Coach’s Corner

THE first installment of clash of the clubs took place at Bude on Friday, February 19, writes Head Tennis Coach James Brobin.

The day started at 9.30am and saw the mini-tennis players take centre stage with a great entry from Launceston Tennis Club and an early advantage on the leaderboard.

With a huge points advantage on the leader board the Launceston club took further advantage with a winner in mini-tennis red and orange with Ruben Mudd eligible for both categories, Ruben playing some great tennis finished as the winner in both mini-tennis red and orange.

The Green competition saw another great entry and Will Skinner of Bude put Bude into second place on the leader board with a win in a very competitive green tournament.

The afternoon was the turn of the juniors in which the Wadebridge club dominated the largest entry of the day.

Special mention must go to Cameron Hutchinson who produced the most improved performance of his time in tennis so far. Young Cameron reached the semi-final before bowing out to eventual winner Albert Shepherd from Bude.

Cameron who was representing the Wadebridge club along with Ben Lamb both lost out in the semi-finals after having a pleasing tournament.

Joseph Tucker from Launceston pushed Albert Shepherd all the way to a match play tiebreak and Albert edged it 11-9 at the end of play.

The clash of the clubs leader board saw the host club Bude finish in third place with 48 points. In second place, after a great effort by the juniors for participation and performance, were Wadebridge who closed the gap to just four points over eventual winners Launceston.

Wadebridge finished the day with 58 points and champions Launceston, with a great all round entry and performance, with the winning total of 62. A good entry for our first competition in 2016 and with the Easter holidays on the horizon it would be best advised to enter early for our open competitions.

The Launceston Open is to be held on March 30 open to all mini and junior tennis players. The Wadebridge open sponsored by Cole, Raymond and White is to be played on the March 31. Bude’s will take place on April 1. Entries are now open and the closing date is Wednesday, March 23.

My thanks to fellow coach Rachael Stacey who help clash of the clubs to another successful conclusion.