TENNIS: Old Guard Hold Sway at The Green
The Green club of St Leonards held their annual closed tournament on Saturday 19 July after earlier rounds were played on fine evenings through the previous week. There was a barbecue with drinks from the bar, and all titles went to multiple winners of past years.
Coach Joe Adams won his tenth men’s singles title, beating Chris Grief 7-5, 6-2. Amanda Ruck won the women’s singles for the twelfth time, beating Emma Candy 6-0, 6-1.
Ruck teamed up with Beaula Page to win the women’s doubles over Hannah Gandy and Sheila King – their fifth title. She also combined with Grief to win the mixed doubles for the ninth time, beating Gandy and George Moon 6-1, 6-4.
The only near upset came in the men’s doubles where Grief and Tune, previous title winners on six occasions, had to come from behind against the young pair of Moon and Huxley Robinson Butler to win 4-6, 6-2, 10-7.
Rod Pavek beat Richard Bailey 7-5, 7-6 in the over-45s singles.
During the finals afternoon there was a presentation to Adams on his national award as LTA Coach of the Year.
New Blood at Amherst
By contrast, the Amherst club has been infused with younger players this year, particularly on the male side. Josh Craig, Stefan Le Breuilly, Bright Temba and teenagers Zach Read and Ollie Bearcroft have all produced notable performances in National League or Sussex Summer Doubles contests as the top men’s teams have held their own in both competitions.
The women’s first team, with Jada Ani unavailable, has been more reliant on established talent: Debi Ani, Nikki Crowhurst, Karen Cunnington, Pearl Hare, Anita Pearce and Barbara Fentiman have rotated appearances, winning enough to protect their standing in Division 3 of the Summer Doubles.
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