Wheeler nets opening win in dramatic finals day (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Wheeler nets opening win in dramatic finals day

12:36pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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Braintree Tennis Club held its Junior Cup Finals, supported by an enthusiastic crowd of club members, parents and friends.

Angela Wheeler claimed the first victory of the day in a keen contest with Charlotte Deans, in the under-14 girls’ singles.

Some particularly fine tennis was played by Oliver Geddes-Smith and George Shorten in the boys’ under-14 singles.

Shorten was the eventual winner, 6-4, 6-4, in a reverse of last month’s Halstead and District League final played on the Essex Golf and Country Club indoor courts.

Both players were invited to participate in the Road to Wimbledon regional finals at Redbridge.

Thirteen-year-old Geddes-Smith returned to court for the under-18 boys’ singles final against reigning champion, Oliver Monro.

Monro’s experience prevailed, giving him a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

The day was rounded off with a closely-fought contest between Lydia Seleska and Louise Ball.

At one set each, the match was decided by a championship tie break, with Seleska holding her nerve to retain the under-18 girls’ singles trophy.

Braintree’s junior teams have been busy in league action.

The under-18’s team of Oliver Monro, Louise Ball, Alec Rose, Lydia Seleska and Jamie Eaton are yet to drop a set in the Halstead and District League, with just one match remaining in the season.

Having posted 6-0 wins over Wickham Bishops and Lavenham, Braintree will host Wickham Bishops later this month, looking to secure the summer league title.

Meanwhile, in the 18 and under Chelmsford League, Braintree’s team of Monro, Rose, Eaton and Oliver and Sam Geddes-Smith have won four and drawn one of their five matches so far this season.

The team started the season with an 8-0 walkover against the Grove and, despite being held to a 4-4 draw with Brentwood Lawn, have won their last three matches 5-3 against Great Baddow, Danbury and Wickham Bishops.

However, Braintree face some tough challenges against Billericay, Cranston Park and Gidea Park in the coming weeks.

The same team also entered the Aegon Team tennis competition.

Despite a 4-2 win over Chingford, they failed to progress after suffering a 6-0 defeat to a strong Woodford Wells side.

Braintree’s young under-16s team of George Shorten, James Hiscox, Jamie Doran, Evan Griffiths, Sam Geddes-Smith and Sam Lone gained a creditable 5-3 victory over Blackmore.

They also drew 4-4 against Brentwood and lost to strong Gidea Park, Danbury and Billericay teams.

They have three Chelmsford League matches remaining.

Braintree are hosting an open junior singles and doubles tournaments on July 11 and 12, at their Clockhouse Way courts.

For details of these events and the summer school – which is designed to meet the needs of beginners and improvers aged between six and 16 – visit www.braintreeltc.co.uk

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