Warm late summer sunshine set the scene for the inaugural Saxmundham Tennis Club Box League finals day, plus social mixed doubles tournament, on Sunday 12th September 2021.
Club members arrived promptly at 9.30am (mostly) to get the day's proceedings underway with the social mixed doubles tournament.
Each of the 15 players who took part knocked their way through four mini-matches of four games each, keeping a tally of their own score, with gentlemen partners switching to add some variety to the play and scoreline.
Well done to the three top-scoring ladies: Belinda, Fran P and Charlotte and the three top-scoring gentlemen: Ian, Shahban and Fran C.
But this was merely an amuse-bouche to the day's main events - with the club's summer Box League finals getting underway from around 11am.
Order of play and results as follows:
Mixed Doubles: Judith and David vs Matt and Shirley
Result: Matt and Shirley won 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 in a long, hot and hard-fought battle with some great volleys and baseline shots throughout from both sides. Congratulations to Matt and Shirley.
Ladies Doubles: Fran P and Fiona vs Jackie and Lisa
Result: Jackie and Lisa won, 6-2, 6-1 congratulations to our dazzling league duo for another great win of the season.
Men's Singles: Matt vs Ewan Result: Ewan won, 6-3, 7-6 with some astoundingly good, pacy play from both competitors.
Men's Doubles: Ewan and Matt vs Bill and Gerard
Result: Ewan and Matt won 6-1, 6-1; this scoreline doesn't convey how entertaining and enjoyable the match was to watch, with abundant skills and dexterity displayed on both sides - the game going ahead thanks to Bill parachuting in at the last minute after taking part in a triathlon (!!!). It was a spectacle roundly lapped up by the gathering crowd, and a splendid way to end the day's activities, played in excellent spirit.
A special mention must go to our Head Coach, Matthew Last, whose organisation of the event since May helped to make the day such a success, including procuring winners' trophies. Matt played a total of 74 separate games on the day, formidable!
Fiona organised an excellent lunch which was soon devoured by hungry players, including trademark homemade salads and cakes, an oeuvre deftly assisted once again by BBQ aficionado Kim. Thank you both, from everyone.
Another thank you goes to tennis fans Doris, Gemma and Millie for some off-court canine capers, and to the tea-makers, cup washer-uppers, and gazebo putter-uppers. Also, to whoever managed to organise such perfect weather. (Probably Fiona again.)
Finally, well done to everyone who took part in the Box League matches, whether you could make it on the day or not.
It was a sunny September delight of a day for our brilliant club, and the Summer Box League will return in 2022!
Gallery: inaugural Box League finals day, September 2021
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