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William Barker exceeds expectations at Northampton Tournament

William went into his 2nd Orange tournament at Dallington LTC in Northampton with low expectations following a very tough (Grade 4) first Orange tournament at Peterborough a few weeks earlier. He set himself the goal of winning 2 matches, because he knew some of the stronger competitors from his performance squad sessions.

However he played five box matches (round robin) and won them all to achieve his place in the final. The toughest match of the five was against Henry Grayson, his friend & squad partner. William lost the first set 7-1 with number of unforced errors but he recovered and put Henry under pressure by moving him around the court with some well placed shots, forcing errors from his opponent. At 1-1, William took charge of the match and won the final set.
In the final William came up against a very experienced player from Cambridge. William had a set point in the first set but lost after 2 clear points. The match was concluded in 2 sets after a close fought battle, with William pleased with his performance against a tough opponent.
Results:
1. Archie Reid – won 7-3, 7-4. 2.   Joshua Bright – won 7-5, 7-0. 3.   William Richards won 7-3, 7-1, 4.   George Criteson won 7-3, 7-5 and   5. Henry Grayson – won 1-7, 7-5, 7-4.
The final v Alex Boyd-Bench lost 6-8, 4-7.

Stamford’s Mini Red Team Triumph at Oundle

On Sunday 25th March 2012 the R2R Mini Red Circuit moved on to Oundle Tennis Club.

Picture shows runners-up Challengers on the left and winners Stamford on the right.

There were six teams taking part: Stamford, Thrapston, Oakham, Oundle, Kettering and Challengers.

The Stamford team players were Lucy James, Harry Atkin(missed the photograph), William Stanier, and Jacob Sinfield.

In a very close tournament most of the groups and matches were very close with many of the individual matches going past first to 10 and having to be won by 2 clear points.

Stamford took the glory on the day with an impressive 14 wins but we were pushed all the way by the Challengers Team who won 13 Matches. Thrapston came in third with 12 wins, showing just how tight the result was.

The event was judged a great success by organisers, parents and players alike. The next event in the circuit is to be in June at Bourne Tennis Club.

Final Positions: 1st: Stamford – 14 wins, 2nd: Challengers – 13 wins, 3rd: Thrapston – 12 wins, 4th: Oakham – 8 wins, 5th: Kettering – 8 wins, 6th: Oundle – 5 wins.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

To all new members in 2012, welcome to Stamford Tennis Club.  Click on the Club Info page to find out more about the club, social tennis, playing in our teams, coaching and club contacts

NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM ONLINE NOW

The new membership form is now available – follow the link at the bottom of the home page.  With Junior membership from just £15, adults £100 and family options too, this represents great value for a year of tennis at one of the county’s most successful clubs, whether you want to take part in the social tennis sessions or play more competitively in one of the many teams.

Isabel Chedd(14) wins Ladies Championship!

On Saturday 24th September, in a late afternoon match, the 2011 Ladies Championship Final was played between Isabel Chedd and Susie Archer. With both ladies typically playing a solid rallying game from the baseline this was always likely to be a close match with long baseline rallies and it didn’t disappoint. Isabel took a very tight first set 6 games to 4. At the start of the second set Susie changed her tactics, moving forward and trying to dominate the rallies from the net. This appeared to pay dividends initially but Isabel was soon counterpunching with some lovely passing shots. At 4-3 up in the second set it looked like Susie was going to win the set and take the match to a third, deciding set, but Isabel fought back, broke Susie’s serve to level at four all and from there finished the stronger, closing out the set 6-4 to win her first Ladies Singles Club Championship.

Charity Tournament A Great Success

The club’s charity tournament was held on September 11th 2011 in support of the Evergreen Care Trust. On a rather blustery (though dry and sunny) day ,28 players turned out to take part in the tournament where partners were drawn by lot every round. Rounds were timed and ‘games won’ carried forward to give each player a total number of games won over the six rounds. Winner of the ladies half was Karen Bourne by several games margin. Neil Chedd won the mens half a single game!  After the tennis was completed, all the players enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch in the clubhouse. Thanks go to the Social Committee for their excellent organisation and to all the ladies who brought the lunch!
A total of £373 was raised for the Evergreen Care Trust. To find out more about Evergreen and their work supporting the elderly community in Stamford please check their website www.evergreencare.org.uk

Winners - Karen Bourne and Neil Chedd

William Barker is Lincs 8&U Runner-up

Lincs 8&U Runner-up – William Barker

William played in the 85th Lincolnshire Junior Closed Championships on Friday 2nd September at Boston Tennis Club.

There were 12 boys in William’s age group for 8&U (Mini Red). The players were split into 2 divisions and each division played a Round Robin format, where the boys played one match against every boy in their division.
William won 4 out of his 5 round robin matches. This meant he finished second in his division which took him through to play a cross-over semi-final against the winner of the other division. William played well and won the semi-final comfortably. Through to the final, he once again faced the boy he had lost to in the round robin, 10-1! William was determined to fight back in the final. A long, tight match followed, William losing 10-8 to his opponent, who had served very well throughout.
William finished County runner up in his first singles competition and is pictured with his trophy.
William’s coach Carole Wilson said later ‘I am delighted with William’s performance in the County Closed. He combines good tactical awareness and rapidly improving technical skills with a fierce competitive spirit. He also displays good sportsmanship regardless of a match’s outcome. He has taken the opportunity to identify some areas of his game to work on, learning from his defeats while enjoying his victories. An excellent performance all round. Well done!”

Stamford U16 Girls triumph against DL Burton Waters

Stamford Under 16 Girls team were successful in their final AEGON League match, played on Sunday 12th June. Despite the appalling weather both teams agreed to battle on, determined to get the fixture completed if at all possible.
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The girls have finished as runners up in the Aegon U16 girls Division 1 Lincs Team Tennis.  They lost only one match to the eventual division winners Boston, whio fielded a high ranking side.  The Stamford team were all underage, including two 13 year olds so they have done very well.  Team Captain Felicity Chedd said ‘The girls all played very well and thanks to Imogen Huxley, Isabel Chedd, Tara Garden, Molly Atkinson & Joanna Crombie’.

FELIX BEECH WINS COUNTY U14 WINTER LEADER BOARD

Felix Beech,  13, has continued his successful run in County Tennis by becoming the  Lincolnshire County Leader Board Winner for the 2010/11 winter season. Despite  playing up an age group, Felix gained more points at U14 grade 4 events than  any other competitor in Lincolnshire.
Felix said “It was a great surprise to  win this award; I worked really hard on my tennis over the winter but hadn’t  realised that I had done so well!”
Felix is coached by Ralph Clarke at Stamford  Tennis Club and  also attends the Loughborough High Performance Centre.
Felix is pictured with his  medal, awarded by the Lincolnshire LTA.

 

EASTER KIDS CAMPS A HIT!

We ran four mornings of children’s tennis camps over the Easter holidays. The groups were well attended and great fun was had by all. Lots of tennis, lots of energetic fun and we even had great weather. See below a selection of photos from the week.

 

 

Erin Finn Callum Amanda with coach Robin

 

Hector Marianne Anna Bella Anna Phoebe Tilda Katherine with coach Will

 

Tilda Phoebe Katherine Marianne Bella Anna Anna

 

Alexander Kieran Joe Charlotte Velvet Lili Tilly Eloise with Simon

 

Coach Richard and assistant Lili with their Mini Reds

Matthew Jessica Sam Holly Anya Lottie Ned with assistant Kieran and coach Simon