Gosden is big winner at Fishbourne tennis finals

A closely-fought men’s singles final between two of Fishbourne Tennis Club’s most competitive players proved a highlight of a successful finals day at the club in Blackboy Lane.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Sep 2015, 09:00 BST

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Gladys Ray presents some of the trophies at Fishbourne TCGladys Ray presents some of the trophies at Fishbourne TC
Gladys Ray presents some of the trophies at Fishbourne TC

After losing the first set to Tom Craddock 6-4, Chris Gosden overcame early nerves and fought back to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. The match lasted almost two hours and kept the large crowd enthralled.

It was a big day for Gosden, 34, from Selsey – he went on to win the men’s doubles final with his partner Phil Tite in an equally closely-fought battle with previous FTC champions Bill Cove and Andre Rogers.

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The action was just as fast-paced among the ladies, with another new FTC champion, Kate Gurl, being crowned after taking the ladies’ singles title.

In a close encounter notable for its punishing rallies, Ben Jameson and Callum Budd fought for the junior trophy with the sort of tennis that has given them an unbeaten record in the under-12s Aegon Team Tennis League.

Always the biggest day of Fishbourne Tennis Club’s year, the championships for 2015 were held in honour of one of the club’s most popular and longest-playing members, Ronnie Ray, who died earlier this year aged 95.

Trophy presentations were made by his widow, Gladys, who also presented the club with a cheque for £1,000 left to the club in Ronnie Ray’s will.

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Results, Fishbourne Tennis Club Ronnie Ray Championships 2015: Men’s singles: Chris Gosden def Tom Craddock 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Ladies’ singles: Kate Gurl def Nikki Holden 6-4, 6-4; Junior boys’ singles: Ben Jameson def Callum Budd 6-4, 6-4; Men’s doubles: Chris Gosden and Phil Tite def Bill Cove and Andre Rogers 6-3, 7-5; Ladies’ doubles: Katy Bracher and Sue Lord def Gilly Perrin and Priscilla Pendle 6-1, 6-1; Mixed doubles: Trevor and Katy Bracher def Sue and David Lord 6-1, 6-4.

Arundel Tennis Club’s men’s and ladies teams achieved promotion at the end of a successful season in the Sussex Summer Tennis Doubles competition. The men were unbeaten and dropped only two points in finishing top of their division. The ladies, in a close-fought competition, finished runners-up with three wins, two draws and only one defeat.

Ladies’ captain Cherry Williams said the club weres very keen to welcome new members of all ages and abilities to come and play at the club. Details at www.arundeltennis.co.uk

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