Heversham with Milnthorpe Tennis Club

Congratulations to Avril Standing and David Smith for earning a famous victory after two nail-biting rounds in the National Finals of the Save The Children Charity Tournament at Roehampton last weekend.

After winning the Club STC tournament earlier in the season, they were one of six pairs from around the country to compete in one-set matches for the mixed doubles trophy. Having qualified in their preliminary round matches, they looked in serious trouble at 2-5 down in the semi-final before saving five match points to win the set 7-5.

They then repeated the feat in the final, coming from 1-4 down to win the match 6-4 against last year’s defending champion Bruce Wheatley, ranked 132 in the country (rating of 3.2) and the number one player in Devon, and his partner.

Afterwards Avril and David received their trophy and other gifts from 1987 Mens’ Singles Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash, who stayed on specially to congratulate the players.

Together with supporters Jodie Standing, Marten Julian and Moira Williams, Avril and David also met and watched Andy Murray and other top players training. 

In addition to his success at Roehampton, David Smith also won the Mens County title – his trophy cabinet must be bursting at the seams!

Reminder: the Clubs allocation of Wimbledon tickets for the 2009 Championships will be based on the number of Club Members who have signed up to British Tennis by 30th November 2008.  This is free to join until at least February 2012.  Without membership you will not be eligible for the draw for tickets and will not be able to purchase them from other Members.

• Recycling cans and bottles – there is now a separate bin in the Clubhouse for ball cans, rinsed out drink cans, clean water bottles.

• We now have a new hot water urn for use at Mixed matches, tournaments and other events when lots of hot drinks are required.

• Thanks to Peter Dixon for staining and completing the Clubhouse door – that completes the refurbishment for this year.  Well done to all the helpers.

This year all 6 finals were completed on Finals Day, with the weather just about behaving itself.  Although none of the Finals went to 3 sets, there were some closely contested matches and a high standard of tennis. 

Highlights of the preliminary rounds were Jodies amazing comeback to beat Jan, having survived 5 match points in the second set.  Rod and Royden beating Max & newcomer John Knight on a tie break in the third set.  Chris & Clives’s marathon second set of 10-8 to beat Royden & Jan in the Mystery Mixed and Graham & Julia’s fight back to beat Rae & Rod 7-5 in the third set in the same competition.

Good stuff folks – let’s have even more entries next year. 

Congratulations to the following:

Mens Singles Winner	David Smith	R/Up	Max Shaw
Ladies Singles Winner	Jodie Standing	R/Up	Avril Standing
Mens Doubles  Winner	David Smith/ Roy Martin	R/Up	Graham Honeybone/ Alex Meek
Ladies Doubles  Winner	Rae Martin/ Julia Wells	R/Up	Cathy Honeybone/ Sue Pollard
Mixed Doubles  Winner	David Smith/ Avril Standing	R/Up	Nick Davis/Jodie Standing
Mystery Mixed Winner	Graham Honeybone/ Julia Wells	R/Up	Clive Pollard/Chris Collier

British Tennis Membership