Kenilworth Tennis Squash and Croquet Club

A collection of photos from the 2011 season

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A collection of photos from the 2010 season

Click here, or on the thumbnail photo above, to go to this picture gallery .

Kenilworth Tennis Club completed its Handicap Singles and Open Doubles Tournaments on Saturday 22nd  September in glorious weather, with a high standard of play all round.

The Centurions Doubles tournament sees mixed couples with a combined age of 100 or more competing for a trophy presented by the late Hedley and Joan Wood, very popular Life Members of the Club. The final was between Steve Proctor and Caroline Rhodes against Alan Norman and Sarah Sheldrick. The match started with games being traded evenly, until Proctor and Rhodes broke service at 4-3, going on to win 6-3. The second set was dominated by Proctor and Rhodes, but at 5-1 down Norman and Sheldrick saved three match points and gained a few more games before eventually succumbing 6-3, 6-3.

The Mens Doubles was contested between James Roe and James Cooper and Tom Holmes and Charlie Griffin. Youngsters Holmes and Griffin convincingly dominated the first set, with some strong serving and groundstrokes. The second set was turned around by Roe and Cooper, to set up a thrilling final set. The spectators were treated to some fast and skilful net play, with the experience of the older heads eventually showing to win 2-6, 6-2, 8-6.

Kay Gebbels and Caroline Rhodes and Kate Perkins and Melanie Jennings contested the Ladies Doubles. The first set was very close, with some long quality baseline rallying, and Perkins and Jennings were down 2-5, before winning 7-5. The second set showed the dominance and consistency of Perkins and Jennings who won 7-5, 6-1.

The Handicap Singles was between Ashley Duncan and Charlie Griffin. Having performed well to reach his first Club final, Duncan took some time to settle, and Griffin's quality showed, building a good early lead with steady play to win eventually11-3. As so often with young players now, there were plenty of heavy topspin forehands and double-handed backhand returns.

Caroline Rhodes played her third match of a long afternoon in the Mixed Doubles, partnering Tom Holmes against Kate Perkins and James Roe. The first two sets were as close as the scores suggested, with each side having their moments of both good baseline and net play, forcing a final set.

The lights were needed for the last half hour, and after opening up a 4-0 lead, Roe and Perkins could not be caught up. James Roe thus won his second final of the day 7-5, 6-7(7-2), 6-4.

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There were close battles as Kenilworth Tennis Club in Crackley Lane held the Finals of its Open Singles and Handicap Doubles Tournaments.

The Ladies Doubles Handicap was between Alison Ducker/Caroline Rhodes and Belinda Simmons/Patsy Fuller. The first final to start on the day was well fought, with Alison and Caroline deserved winners 6-2, 6-4.

Mike Crisp and teenager Tom Holmes contested the Mens Singles event. Tom took an early break in the first set, but Mike’s experience showed as he fought back. It could easily have gone either way  in a close, hard hitting fast paced match, but Mike was the eventual winner at 7-5; 6-4.

The Ladies Singles was between the vastly experienced Melanie Jennings and another teenager, Kate Ivy. New member Kate competed valiantly, but Melanie was, as ever, very strong, controlling the match throughout and winning 6-0, 6-0.

The Mens Handicap Doubles was between Simon Inchley/ Gordon Douglas and Ian/ Richard Simmons. An entertaining match, with father/ son passion and commitment from the Simmons, but the match was eventually won by Simon and Gordon 6-4, 6-3.

Teenagers Kate Ivy and Tom Holmes returned to the courts in a clash of the generations as they played "veterans" Dave Neal/ Caroline Rhodes, in the Mixed doubles handicap event. This three set match was thoroughly entertaining and very well contested, with Dave and Caroline eventually winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

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A photo gallery from the start of the tennis season, 2009, and the customary American Tournament. This is a handicap mixed doubles event, with partners changing depending on results. It is always a "fun afternoon" and this year was no exception.

The high spot was a presentation to Mike Ducker and Peter Wilson, respectively retiring Chairman and Secretary of the Tennis Section, of Navy blue club polo shirts bearing the Club logo and their initials.

There was also a fantastic cake, decorated by Club member Kate Perkins, with "figures" of both men on as well as tennis balls and rackets. The figure of Mike even sported his customary knee support.

