LAUNCESTON Tennis Club held their annual club finals on Sunday, September 23.

Played in cloudy but dry conditions, the men’s showpiece event saw Graham Worth, who was going for his 12th title, take on Henry Cornish, who was playing in his first final.

Worth won the opening set 6-2 coming to the net often to finish points off. The second set was a tighter affair with Cornish’s athleticism working, as he retrieved many lost causes to win points.

Cornish had a point to go 5-3 up, which Worth saved before he went on to win the set 6-4 to retain his crown.

The ladies final was a rematch between Shannon Sandy against Sarah Statton from previous years.

The first set ebbed and flowed either way early on but Sandy took it 6-2.

The second set followed a similar pattern but Sandy’s ability to hit clean winners proved decisive and she won it 6-3 to win the title for the eighth year in a row.

In a repeat of last year’s girls’ final, Charlotte Halls faced Issey Thorns.

There were several good rallies but Halls’ match experience and ability to find the corners meant retained her title.

Later in the day, Charlotte took on Jenny Worth in the Ladies Plate final.

In a close first set, Worth caused Halls problems by mixing things up and coming to the net, although Halls took it 6-3.

In the second set, Halls proved too strong and eased to victory, losing just a solitary game.

In the Men’s Plate, veteran Chris Stanbury took on Ashley Taylor.

Stanbury’s tactical nous worked a treat to go 5-1 up before Taylor battled back to take the first set to a tie break which he was able to win.

In the second set, Taylor’s youth proved critical as he took it 6-2.

The boys final saw Matt Ryall face Simon Cornish. The first set was highly competitive with the lead changing hands several times and both players covering the court well. Ryall prevailed to take it 7-5.

Winning the first set gave Matt the momentum which he took it into the second set, which he won 6-2.

The finals day concluded the summer season and it was a chance to reflect on the five Launceston teams performances in the league.

The Men’s A team were relegated from County Division One after finishing second from last which was also the position in which the Ladies A team found themselves in the Premiership.

In contrasting success, the Ladies B team were champions of the East Division and the Men’s B team finished a respectable fourth in Division Two East.

The Men’s C team propped up the same division but were able to give some valuable experience to some up and coming youngsters.