Tennis: Hat Trick for Maria & The battle of young stars (Contributed)

MARIA Lawton completed a stunning hat trick by winning all of her three finals at Thame Tennis Club?s Finals Day recently (Sept 2009.

In going one better than last year and starting in the Mixed Doubles, Maria partnered Mark Wilkins to a 6-2 7-5 victory over the experienced pairing of Ian Catchpole and Dawn Munro.

In the Ladies Doubles, Maria again partnered Jo Kelly and in a very close three set match, they retained their title by overcoming last year?s runners-up Fiona Pidgeon and Clare Carder 6-2 5-7 6-1.

To complete her triumph and again retain her title, Maria then met Fiona in the Ladies Singles final and after some pulsating tennis and another three sets, finally succeeded in winning 3-6 6-3 6-2.

In the Men?s competitions, last year?s Men?s Doubles champions Richard Bradley and Neil Morgan successfully retained their title by defeating Jeremy Carder and Steve Nannery in another closely fought three set match 7-5 6-7 6-3.

This year?s Men?s Singles final saw the appearance of one of the youngest finalists for many years, Joel Morris, who is one of the Club?s rising stars.

Unfortunately for Joel though, he came up against Tom Moore (pictured left) who himself had recently been one of the Club?s youngest ever finalists (and champion) but despite their young ages, combined to put on one of the Club?s most exhilarating ever Men?s finals.

Both players were hitting the ball with immense power and accuracy and whilst Tom won the first set 6-4, Joel fought back to win the second set 6-4. Eventually, Tom?s experience saw him through and he won the third set 6-1 to claim the Men?s Singles
Championship that he?d last won in 2005.

For more information about the Club, go to www.thametennisclub.org.uk.

PHOTO: Tom Moore(left) and Joel Morris