Deeping Tennis Club stage their finals day
Deeping Tennis Club held their finals day despite some difficult weather conditions.
Coronavirus had delayed all the competitions but by October the Outgang Road club were ready to stage the finals and, despite drizzle on the day which put the whole event in doubt, they decided to carry on.
The first event was the veteran’s doubles final where there was a surprise result with David Packer and Kevin Browne beating Duncan Malcolmson and Danny Spooner 7-5, 3-6, 11-9 - the last set being replaced by a championship tie-break.
Next up was the men’s doubles where defending champions John Timson and James Westgate were playing against club coach Simon Bentley and rising star Chase Burgess who is aged just 13.
An upset looked on the cards when Simon and Chase won the first set 6-0, but in the end a gritty comeback by the champions saw them home 0-6, 7-5, 6-4.
There was bound to be a new name on the ladies’ singles cup as both finalists were appearing for the first time.
Young Abi Lester, daughter of former champion Lorraine, was playing the more experienced Debbie Wilding.
Experience certainly told in the first set which Debbie took 6-2, but Abi came back in the second to take it 6-3.
The match was settled by another championship tie-break, but by now Abi’s power of shot was beginning to tell and she took it 10-1.
Debbie was also involved in the ladies’ doubles final, playing with Harriet May, but victory went to their opponents Sarah Chappell and Helen Whitfield 6-4, 6-3.
The men’s singles final again featured serial winner Timson who was this time up against another rising star in Harvey Frosdick.
Harvey’s turn will surely come but on this occasion John racked up his 17th championship with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Duncan Malcolmson beat Alan Jones 7-5, 6-2 in the men’s plate while the last event to be finished was the mixed doubles.
This again saw a clash between youth and experience and there will be new names on the trophy as Alice Gamman and Chase Burgess beat Harriet May and John Timson 7-5, 6-4.
