The Mixed Doubles Grafton v Wigmore rubber gets under way at Grafton
On Sunday 14 June, the two last ties in the league competition of the 2015 Millennium Cup were played out, the first to determine the second finalist club and the other for piqued pride.
Grafton hosted Wigmore with everything to play for and just three points separating them in the Points Standings.
With Telford Park assured of its place in the final (only a whitewash win by Grafton could displace them into second place), the battle was on for second and third places.
Grafton came through its tie with a convincing 6-3 win over Wigmore, displaying some excellent match performances, offering kind hospitality to the visitors in a great setting, and achieving the added bonus of securing the club’s fifth final showing in the history of the Millennium Cup.
On the very same day, Norbury Park were at home to Woodfield Grove and looking to garner as many points as possible to increase their tally from 12 and lift them into contention for the third spot. At the last, their 6-2 win was enough to confirm it with a two point margin ahead of Wigmore. [see separate report – to follow]
Kicking off at Grafton with an early 10am start, a confident junior boy, Wigmore’s Jatan Hunjan, defeated Ollie Cumming in two sets in the Boys Under 16s to put the visitors ahead, but this was soon to be eroded as host’s Julie Wilson battled over two hours to beat a very resilient Gill Mezey in a tough two-setter, 7-6 6-3, and take the Women’s Over 45 Singles.
The men’s open singles between the steadier Mike Young and Nick Eastwood put Grafton ahead, but they were pulled back to two rubbers apiece by Wigmore’s Paul Flatters, who proved too strong for John Maclean, despite the long games and lots of points in the Men’s Over 40 Singles!
Grafton surge ahead
In the second wave of matches, Grafton soared ahead scoring four more points as Liz Wickham played her solid, consistent game, despite a late fight back from Jenny George in the Ladies Singles, to score the win without dropping a set; and, in the Ladies Doubles, Maureen Kenny and Rosie Merriman held Wigmore to a two-set victory, 6-2 7-5, despite a great come back from Alex McAdam Clark and Sharon Gould in the second set.
Grafton’s men’s doubles pair, Will Ellison and Mike Bright, proved too strong for Mark Jackson and Peter Keeling, notching up another straight sets victory, while Lucy Witter and Jon Dalling had a very enjoyable Mixed Doubles match against Anne Boucnik and Fabio Dias, holding on throughout to win, 6-4 6-0.
Grafton’s Katie Diamond (left) with Wigmore’s Valeia Cepseses-Beltran
Wigmore pulled back a further point by winning the final rubber, the dead Girls 16 and Under Singles, in which Valeria Cepsedes-Beltran defeated Grafton’s Katie Diamond, cruising from the outset, and despite her ‘cute as a button’ exterior, showing a maturity beyond her 11 years to defeat the older Katie… ‘Go-Valeria!’ One to watch…..?
Final Points Standings
As a result, the Points Standings for 2015 of the league competition are concluded as follows:
- Telford Park – 24
- Grafton – 22
- Norbury Park – 18
- Wigmore – 16
- Woodfield Grove – 8
The final will therefore take place between Telford Park and Grafton at Grafton since their league tie was held at Telford in May.
Results
Grafton defeated Wigmore 6-3
(Grafton names first)
Women’s Singles: Liz Wickham d Jenny George 6-3 6-3; Men’s Singles: Mike Young d Nick Eastwood 6-2 6-1; Women’s Over 45 Singles: Julie Wilson d Gill Mezey 7-6 6-3; Men’s Over 40 Singles: Paul Flatters lost to John Maclean 6-0 6-0; Girls Under 16 Singles: Katie Diamond lost to Valeria Cepsedes-Beltran 6-0 6-1; Boys Under 16 Singles: Ollie Cumming lost to Jatan Hunjan 6-1 6-1; Women’s Doubles: Maureen Kenny & Rosie Merriman d Alex McAdam Clark and Sharon Goulds 6-2 7-5; Men’s Doubles: Will Ellison & Mike Bright Mark Jackson & Peter Keeling 6-2 6-1; Mixed Doubles: Lucy Witter & Jon Dalling d Anne Boucnik & Fabio Dias 6-4 6-0.