Ramsbury Tennis Club held its finals day on Sunday 25 June 2023, the hottest day of the year so far! It proved to be one of the most competitive and entertaining finals days the club has ever had, attracting a large number of spectators.
Matt Fretwell took on not one, not two, but three finals matches in one day. As the reigning men’s singles champion, Fretwell faced the formidable junior prodigy Sam Clague who had effortlessly demolished all his opponents in previous rounds.
This was an eagerly anticipated match that didn’t disappoint. Despite a valiant effort from Fretwell, Clague secured a 6-0, 6-4 victory. However, Fretwell had threatened to turn the tide when he temporarily seized the lead in the second set.
A gripping encounter that reminded everyone just how talented these two Ramsbury tennis titans are.
There was a gutsy performance between Annabel Mackay and junior Anya Holdsworth in the ladies singles.
Holdsworth set a new record for the youngest ladies single’s finalist in the club’s 50-year history.
Ultimately, it was Mackay who emerged triumphant with a remarkable turnaround after losing the first set 2-6. Mackay hardly put a foot wrong to clinch the second set 6-4, eventually sealing the championship tiebreak 10-4.
The ladies doubles event saw mother/daughter duo Annabel & Olivia Wade take on sisters Clare Allman & Jane McGovern. After losing the second set, the Wades held their nerve to win 6-4, 2-6 (10-6) in a spellbinding display with plenty of groundstrokes finding the lines.
Notably, Olivia Wade became the youngest ever player to triumph in a Ramsbury finals day tournament at 11-years-old.
Matt Fretwell and Raleigh Addington squared off against Chris Procter & Karl Stacey in the men’s doubles. In a relentless back-and-forth battle, Procter & Stacey claimed the victory 7-5, 2-6 (10-6) in an exciting tussle that could easily have gone either way.
Matt Fretwell – refusing to let fatigue dampen his spirit – then eamed up with Stephanie Hart against Lee Cowen & Lissa Muncer in the mixed doubles.
Fretwell and Hart secured a commanding 6-2 victory in the first set. Cowen and Muncer, refusing to yield, launched a stunning comeback in the second set to claim it 7-5. At crunch time Fretwell and Hart displayed their resilience with a 10-6 tiebreak win.
In a roundup of plate competition matches:
Jacqy McQue beat Clare Allman 6-2 Rtd in the ladies singles plate.
Joy Wilson & Majella Burkin beat Amelia Tester & Gill Devey 6-4, 7-6 in the ladies doubles plate.
Kevin Jauncey & Chris Clark beat Ian Cresswell and Tom McCrae 6-1, 6-3 in the men’s doubles plate.
Lionel Barnes & Gill Devey beat Simon Benney & Amelia Tester 6-4, 6-7 (10-7) in the mixed doubles plate.
All the plate matches delivered equally thrilling performances, serving as a testament to the depth of talent within Ramsbury Tennis Club.
Tournament organiser was full-time coach Neil Little. Trophies presented by club president Ethel Hutchings. Designated photographer Chris Snelling.
Music for a Summer’s Evening with the Royal Wootton Bassett Orchestra
