Cheddar Tennis Club’s finals day were watched by a good number of club members.

CHEDDAR Tennis Club’s junior and senior tournaments came to a stirring climax at their annual finals day event, watched by a good crowd of club members.

The junior boy’s singles were first on court, with Ben Morgan defeating Jamie Wilbourne in a closely fought match 4-2, 2-4 (10-4) in the under-10s. Harry Chantrey then stole the show, winning first the under-12s, 6-0, 6-4 against Joseph Brooks and the under-16s, 6-2, 6-4 against Nathan Mackenzie.

Lunchtime brought fine fare for the spectators to enjoy, while watching the first of the senior finals; the ladies’ doubles, won convincingly 6-1, 6-2 by Juliet Knight and Cait Daniels against Joan May and Denise Davidson.

This was just the start of a family affair, as Juliet’s brother the head coach Stephen Pearce then overcame her son Chris Knight to take the men’s singles title 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. It was a mighty battle of booming serves and fierce ground strokes, which lasted for two hours before the more experienced man triumphed.

However, Chris Knight soon bounced back. After a short break to refuel, he was back on court partnering Andy Mearns to the men’s doubles title against Alan Foster and Sohail Syed in an absorbing match, which soared one way and then the other, ending 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to the victors.

Another break and Knight was on again, this time partnering Denise Davidson to victory in the mixed doubles, over Stephen Pearce and Liz Mattock, winning 6-1, 7-5 late into the evening under floodlights.

In presenting the trophies, club chair Jennie Colton congratulated all the players on their skill and fitness, with particular mentions for Pearce, who had run three hours of junior coaching before his first match and Sohail Syed, who drove back from watching Britain’s Davis Cup match in Glasgow to play his final and then back again straight afterwards to witness Britain’s last day triumph over Australia.

The club is now into its winter season with good club sessions four times a week, regular coaching for players of all ages and winter league matches for seniors due to start shortly.

For more information, contact Jennie Colton 01934 742703 or visit www.cheddartennisclub.co.uk