|
|---|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
News Menu
All the latest from the world of Rackets.
Look through our past news items, going back a full four years:
If you've a specific question - ask the Rackets.co.uk Team.
............................................
Specialist Links
We provide promotion & sponsorship opportunities to suitable companies.
Our complete terms of
use. |
U21 and U24 Open Singles and Doubles Championships Sponsored by KBC Peel Hunt The Queen’s Club, 16-20 December 2005 Report by Howard Angus
Although the size
of the draws were smaller this year than recently, the quality of play
in 2005 was exceptionally high and the championships produced the best
contested finals for a long time. It is very encouraging for the future
to see such impressive performances from a handful of U21 +U24’s,
without one individual dominating the competitions.
The Under 21 doubles title for the Leonard cup was won by top seeds James Coyne and George Tysoe who beat Pete Dunbar and Joe Bone, second seeds, in an entertaining final by 3 games to 1. The pairs shared the opening 2 games, and Bone and Dunbar looked likely to win the 3rd when leading 11-9 and then again 11-10, but a good run by Tysoe gave him and Coyne the game 15/11 and in the 4th game Bone and Dunbar were outplayed 15/1, Bone understandably looking a little weary at the end of his third final of the day! Again this match contained some cracking good rallies and concluded the best day of finals in the U21’s and U24’s that we have had in a long while.
Other Links .......................................................................................................................................
Read About The History Of Rackets From its roots of a game played outside taverns, through to the modern game.
The past and present leading players of the game.
Find Out The Latest Results In The World Of Rackets All the results, fixtures and draws for the UK game.
|
This Seasons Fixtures | Site Terms
© Rackets.co.uk. 2004. Powered by Fifty-Eight UK Ltd.
A
close final for the Green Cup was the first of the matches on finals day
to go on court, between Alex Hackett and Joe Bone. Hackett, seeded 4 had
beaten top seed and holder Duncan Odds, in the semi-final 15-9 in the
deciding game, an excellent win, whilst Joe Bone seeded 3 had beaten No
2 seed Pete Dunbar 3-1 in the other semi. Bone got in front in the
opening game of the final and maintained the gap, to take it 15/9.
Hackett worked hard to take the second 15/6, but Bone had some useful
service runs to lead 2 games to 1, and when he went to 5-0 in the 4th
game he perhaps should have gone on to win, but Hackett battled
gallantly to get back on terms. Bone lead 12-11, then saved a game ball
at 12-14, but Hackett levelled at 2 games all with really determined
play. At the start of the deciding 5th game Hackett was in
hand 6 times without scoring, but at 6-0 Bone got stuck himself and 9
times he served with the score at 6 but couldn’t get a point! Hackett
clawed his way a point at a time to 7-6, went 7-10 down, but had a good
run to lead 12-10 and finished off with a run of 3 to take the exciting
game 15-10. This match contained many excellent rallies, with fine
retrieving and some spectacular winners. Hackett showed commendable
determination, especially after dropping behind at the start of both the
last two games, but needs to reduce the time he takes between rallies.
Both players might benefit from adding a backhand serve from the right
box. This was an excellent match much enjoyed by the spectators.
Next
on court was the U24 doubles for the Sutton Trophy with holders and top
seeds James Coyne and George Tysoe up against Joe Bone and Ryan Tulley
who had beaten second seeds Alex Coldicott and Duncan Odds 3-0 in the
semi, a surprisingly easy but commendable win. Coyne and Tysoe began
slowly, losing the first game 15/6, but lead 13-5 in the second. Bone
and Tulley got back to 13 all, but lost it 16/13 in the set, and then
lost the 3rd 18/13 having led 13-9. At 2 games to 1 down Bone
and Tulley led throughout in the 4th winning it 15/10 despite
some nervous play towards the end, and then in the deciding 5th
Ryan Tulley served them to victory in 3 excellent hands. Tulley’s game
has come on admirably since becoming assistant pro to John Eaton at
Harrow, and his skills and positive attitude should make him a first
rate school or club professional if the right position comes up at the
completion of his training which has been funded by the T&RA Young
Professionals Fund. Joe Bone is getting stronger and has the skills to
be a top player. Neither James Coyne nor George Tysoe appeared quite as
sharp as they would have wished in this, the first of their two doubles
finals of the day.
A
couple of hours after his Under 21s singles final Alex Hackett was back
on court for his Under 24s singles final for the Swallow trophy against
holder and top seed Alex Coldicott. Coldicott and Hackett had each won
their semi’s 3-1, losing the second game to Ryan Tulley and James Coyne
respectively. But in the second round Hackett had beaten second seed
Duncan Odds 3-1, and Ryan Tulley had beaten 4th seed Mike
Bailey, also 3-1, so Hackett had the chance to beat all the top 3 seeds
if he could topple Coldicott in the final. But this was not to be.
Despite some splendid retrieving and powerful hitting, it was only in
the 3rd game that Hackett was able to dominate from the
serving box, scoring 9 aces in taking the game 15/2. This seemed to spur
Coldicott to put in a bit more effort and concentration into his own
serve, which enabled him to win the game 15/7 and retain his Swallow
trophy title. Hackett’s play has matured in the time since he left
Radley. His reach is almost Foster-like, and his determination is almost
Boone-like. He had a good Championship to move himself into the
forefront of the U21 and U24 age groups. Coldicott has the class to
excel, lapses of concentration perhaps being his current Achilles Heel,
almost Guy Smith-Bingham like!