Finals Day

Results

 

Summer 2021






Name

Winner

Runner up

Score

16U Boys SinglesBen LamertTom Aird6-1 6-0
Men's SinglesAlbert Akende Sam Stringer2-6 7-5 7-5
Women's SinglesAshling CarrolPortia Morey6-4 3-6 6-1
Handicap SinglesWill BroadleyAlan White6-1 6-1
Men's DoublesKai Williams & Albert Akende Graham Austin & Kai Martin6-1 6-3
Women's DoublesAnna Baines & Portia Morey Ashling Carrol & Dee Reffell6-2 7-6
Mixed DoublesAashling Carrol & Kai WilliamsSteve Mcgregor & Portia Morey
Men's 45 SinglesTom Coleman Ivan Reffell6-4 7-5
Men's Singles PlateBill Atkinson Will Broadley6-3 6-4
Women's Singles PlateJosephine HowarthKaz Burt6-3 6-4
Men's 45 Singles PlatePaul PetchyDom Surry6-4 4-6 6-2
Ladies Lucky Dip DoublesAshling Carrol & Di NeilSharon Brown Tracy King6-1 6-0
Junior Platepostponed





Wickham Park Tennis Club Finals Day is the culmination of the summer season for our players, and there were competitions to suit any ages and abilities. I am normally there as a competitor, but this year, due to injury, I was a jolly spectator for a change, and what a show some of our players put on! There were two matches on our clay courts at a time and I watched part of the junior match (U16 boys singles) which was incredible. I have known the finalists since they were tots, but have not encountered their tennis before, so it was quite amazing to see them play such clever and entertaining rallies.

The Men’s Final was a true marathon – Albert Akende and Sam Stringer gave it all, and in the end, after some incredibly long rallies and cleverly constructed points on both sides, it was Albert’s experience and tactical pressure which prevailed  over the strength and stamina of our young Sam.

I was also very impressed by the Ladies Plate match played by Josephine Howarth and Kaz Burt who displayed some amazing shots, and great sportsmanship and positivity. In their support camp were Di Neil and Christine Bartlett, long-standing members of the club who had played for the club in North Kent LTA teams.

The Ladies singles and doubles matches, as well as the Mixed doubles were also sensational – featuring our champion, Ashling Carroll, who played in four finals and won three of them!

For me the match of the day was the Mixed Doubles, where Ashling and Kai Williams, an 18 year-old player who came through the ranks of the Wickham Park coaching programme and is now a coach at ParkLangley Tennis club, took on Portia Morey and Sam Stringer. The three-setter spectacle was the last match of the day, and all the players had already played at least one match before this one. Despite their tiredness, they showed such determination and focus, that it was difficult to understand where their energy came from! Well done to all the players, it was a very enjoyable day.

Katya Sheath