British Clay Court 2012 - Results
"Wind changes the size of the court. Use more spin to control the ball, lower the toss on serve and test your shots by warming up on both sides of the net. If you have a strong wind at your back, go the net as often as you can as passing shots will be slower and lobs fall short. Remember, conditions are the same for you and your opponent but act as if you enjoy them, you can drive your opponent crazy by refusing to let the conditions bother you."
Players would have been advised to consider these words of wisdom from Rod Laver during the 2012 British Clay Court Championships held at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth. The whole week turned out to be a challenge for organisers and players alike with weather (sun, wind, rain and temperatures) as variable as the surfaces played on (clay, indoor carpet, artificial grass, tarmac and acrylic).
However, finals day was completed on the preferred clay courts and to schedule. Fine weather prevailed, albeit with a blustery wind, all matches were very competitive with some surprise results.
Congratulations go out to the following members.
MS40 Winner: Sebastian Jackson
MS45 Winner: Matthew Coombes
MD45 Winners: Graham Neale and Chris Hearn
MS50 Winner: Chris Hearn; Finalist: Vincent Gray
WD50 Finalist: Hazel Lindfield
MS55 Winner: Paul French
WS55 Winner: Patricia Wire
MD55 Winners: Paul French and Jeremy Trafford; Finalists: Chris Hill and Tony King
WD55 Winner: Patricia Wire
MS60 Winner: Niall Sweeney
WS60 Finalist: Pauline Fisher
MD60 Winner: Niall Sweeney; Finalists: Boyd Brackstone and Robert Whitehead
WD60 Winners: Pauline Fisher and Shirley Fox
WS65 Winner: Jennifer Waggott
MD65 Winners: Keith Bland and Derek Bradshaw
MS70 Finalist: Henk Nijeboer
WS70 Finalist: Felicity Thomas
MD70 Winners: Roger Ambrose and Clive Hutchings; Finalists: Henk Nijeboer and Julian Tatum
WD70 Winners: Felicity Thomas and Ruth Weston
MD75 Winner: Tony McBride; Finalist: Robert Milner
MD80 Winners: Paul Drane and John Draper; Finalist: Tom Eastop
MS85 Winner: Gerald Clarke