Author: Gillian Sanderson

Many thanks to Martin for hosting a very successful games night as an addition to the usual Tuesday social tennis evening.  The event was  enjoyed by over 30 members including some newcomers to the club. Various on court games played with mini tennis rackets and orange balls alien to the majority of competitors! Team A led till the final game, “wipe out”, which it certainly was with Team B taking the 5 points on offer to secure overall victory. Games were followed by a couple of sets of social tennis, snacks and drinks from the bar.

From 20th September, there will be  a new weekday social tennis session at the club on Mondays from 10.00am till 12 noon.  All members welcome for a set or two of social tennis and/or tea or coffee and biscuits.  A good way to start of the week!  Even if the weather isn’t suitable for tennis, or you are just a social member, pop in to see your tennis club friends for a drink and a chat.

Congratulations to our Mens Leigh & Westcliff team who won the final of the Mens Jubilee Cup competition against Rayleigh. Our first pair, Alex Goldhawk and Tim Willcock, won their rubber in straight sets, whilst second pair, Neil Attwood and Will Bailes, took the opening set of their rubber to ensure a victory overall for Westcliff Lawn. A great end to the summer season!

The WLTC Club Championships finals day involved some long matches on a very warm and sunny day. Great to see lots of spectators enjoying both the tennis and refreshments. Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to the runners up.  Results available on the Club Tournaments page. Thanks to Steve for running the tournaments once again and overseeing finals day, Wendy and Sandra for organising refreshments and to those who baked cakes and helped in the kitchen, and finally Andy for looking after the bar all day as well as taking photos which can be viewed on Facebook (no account required).

Great to see some of our younger members enjoying taking part in our club Mini Tennis Tournaments. Eventual winner of the 9&U Singles event was Drew Moore, with runner up Lucas Jennings. And in the 8&U event, the winner was Finn Fordham, with runner up Olivia Knightly. Well done to all competitors and especially the winners.

An excellent return to social events tonight with a Penzance Pasty and Polgoon night proving very popular. Over sixty people were at the club to enjoy delicious pasties supplied by Lavenders in Penzance washed down by Polgoon cider! Thanks to the ladies who helped serve the pasties piping hot and to Andy for looking after the bar so efficiently, plus Steve for organising the tennis. Great to see all the courts in use and the club so busy once again.

Great end to the Westcliff Lawn Summer Open Tournament with club member Stefan Protic winning the Mens Open Singles title, winning a close fought final in the third set championship tiebreak. And earlier in the week, Freddy and George Ward contested the 18&U Boys Singles final with George coming out the victor, whilst George also won the 16&U event. Well done to tournament referee Graham and thanks to all club members who helped in various ways to make the tournament a success.

Another enjoyable trip to Cornwall for a number of club members to play in this year’s Penzance Open. Success for Dan & Mike in the Mens Handicap Doubles final and also for Marg & Sarah in the Ladies 55 & Over Doubles. Dan with partner Mats Colling (Southampton) were also runners up in the Mens Open Doubles, . Very well done to them all!  A big thank you to Steve for refereeing the tournament for the 25th consecutive time, and to Hazel for her behind the scenes support. For any club members interested in making the journey to Penzance in 2022, the planned tournament dates are Sunday 24th July to Saturday 30th July 2022.

Congratulations to three of our teams who finished top of their divisions. Mens 3 were runaway winners of Division 5 with 50 out of a possible 60 points, gaining a very well deserved promotion to Division 4 next year. Ladies 3 and Mixed 4 were also champions of their respective divisions though with club teams in the divisions above, they remain in the same divisions next summer. Runners up spots for Mixed 2 and 3, Ladies 2 and 4, and Mens 1.  Well done to all our players, and thanks to the captains for their hard work organising teams for 10 consecutive weeks.