REPORT ON THE FIRST FERNHURST TENNIS WORLD CUP DOUBLES HELD ON SUNDAY 14 AUGUST
[Semi-finalists at the first Fernhurst Tennis Club Mixed or Ladies Doubles Shield from left to right - Richard and Lauren Walker ( Fernhurst) Fiona Moodie and Willy Randall (Haslemere) Gill Vlasto and Judith Turner (Fernhurst ) Karen Bennett and Rory Nursten (Midhurst)]
The sun shone and the crowd of spectators cheered at the finals of the inaugural Fernhurst Tennis Club Mixed or Ladies Doubles Shield when a pair from Fernhurst Club played a pair from Midhurst in an extremely high class match in which either could have won as the score crept upward with serve. In the end it seemed stamina won and the Fernhurst pair , Richard and Lauren Walker took the scintillating match 7-5 against Rory Nursten and Karen Walker from Midhurst Tennis CLub to a standing ovation.
The finals were the culmination of an afternoon of matches, in which four groups of four couples from Fernhurst, Haslemere and Midhurst clubs all played each other. The highest scorers from each group went into closely fought semi finals and then finals.
The Walkers were eventually presented with the Richard and Ruth Paine Shield. Congratulations to them on a great win!
The social side of the day followed the tennis with a barbecue and the bar open allowing those who had finished playing to sit and relax in the early evening sunshine.
The organisers were delighted not only at the quantity of players who wanted to play but also by the quality of the play .
The Club, which is in its first year, is playing Mixed, Men's and Ladies Doubles in the East Hants League, which includes Midhurst as well as villages such as Graffham, Liphook, Headley, Buriton, Ropley, Cheriton and Liss. There is also a singles ladder within the club which the younger members will probably dominate by the end of the season!
Why not consider joining the club? Or, if you are already a member and have not started playing in the roll ups and friendly matches, please come along and get to know the other members.