Chesham Bois Tournament – 26th- 31st May 2008 (Grade 3 LTA Event)  

Despite the poor weather and the long days caused by this, (Monday was a wash out!) and considering that a number of our players were competing in other events (Spring Nationals, Harpenden etc.) the week was high successful as far Halton Players were concerned. So much so that Halton had finalists in 17 of 23 Events, these were the following:

U10 Boys Singles, U10 Girls Singles, U12 Boys Singles, U12 Boys Doubles, U14 Boys Doubles, U14 Boys Singles Consolation, U14 Girls Singles, U14 Mixed Doubles, U16 Boys Singles, U16 Boys Singles Consolation, U16 Girls Singles, U18 Boys Singles, U18 Boys Doubles, U18 Girls Singles, U18 Girls Singles Consolation, U18 Girls Doubles, U18 Mixed Doubles.

Of these finalists congratulations go to the Winners:

Toby Rogers (U10 Boys Singles), Natasha Commins (10 Girls Singles), Alex Fage & Calum McKinlay (U12 Boys Doubles), Michael Patch & Sam Butler (U14 Boys Doubles), Jake Ridgley (U14 Boys Singles Consolation), James Gammell & Claudia Marsala (U14 Mixed Doubles) Gavin McKinlay (U16 Boys Consolation), Josh Oxley & Alex Barnes (U18 Boys Doubles), Heather McNeill, (U18 Girls Singles) Sarah Spanswick & Grace Russell, (U18 Girls Doubles).

And of course to the Finalists:

Joe Tingey (U12 Boys Singles), Jack Mordey (U14 Boys Doubles), Liberty Crawford (U14 Girls Singles) Jack Mordey & Liberty Crawford (U14 Mixed Doubles) Owen Richards (U16 Boys Singles) Sarah Spanswick (U16 Girls Singles) Becky Tricks (U18 Girls Consolation) Emma Strong & Josh Oxley (U18 Mixed Doubles)

Congratulations also to Kathryn Sharples who was runner-up in the Girls U18 Singles at Harpenden, and to Katy Dunne and Alice Patch who both made it through to the quarter finals of the 14&U and 12&U singles and doubles at the National Clay courts.

It was great to observe a major improvement across the board in the ‘rallying’ ball and in general terms the key area to continue to develop is the mid-court game (too passive or reluctant to come forwards).

Overall the Halton Players showed great dedication and professionalism throughout the week (both in terms of pre and post match preparation) and above all demonstrated exemplary behaviour both on and off the court. This was highlighted by the fact that Heather McNeill won the “Best Sports Person of the Tournament Award for Girls” which was just as important as winning the U18 Girls Singles. Each day there was a minimum of 12 up to 18 Players warming up with Coaches (James Morgan, Jemima Hayward and Myself Phil Hill).I would like to thank personally James and Jemima for their excellent support throughout the week.

Phil Hill – 1/6/2008