Packed galleries and great drama ensued at the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta tennis competition as spectators witnessed three closed titles for local favourites Anne Woodward and Alistair Forbes and a brace apiece for Beth Scorer, Mike Wood, James Callard and Paul Tucker writes Tony Atkins.
With major sponsors’ Pete and Kate Ryder (Café Alf Resco) and Torquay-based Pro Direct sports playing their part, too, the 49th tennis event was a huge success.
James Callard won the men’s singles, beating Tim Grant 6-0, 6-1, and Oliver McGowan-Scanlon, also 6-0, 6-1, after a three-way play-off for the title.
But Callard was to miss out on a men’s brace of titles after he and Anthony Lyons were pipped for the doubles trophy by Steve Cairns and Paul Tucker after going down 7-5, 6-1.
There was an upset in the ladies’ event with top seeds Charlie Ramsdale and Julie Elliott, beaten in straights in the final to second seeds Beth Scorer and Anne Woodward 6-4, 7-5. Beth Scorer achieved a notable double after partnering Mike Wood to victory in the mixed decider against James Callard and Julia Elliott 7-5, 6-3.
Anne Woodward didn’t rest on her laurels and clinched another title after winning the ‘partners drawn’ event with Devon county veteran Alistair Forbes.
In the latter stages, the duo defeated David Parker and Rosie Clive-Smith 6-1, 6-1 and Stephen Yates and Irene Collins 6-3, 6-2 and final opponents Paul Tucker and Sue Manley 6-2, 6-4.
The 45 and over category saw the men’s singles won by Mike Wood, whose 6-3, 7-5 win over Grant Morrison was crucial in the group stage. Steve Cairns and Paul Tucker won the men’s doubles, beating Anthony Lyons and Colin Wilson 6-0, 6-3 in the final.
One of the best finals of the day at Coronation Park saw Karen Davis and Karen Watson hold their nerve in beating Liz Harris and Anne Woodward 6-4, 2-6, 10-7.
Regatta regular Sally Clarke rarely misses out and this year won the mixed doubles with Paul Tucker, following their final victory over Steve Cairns and Karen Davis 7-5, 6-2.
In the men’s over 60 singles, Alistair Forbes was always the player to beat and the Scottish-born left-hander beat Steve Jones 6-1, 6-0 in the final, Jones coming through after a titanic battle with Anthony Lyons 7-6, 3-6, 10-6.
Forbes linked up with Phil Clift to beat Jon Preston and Stephen Yates 6-0, 6-3 in the doubles final. v
But Alistair was to miss out on the treble, alongside his wife, Soo, when they were beaten in the mixed final by John Bretherton and Anne Woodward 6-3, 6-3.
A relative newcomer to tournament tennis, Soo played her part well.