NORFOLK TENNIS ACE BATTLES TO FINAL IN CALIFORNIA
Norwich Evening News
06 October 2009 12:27
Richard Bloomfield avenged last week’s loss to American Michael
Mclune as he reached the final of the $10,000 Futures event on the
hard courts in Laguna Niguel, California.
Bloomfield, seeded five, performed well throughout the week but the
Norwich man was left to rue missed chances as he fell to Ryan Harrison
in a gripping three set final.
It was the American Harrison who started better and a single break
of serve would be enough to claim the first set 6-4.
The British number seven recovered well to level the match at one
set-all with some typically big serving.
Bloomfield led 4-1 in the final set and held two more break points
at 15-40 on the un-seeded American’s serve, but Harrison fought back
to hold before breaking Bloomfield to bring the set back on serve.
Another slip up from the fifth seed at five all allowed Harrison to
break again and the American served out the match from 6-5 to win
his second Futures title of the year.
"It’s frustrating because I feel like I should’ve won all three
sets." said Bloomfield shortly after the match.
"I mean I’m playing better, but to be in control and lose is
disappointing."
After a troublesome back injury caused a lengthy lay off mid-way
through the season, Bloomfield is finding some form in America.
The former world number 176 reversed the quarter final loss to Mclune
last week with a 7-6, 7-6 win over the American in the semi-final in
Laguna Niguel.
A straight sets defeat of Armenian third seed Tigran Martirosyan
in the quarter-finals showed glimpses of Bloomfield’s class and the
Norfolk county team member will be aiming to pick up further ranking
points during his time in California.
The 2008/2009 season’s WinSum League Presentation of Awards was held
at EAT&SC, Lime Tree Road on Saturday, September 26. Over 40 players
received awards in the Mini Green, Boys’ and Girls’ Singles and Doubles
at the event hosted by organiser Diane Bush who has run the WinSu
wn Tennis Association’s WinSum Junior Tennis League is a box league
run between September and July and affords junior players aged 11 to
18 and under of all standards the opportunity to play tennis matches
locally in order to variously improve their game, their confidence,
their rating or just simply for the enjoyment of playing tennis. It is
the ideal starting point for beginners and those new to competitive
matches as well as children who attend regular Saturday squads but
don’t enter tournaments and the perfect arena for those who cannot
travel all round the country competing in LTA events. Recently a Mini
Green League was introduced for players aged 10 (born 2000 for the
2009/2010 season).
The 2008/2009 season saw a total of 60 boys and 25 girls competing
over four sessions of ten weeks each all vying for promotion within
the league and the coveted award of Top of the Top Box. This year’s
Top Box winners are Sarah Palmer from Wymondham and Myles Shearman
from Norwich. Prizes are also given for the most successful player
in each age group.
Mini Green Boys: 1 Matthew Cott, 2 Rory Bartram, 3 Laurie Ollerton. U11
Girls Yasmin Tahiri, boys Matthew Bowe and Jacob Harrison. U12
Girls Rosie Armes, boys Tom Boardman. U13 Girls Hannah Hodges and
Katie McKenna, boys Harry Seaton. U14 Girls Kayleigh Applegate, boys
Ryan Andrews. U15 Girls Bronte Goodwin, boys Josh Worton. U16 Girls
Sarah Palmer, boys Conor McQuistin U17: Boys Chris Hardwick. U18
Myles Shearman.
A can of balls was given to 12 players for good performances throughout
the season: Joy Andrews, Imogen Osborn, Daisy Lee, Georgina Brooks,
Blyth Few, Tom Mitchell, Max Shearman, Tom Hinks, Owain McQuistin,
Stewart Biggie, Alfie Shayes and Guy Odlum.
A doubles tournament was introduced three years’ ago and this is
proving popular. It’s a fantastic way for players both social and
county to keep their doubles game honed over the winter months. The
matches are played at the players’ convenience between October and
July. This year saw two groups of boys and one la g results.
Boys Group A: Winners Oliver Hindle and Adam Simmons, runners-up
Daniel Venn and Sam Tyson.
Boys Group B: Winners Jacob Harrison and Rory Steel, runners-up Isaac
and Jake Rolph.
Girls Group C: Winners Joy Andrew and Lorna Magrath, runners-up tied
between Georgie Brooks and Sarah Palmer and Mollie and Rosie Armes.
The 2009/2010 season started on September 26 with five series scheduled
to coincide with the new LTA quarterly ratings review. We welcome
new participants at any time and would particularly like to see more
girls playing.
Entry forms are available at most clubs. Alternatively, please
email Diane Bush [email protected] or visit the website: