ONE expects the players of a veterans tournament to be in the autumn of their playing years just as one would expect the month of October to have left the summer behind; however, the weather and tennis on show at Penarth Windsor’s veterans finals day last weekend suggested neither is true.

For Friday night's mixed doubles 40 and over final, there was a light sprinkling of drizzle but also magic as Sarah and Simon Parkhouse took on Cathy O’Doherty and Peter Bellingham. Sarah and Simon started the stronger and retained the high level in a tight second set to pick up the title.

The next day began with singles action as Nicky Davies and Beth Hughes and Guy Bradley and Tim Dawes did battle. All four players will have key roles in the club’s upcoming winter season and showed that they will be hitting the ground running with some real quality tennis. Nicky and Guy emerged victorious before both quickly returned to the court in the doubles finals.

Guy was joined by Peter Bellingham and the two were in the formidable form required to be crowned champions ahead of fellow finalists Phil Dutfield and Jason Richards. Nicky and Beth took to the same side of the net for their second final but were second best to Cathy O’Doherty and Sarah Parkhouse who also made the transition from combatants to colleagues.

There was still time for the crowds to be treated to the ladies' super vets (55 and over) doubles final as Kay Clarke and Bev House squared off against Elaine Newton and Janet Ford. The experience on show led to some beautifully crafted tennis and it was Kay and Bev who lifted the trophy.

There have also been honours at the other end of the membership spectrum with some excellent recent achievements by some of the club’s juniors. Rohan Rayani started the Black Dog Tennis Orange season with a bang by winning the opening event and Holly Ritchie reached the final of the David Lloyd World Series Red event. There has been deserved recognition for Annabel Richards, Grace Samuel, Seren Marsh and Niamh Sweeney who all received tennis medals at Stanwell School’s awards night; and the club also offers its congratulations to Harry Davies and Leo Sullivan who have been invited to South Wales development training camps as their excellent progress continues.