Last week (11 – 15 August) the 56th Lowestoft and East Suffolk Junior Tennis Tournament welcomed over 70 competitors to Normanston Park in Lowestoft.

With the resurfacing of the six all-weather courts having been completed in March 2008, spectators enjoyed a full schedule of matches throughout the week, with some exceptional tennis being played.

 
Winners and runners-up with organisers after another successful competition

Despite a few dark clouds hovering, the first day stayed dry and 27 first round matches were played with some fine performances especially from Jordan Smith and Liam Bessey (both of Lowestoft) in the Boys first round U14 Singles as both sets went to tie-break. On day two early heavy rain cleared to allow play to commence at 10.45 am and a further 27 matches were played. The last match of the day in the Boys U16 Singles between Devon Moore (Bedford) and James Brabben (Lowestoft) was hard fought to the final set just as the evening rain set in.

Wednesday was interrupted with short, sharp showers, but this did not by any means dampen the players spirits! Some excellent tennis was played much to the delight of the watching crowd. And at lunchtime spectators were entertained with a Pickleball demonstration and several competitors tried their hand at this new sport brought over from America. If you would like to find out more about Pickleball, then please contact Tom Tucker direct at tometucker@hotmail.com


Thanks to a dry and sunny day, Thursday’s busy schedule, including the semi-finals of the Ken Strong Cup (Mixed Doubles), was successfully completed with the last matches of the day being played in the early evening sunshine. Most notably, there was a tough final between Gina Palffy (Norwich) and Madeleine Brooks (Wymondham) in the Girls U12 Singles with Madeleine winning 7-5, 6-2.

Finals Day on Friday was greeted with early morning sunshine that continued throughout the day, which proved to be the hottest day in more ways than one! Several long and very closely fought finals were the order of the day.

Powerful performances from both Alex Holmes (Beccles) and Devon Moore in the Boys U18 Singles, saw an evenly balanced and well-matched final. After one set all (2-6, 6-2), Devon eventually took the third tie-break set (10-8). Together, Alex and Devon went on to win the Boys U18 Doubles, played in a round robin format.

 
Winning duo, Alex and Devon

Another strong partnership in the Boys U16 Doubles, also played in a round robin format, gave James Brabben & James Mitchell (both of Great Yarmouth) victory in this event. And there was further success for James Mitchell with partner Sarah Reynolds (Great Yarmouth) in the U16 Mixed Doubles. Sarah also won the Girls U16 Singles.

The Boys U10 Singles was another close final between Benjamin Collingwood (Great Yarmouth) and Tomas Baker (Norwich), with the winner, Tomas, being decided with a final tie-break set (12-10), as was the Boys U14 Doubles won by Michael Willgrass (Norwich) & Theo Wilkinson (Beccles). Admirable performances from Liam Bessey & William Howlett (both of Lowestoft) won them the Boys U12 Doubles.

Florence Abbott (Canterbury) returned to give a consistently fine performance to, once again, win the Girls U10 Singles, which was played in a round robin format. Brother, Benjamin Abbott, won the Boys U12 Singles and was runner-up to Michael Willgrass (Norwich) in the Boys U14 Singles.

From Wymondham, Madeleine Brooks won both her singles events (U12 & U14) and doubles events - Girls U12 with Gina Palffy (Norwich) and U12 Mixed with William Western (Wymondham).

The Ken Strong Cup – the local mixed doubles for Waveney residents, where partners are drawn for the event – was keenly fought in a very long match between Georgia Cooper (Beccles) & Jordan Smith and Bethany Perkin & Jonathon Block (both of Lowestoft), with the latter finally winning 6-4, 7-6.

 
Jonathon and Bethany receive the Ken Strong Cup from Ken Strong and Councillor Wendy Mawer

Next year will see the 40th anniversary of the Ken Strong Cup, which was first presented in 1969.
Tournament founder Ken Strong, who once again, was on hand throughout the week to give his invaluable support, presented the Ken Strong Cup and event prizes with Waveney District Councillor Wendy Mawer. A strong supporter of sport and physical recreation as part of a healthy life-style, Councillor Mawer, Delegated Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said ‘”At a time when all we seem to hear about young people is negative, it’s really great to be able to experience the reality of Waveney’s youth enjoying themselves and being an example to all - getting out to play sport and having a thoroughly good time whilst doing it!”

