The community atmosphere and team spirit generated by Kemsing LTC members was very much in evidence recently when a large crowd turned out to support the players competing in the club’s 2022 finals day.
Although spectators were able to enjoy the sunshine, the heat of the day was particularly energy sapping for the players and especially tough on those who had to play in more than one final. But this did not stop them providing a great spectacle of entertaining tennis.
First on court during the morning session were Howard Cloke and Paul Youden playing in the Mens Super-Vets singles for the largest trophy on offer. Cloke won the day 6-0, 6-2.
On the court next door, the Mens Vets Singles was won by Ty Stalberg who beat Club Chairman Michael Elders 6-4, 6-4 in a close match.
Anita Van Hensbergen and Holly Miles then faced each other for the Ladies Singles title and fought a thrilling three set match that lasted well over two hours, during which even the umpire had to take a break.
Van Hensbergen took the first set 6-2, with Miles fighting back to take the second set 6-4. The third set swung in favour of one player, then the other, and with her opponent visibly tiring, Miles looked to have gained the upper hand.
Van Hensburgen dug in and found some reserves of energy to win the vital points enabling her to seal the final set 7-5 to take the title.
While spectators enjoyed a BBQ lunch, Michael Elders took to the court his second final of day and the first of the afternoon session. He partnered Matt Bance against club coach Steve Steffens and Dan Redshaw in the Men’s doubles with the latter pair emerging as 7-5, 7-5 victors after two close sets.
It was straight back on court for Bance and Steffens who then faced each other again in the Mens Singles final. Steffens gained the upper hand and became champion with a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline.
Not long after her epic singles final, Holly Miles was back in action, this time with partner Julie Heyworth in the Ladies doubles. Their opponents Jane Ladbury and Sue Glass proved too strong and they lifted the trophy with a 6-1, 7-5 victory.
After missing out on two trophies earlier in the day, it was third time lucky for Matt Bance when, together with Jane Ladbury, won the mixed doubles against siblings Howard Cloke and Anita Van Hensbergen 6-3, 6-1. The final match was the Men’s Vets doubles where, in an exciting finish to the day, Richard Newsom and Ivan Reffel beat Matt Day and Paul Louden 6-4, 7-6.
Kemsing LTC is a friendly village club with four floodlit courts surrounded by beautiful countryside. The club invites anyone who would like to consider becoming a member to come and play at a club session to see the facilities and to chat to other members.
Kemsing offers both team and club play, plus coaching for those who want to brush up on their skills, along with social events and tournaments.
For more information, contact Membership Secretary Ian Head by email at ian@smiles.me.uk or go to the club website at kemsingltc.com.
