Weather plays ball for the Formby Holy Trinity Tennis Club finals

18 Finals were completed at the Formby Holy Trinity Tennis Club (FHTTC) Tournament tennis finals last weekend, despite the horrific weather forecasts on both days. As if by magic, conditions suddenly improved which allowed play to commence on time on both days; and to continue largely uninterrupted.

Multiple finalist, 16-year-old Jake Danvers, had a mixed weekend, winning two of his five Finals but impressed everybody with his dynamic game style and showed great maturity in the manner in which he dealt with both victory and defeat. The experience of Garry Henwood, some 40 years his senior, proved too much for him in his first ever Men’s Singles Final, but he recovered from that disappointment to edge out Dylan Scarisbrick in the 18 and U Boys’ Singles Final.

Pictured: Calm before the storm... All trophies and prizes laid out for Saturday's finals.

The evergreen Carol Thompson, whose skills at the net are unrivalled, dominated the Ladies events, winning the Ladies singles against the hard-hitting Laura Burns. In the Ladies’ Doubles Final, she then teamed up with her sister; the rock steady Lynn McGarry; to edge out Keren Cartwright and Michelle McLeod. Lynn, however: partnered by the mercurial Stuart Elliott; just got the upper hand over her sister in the Mixed Doubles Final, defeating Carol and husband Matt after an incredibly close first set.

The Men’s Doubles Final proved to be the closest and most exciting of the whole weekend. Partnered by the hugely experienced Stuart Elliott, 13-year-old Jan Sullivan showed great composure as they finally triumphed after over two and a half hours in a third set tie break, against the swashbuckling play of Dave Jones and Mark Duncalf whose left-handed swinging serves are a delight to behold.

Highlight of the Junior Finals: which were mostly completed on the Sunday; was the 16 and U Boys’ Singles Final which saw the jet heeled Connor Dykes deservedly take the title in a third set ‘Match Tie Break’ against Jake Danvers; in a match of high quality and fantastic rallies which had the crowd marvelling at their efforts.

Pictured: View from the chair for the Under 16's Boys' Singles, with the 12 & Under Boys' Doubles taking place in the background.

The Girls’ Finals were delightful with Rebecca Warne taking the Girls Singles Final against her good friend Isla McGarry. Rebecca then teamed up with Isla to take the Girls’ Doubles Final against the fledgling partnership of Jasmine Spence and Martha Steel in a Final played in a fantastic spirit and which was a credit to all four players.

Thanks are due to everybody who made the whole weekend such a success…not least the weather!

For the full ‘Roll of Honour’ please visit our website (www.formbyhttc.com) or Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/formbyhttc).

Written by A. McGibbon.