Under cloudier skies than normal for this summer, Richmond Finals Day was lit up by the outstanding matches on courts. For the large crowd who came magnetised no doubt by the free Pimms ・they were treated to a range of epic matches played at the highest standard. In The Mens Singles Morne Swart just edged out Clive Bertram in a three set struggle dominated by the serve played on a surface that was kept low by the rain the day previous. (All details and results on the Richmond Web Site). Morne has been playing outstanding tennis all season and a fantastic reward for knocking out the Number ! seed ・Andrew Birse ・in the semi final.

The Ladies singles was an equally tight affair. It was a duel between Katre Sard's serve and forehand and Kirsty's all round play. In the end it was Katre's power play that won in the end to put a new name on the Cup. Possibly the Match of the Day was in the Mens doubles where Andrew Birse and the old war horse himself Jeremy Sharp won a third set epic 14 -12 against Shahin and Morne. Jeremy in fact got the ball back from a prone position with match point against that proved decisive.

In the ladies doubles Natasha Beach and Kirsty Thompson outgunned ・and they won't mind me saying this - the very experienced June Stowell and Vanessa Brown who are wily campaigners. This was an excellent win for Natasha and Kirsty who played some cracking points from the back of the court.

Another exceelnt match and probably the best mixed doubles game the Club has seen saw Clive and Claire finally edge Andrew and 14 year old Millie. The match ended at about 8.30 at night still with over 50 people watching ・it was gripping ・it was played in fantastic spirit and a tribute to all.

In the Vets tournaments Mark and Toby were too good for Colin and Jason as their 4 year crown ebbed into the evening twilight and Vanessa and June similarly were too good for Lisette and Alison.

This was a huge tournament for the Club with record numbers entering. Thanks must go to everyone involved playing their matches at breakneck speed. Thanks too for all the volunteers and officials on the day for their umpiring and linesmanship ・if that痴 the word and especially to Malcolm, Shoko, Hugh Thomas, Lisette, Corin and Monty.

Also big thanks to Toby and Ed  for their photography and to Henry Weston for his photography ・great stuff

Jason