Opponents are not a Patch on star Alice

Jun 15 2012 By Greg Burns

ALICE Patch led the roll of honour for south Bucks players at the Chesham Bois Junior Tournament.

Competing in the girls 16 and under class, the Great Missenden club member was far too strong for her Surrey opponent Hannah Ferrett, her consistent hitting carrying her to the title for the loss of just two games (6-0, 6-2).

But there was to be disappointment for two more of south Bucks budding young stars in other finals.

Indu Ragunather from Amersham fell at the final hurdle, beaten in straight sets by her Yorkshire opponent Chloe Chawner. The first set was desperately close, but Chawner took it on the tie break 7-6 before pulling away to take the second 6-1.

Tor Pisani from Chesham was involved in one of the tightest scraps of the day, taking the first set 7-5 against Alice Taylor.

However, her Cambridge opponent fought back to grab the second set 6-4 and send the match into a first to 10 tie-break decider.

Pisani had dominated points at the net throughout, but her opponent’s speed and court coverage proved decisive as she raced to a 10-3 success.

The boys’ 18 and under final was an all-Bucks affair, pitching Bisham Abbey’s Vlad Onita up against Halton’s Jack Mordey.

The hard-hitting duel was the best supported match of the day with Onita emerging a comfortable winner in the end 6-2, 6-1

The tournament last week saw the launch of a new LTA FAIRPLAY (ENJOYRESPECT) initiative whereby the highest standards of conduct, courtesy and respect for others are encouraged and officially recognised.

Although this is something new for the LTA, the Chesham Bois Junior Open Tournament has for many years awarded trophies for sportsmanship which were this year presented to Hannah Ferrett (Surrey) and Frazer Ashman (Berkshire).