wins in each league being

12u Boys Archie Stoner and Giles Holliday

14U Boys Harrison Baskind and Isaac March

Open Mens Singles Ennis Fearon – Taylor and Ben Mitchell