Thrilling finals at Rhos tennis
NEW names will go up on the Rhos-on-Sea Lawn Tennis honours board after this year’s very competitive club competition.
In its 92nd year, the club witnessed five hard-fought finals.
The men’s final was the battle of the coaches as Craig Stock defeated Ryan Bedwell in a thriller 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Spectators enjoyed a great display of fierce forehands, slices and drop shots.
Although Bedwell deservedly won the first set, Stock’s experience and determination shone through as he broke his opponent’s serve in each of the next two to seal victory.
The ladies singles final was won by club coach Georgia Lansdowne, who beat new member Sue Cryer by two sets to love.
In the men’s doubles final, the agility and refined play of the younger Stock and Bedwell took the spoils 6-4, 6-4 against county players Robert Forde and Gordon Scott.
Two long-time Rhos and North Wales team members Pam Daley and Lorna Davey overcame Lansdowne and Beth Dickinson in the ladies’ doubles final.
It was far from plain sailing for the experienced pairing, but often after a long rally it was their precise positioning shots that gave them the advantage. The final winning score was 6-3, 6-3.
The last match of the day was a keenly fought mixed doubles where Bedwell and Lansdowne managed to pip Stock and Dickinson in a final deciding set 7-6, a tie break ending 12-10 to the champions.
Membership has flourished this year with tennis for all ages and abilities.
There are summer camps for youngsters this holiday along with group or individual coaching sessions all week catering for any standard.
For further information check the club notice board.
Following a succession of victories against other North Wales clubs, Rhos on Sea LTC narrowly lost last Sunday to top Cheshire outfit David Lloyd Cheadle in the national Aegon Tennis Championships.
The team, comprising captain and coach Ryan Bedwell, Lee McLaughlin, Robert Forde and Andy Brockley, had previously beaten Prestatyn, Colwyn Bay, Bangor and Craig-y-Don, thereby becoming North Wales regional champions.
Membership is booming at Rhos, boosted particularly by the great efforts of new coaches Bedwell and Stock.
The junior section is especially buoyant. Meanwhile, in the North Wales League, victory in this week’s final match will see Rhos’s first team promoted to the first division.