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A photo gallery from Captain's Day on October 12th, when the weather was so good that everyone ended up sitting outside at lunch.

Thanks to Caroline Rhodes for the photos.

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The Kenilworth Tennis Club's Championships at Crackley Lane were concluded in brilliant sunshine and with some close matches.

In the Ladies Doubles, Melanie Jennings and Kate Perkins beat Caroline Rhodes and Kay Gebbels in two entertaining sets.

Steve Shipley beat Steve Proctor in a particularly athletic match to win the Mixed Handicap Singles.

In the Centurions competition (for couples with a combined age of 100 or more), Kay Gebbels and Dave Neal beat Sheila Skinner and James Roe in two sets.

In the Mixed Doubles final, Melanie Jennings and Paul Jennings beat Kay Gebbels and Steve Shipley while the Mixed Doubles Plate (a new innovation) was won by Pat Hawthorn and Richard Hawthorn who beat Anne Douglas and Alistair Kirkwood.

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The rain on Saturday 23rd June interrupted, but did not stop, the tennis finals at Crackley Lane, and some good play was seen.

In the Mens Open Singles, Warwick University history student Andrew Harman beat Steve Shipley 6-2; 7-6 in a match dominated by hard serving and some ferocious forehand drives from Andrew in particular. Steve fought back in the second set to get the tie-break, but, despite his considerable athleticism, could not overcome the barrage.

In the Ladies Open Singles, Melanie Jennings won fairly straightforwardly against Sarah Money, 6-1; 6-2. Melanie is a strong and experienced match player and carried too many guns, no matter how fast Sarah ran around the court.

The Ladies Handicap Doubles also went 6-1; 6-2 as Caroline Rhodes and Carolyn Lindsay beat Mel Twigger and Helen Hunter in a match made very interesting by the handicap difference. Caroline and Carolyn had to play very consistently in a situation where they could simply not afford a wayward shot.

Full results were: Mens singles, Andrew Harman beat Steve Shipley: 6-2 7-6; Ladies singles, Mel Jennings beat Sarah Money: 6-1 6-2; Mens Handicap Doubles, Stan Barker & Andrew Harman (owe 50) beat Steve Shipley & Richard Evans (owe 50): 6-4 5-6 7-5; Ladies Handicap Doubles, Carolyn Lindsay & Caroline Rhodes (owe 40) beat Mel Twigger & Helen Hunter (receive 15) : 6-1 6-2; Mixed Doubles Handicap, Jeff and Carolyn Lindsay are through to the finals against Helen Cochrane and Steve Proctor, playing on 5th July. They beat Hannah Sharman and Tom Holmes in the semi 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday.

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Pictures from the Summer Ball, held at the Club on 30th June 2007.

Thanks to Richard Levitt for the photos.

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A "great welcome among friends" was the description used by Peter Wilson, Tennis Secretary at the KLT&SC, when he led a group of members to Eppstein, Kenilworth's twin town in the Taunus hills, near Frankfurt am Main.

2007 marks the 50th anniversary of Tennis Club Eppstein, which has 8 shale courts, and a pleasant Clubhouse. The visitors took part in a full programme of tennis, celebrations of the anniversary and visits to local places of interest in an extremely attractive area.

The Saturday was marked by tournament. At the formal ceremony on the Sunday, the Burgermeister of Eppstein, Herr Ralf Wolter, and other eminent visitors, offered congratulations. Peter Wilson presented a photograph of the Crackley Lane Club to Dr Gerhard Marquordt, President of Tennis Club Eppstein. There followed some exhibition matches.

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Here are the results from the Tennis Finals, held at Crackley Lane on Saturday 23rd September.

• Mixed Handicap Singles - Tom Holmes beat Steve Shipley 6-1, 6-5
• Men's Doubles - James Roe and James Cooper beat Paul Jennings and Bill Devitt 6-7, 6-4, 6-1
• Centurions Mixed Doubles - Ted Frith and Kay Gebbels beat Kate Perkins and Peter Dennis 6-3, 6-4
• Mixed Doubles - Paul & Melanie Jennings beat Lucy Austin and James Roe 6-3, 6-3
• Ladies' Doubles - Melanie Jennings and Kate Perkins beat Rosie Fuller and Caroline Rhodes 6-0, 7-5

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