30 Apr 2006 - THE 21st WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

THE FINALS WERE HELD AT LEIGH TENNIS CLUB AND THE RESULTS FROM THE SIX MATCHES ARE AS FOLLOWS.

Well organised by our Tournament Secretary and his wife, John and Gill Tanner , I can report a very successful Finals Day. D.J.L.

LADIES DOUBLES -- Mandy White & Gail Webster won for the third year running, beating Jo Hancock & Stephanie Haddrell, also from Kent Elms, 6-2 6-4.
GENTLEMENS DOUBLES -- The holders of the cup Chris & Paul Gardiner of Leigh, got the better of the Rochford pairing Chris Nelson & Tim Collett 7-5 6-2 in an exciting mens doubles final.
MIXED DOUBLES -- With youth on his side Chris Gardiner stepped up again, this time with Lauren Duffield, to take the mixed title 6-4 3-6 6-3 from the Rayleigh husband and wife team of Steve & Dawn Higgins.
GENTLEMENS DOUBLES PLATE -- The plate specialist Jan Thorpe wins this event for the fourth time, the second year running with Jerry Hamilton, both from Kent Elms. The winning scores over their Rochford opponents, David Nelson and Richard Warner were 6-2 7-6.
LADIES DOUBLES PLATE -- A marathon match of three hours saw the Westcliff Hard pairing of Nicky Dickens & Gaye Caulkett win over the young Leigh couple, Holly White & Emily Hunter 6-3 5-7 7-6.
MIXED DOUBLES PLATE -- Another long match in the then cold evening air, saw Leigh's Paul Gutteridge & Lisa Gordon win 6-3 7-6 over Martin Needs and Debby Lincoln from Kent Elms 6-3 7-6.

A lovely sunny afternoon with over 100 supporters in attendance. They were all well fed with a fine spread put on by Anne Wright, with the help of Malcolm the barbecue King.