Tennis Shropshire's Seniors Mixed County tournament delivers enjoyable weekend of quality tennis

Tennis Shropshire's Seniors Mixed County tournament delivered an enjoyable weekend of quality tennis.

The popular annual mixed doubles event, played on the indoor courts at The Shrewsbury Club, attracted good entry numbers in the three different age categories.

The over-35s competition saw county senior captains Simon Bird and Cheryl Evans team up to retain the Clark and Sons Trophy.

A huge effort by Karen Biddle and Mike Shrimplin saw them progress to the final for the first time, but the quality of the defending champions ensured they emerged as winners once again.

Karen and Mike had booked their place in the final after edging an exciting semi-final against Matt Humphries and Lynda Richards 10-8 in the Championship tiebreak.

In the over-50s age group, Eustace Johnson and Cecely Holliday reached the final with two wins to set up a meeting against holders Adam Davison and Jill Middleton.

Adam and Jill had battled through a close semi-final, eventually winning a Championship tiebreak 10-7 against Tennis Shropshire chair Fiona Jones and David Williams.

Eustace and Cecely went on to lift the Jean Steward Cup for the first time with an excellent display of power and touch in the final.

The over-60s final produced the longest Championship tiebreak of the weekend.

Holders Rob Rue and Cecely Holliday had three match points and then had to save one match point before finally overcoming the challenge of Louise Fisher, who won the event in 2018, and Mark Wilson, the vice-chair of Tennis Shropshire.

Having lost the first set 6-2, Louise and Mark changed their tactics to level the match by taking the second 6-2.

The deciding set provided huge entertainment for the crowd, with Rob and Cecely finally winning through 13-11 in a dramatic Championship tiebreak.

Liz Boyle, the event organiser, was the driving force behind the tournament once again being such a big success.

Liz thanked Keith Smith, the president of Tennis Shropshire, for presenting the trophies and medals.

Thanks were also extended to Sarah Downes and Fiona Jones for taking photographs throughout the weekend, and to Simon Haddleton for co-ordinating the draw.

The next event in the Shropshire tennis calendar is the senior county doubles between March 22-24, with online entry available.

Pictured: The over-35s winners, right, Cheryl Evans and Simon Bird, with runners-up Mike Shrimplin and Karen Biddle, and, centre, Tennis Shropshire president Keith Smith.

Over-50s winners Eustace Johnson and Cecely Holliday, left, with runners-up Jill Middleton and Adam Davison.

Over-60s winners Rob Rue and Cecely Holliday, left, with Tennis Shropshire president Keith Smith, and, right, runners-up Louise Fisher and Mark Wilson.