Family fortunes in tennis finals (From Penarth Times)

Family fortunes in tennis finals

THERE was something of a battle royal on the courts of Penarth Tennis Club when rival claimants to the championship titles gathered to stake their claim last weekend.

The Gray dynasty spearheaded by Sue, Rachel and Giles, the Seymours, Julie and Gavin, the Hennessey sisters, Victoria and Alex, the Young Pretender Martin Radford and veteran campaigner Dave Foster all prepared to do battle in the heat of the day.

All had a legitimate claim to the title. The Grays had more than 30 singles and doubles titles between them, the Hennesseys totalled 20, the Seymours had notched up eight doubles titles, Martin had one doubles title and Dave had lost count, but his first championship title was won in 1970 and he has regained his place of honour seven times since then.

Back from self imposed exile, Julie Seymour was determined to dethrone reigning champion Alex Hennessey and be the first to add the name of Seymour to the championship board, but Alex had other ideas.

Although Julie fought hard, Alex matched her shot for shot and put paid to her challenge winning 6-1, 6-2.

Meanwhile, on court one, Gavin and Martin knew that whatever the outcome of their match, a new champion would be enthroned and the name of Radford or Seymour would be emblazoned in gold for all to see.

Playfully nicknamed Little and Large, the men stepped on court in blazing sunshine. The games were hard fought and the courts invaded by dive bombing seagulls but despite a strategically brilliant game plan Gavin failed to defeat Martin who eventually won 6-4, 6-2 and with a shriek of delight from the Radford camp, the courts were once again invaded, this time by an ecstatic daughter Victoria.

Whilst the men recovered from their titanic struggle, the Grays and the Hennesseys took their places to contest the ladies doubles, each pair convinced of their destiny against formidable opposition.

After a valiant struggle the Hennessey family gained control to win 6-1, 6-0 and Alex took a rest before she took part in her third and final match of the day, the mixed doubles.

The new men's champion Martin teamed up with former champ Dave Foster to try to claim his second title of the day, but to do that he had to face his beaten opponent Gavin who was partnered by former champion Giles Gray.

Gavin was determined to get his revenge and prevent Martin from claiming his second title of the day and triple honours, as each man was also in contention for the mixed doubles finals, but it was not to be and Mr Radford and Dr Foster added another trophy to their collection.

As the day drew to a close and the smoke from the barbie rose to the skies, the mixed doubles final was played in great spirit by the four singles contenders. This time the Seymour family were on opposing sides as Gavin partnered Alex and Julie teamed up with Martin. The first set went to Alex and Gavin 6-4, but the momentum changed and Martin and Julie took the next 0-6.

As the carnival procession made its way to the sea front, the final shot was played for a 6-2 result. Gavin had won a title for the Seymour family and Alex had won the triple crown.

At the end of the day the Hennessey family was victorious with four titles to their credit, Martin had two, and the Seymour family and Dave Foster one each with the Gray family empty handed for the first time in many years.

A great day's tennis was had by all, including the junior finalists who will have their own report in a future issue of the Penarth Times.

If your child has ambitions to be a tennis champ or just wants to have fun, why not get in touch with club coach John Williams who will be holding camp days every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer holidays from 9am to 4pm when various sports and activities will be on offer at a cost of £12 per day.

For the more serious player keen to improve their ratings, there will be Division 7 and 6 Ratings days on offer Thursdays and Fridays. Contact John on 07796935609 for further details.