The Tournament Team was very impressed with the extremely high standard of tennis. There was some outstanding play, not only from our regular Waveney competitors, but also newcomers to the tournament. The Team was also pleased with the overall behaviour of the players who showed respect and consideration for fellow competitors during a truly exceptional week of tennis. It was therefore difficult to single out just one player for the Goff Moore Cup for Sportsmanship. However, Ian Moore (son of Goff Moore) was delighted to present this special award to Robert Hall from Hopton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth.

 
Robert receives the Goff Moore Cup from Ian Moore

Waveney District Council is most grateful to Mitchells Garage (Lowestoft) Limited for their sponsorship of the Tournament and also to John Easter Trophies for their support with the winners’ and runners-up prizes. Once again, we would like to thank the Lowestoft Journal for their continued support in providing excellent press coverage of the event. The smooth running of the Tournament, almost without interruption from the weather, was thanks to Tournament Referee, Simon Jordan, with support from Ken Strong and Sophie Moore. Thanks also go to the Parks Team (in particular Jim Brock, as well as Paul Chivers and Stuart Thrower at Normanston Park) for all their help and support leading up to and during the tournament week.

Tournament organiser, Jane Lewis from Waveney District Council’s Sports & Leisure Development Team said, “ We have seen some exciting and entertaining tennis this week and once again, I am really pleased to see so much support from the players’ families and friends. It’s such an enjoyable and friendly Tournament - open to all levels.” Jane went on to say “We wish to encourage greater participation in tennis in the Waveney area and would like to see our Tournament continue to grow. I therefore very much look forward to yet another highly successful Tournament next year with even more competitors.”

For more information about tennis in Waveney or any other sports, including disability sport, please contact Jane Lewis or Claire Henwood in the Sports & Leisure Development Team at Waveney District Council direct on 01502 523635 / 523010 or email sports.development@waveney.gov.uk  


Full Results 2008 

Boys 10 Singles
Winner - Tomas Baker (Norwich). Runner up - Benjamin Collingwood (Great Yarmouth)

Boys 12 Singles
Winner - Benjamin Abbott (Canterbury). Runner up - Connor Bligh ( Lowestoft)

Boys 14 Singles
Winner - Michael Willgrass (Norwich). Runner up - Benjamin Abbott

Boys 16 Singles
Winner - James Mitchell (Great Yarmouth). Runner up - James Brabben (Lowestoft)

Boys 18 Singles
Winner - Devon Moore (Bedford). Runner up - Alex Holmes (Beccles) 

Girls 10 Singles
Winner - Florence Abbott (Canterbury). Runner up - Kathryn Laws (Lowestoft)

Girls 12 Singles
Winner - Madeleine Brooks (Wymondham). Runner up - Gina Palffy (Norwich)

Girls 14 Singles
Winner - Madeleine Brooks. Runner up - Gina Palffy

Girls 16 Singles
Winner - Sarah Reynolds (Great Yarmouth). Runner up - Sarah Palmer (Wymondham)

Boys 12 Doubles
Winners - Liam Bessey (Lowestoft) & William Howlett (Lowestoft). Runners up - Connor Bligh (Lowestoft) & George Caplin (Southwold)

Boys 14 Doubles
Winners - Theo Wilkinson (Beccles) & Michael Willgrass. Runners up - Robert Hall (Great Yarmouth) & Lewis Myhill (Great Yarmouth)

Boys 16 Doubles
Winners - James Brabben & James Mitchell. Runners up - Guy Mummery (Lowestoft) & George Adey (Southwold)

Boys 18 Doubles
Winners - Alex Holmes & Devon Moore. Runners up - George Adey & Jonathon Block (Lowestoft)

Girls 12 Doubles
Winners - Madeleine Brooks & Gina Palffy. Runners up - Lucy Brabben (Lowestoft) & Natasha Perkin (Lowestoft)

Mixed 12 Doubles
Winners - Madeleine Brooks & William Western (Wymondham). Runners up - Gina Palffy & Liam Bessey (Lowestoft)

Mixed 16 Doubles
Winners - James Mitchell & Sarah Reynolds. Runners up - Sarah Palmer & Michael Willgrass

Ken Strong Cup Local Mixed Doubles
Winners - Jonathon Block & Bethany Perkin (Lowestoft). Runners up - Georgia Cooper (Beccles) & Jordan Smith (Lowestoft)

Goff Moore Cup for Outstanding Sportsmanship
Winner - Robert Hall