Seaton Tennis Club had a new winner in its annual tournament this year as Iain Horlock held off a fierce comeback from Kevin Davis to win a pulsating Men's Singles Final on Sunday, September 27th.

Despite joining the club just six months earlier after a 10-year break from tennis, Iain had stormed through the early rounds, combining phenomenal reach with an ice-cool temperament.

But he faced a formidable opponent in Kevin Davis, his own coach. After blowing three break points in the final game of the first set, Iain kept his cool to win the tiebreak. Kevin took his game up a notch with a devastating display of hitting to take the second set 6-1. But in a thrilling finale, Iain edged ahead in the championship tiebreak and held on to take it 10-7.

The Ladies' Singles Final produced similar drama, as club stalwarts Jo Little and Jen Rose battled it out for the coveted title. Jo produced an impressive display of power hitting to take the first set 6-2, before Jen stormed back to win the second 6-2. In a battle of Jo's power against Jen's guile, Jo finally edged ahead to win the deciding championship tiebreak.

There was little rest for either Iain, Kevin or Jen, as all three were back on court 10 minutes later for the men's and ladies' doubles. Iain teamed up with Peter Moroz to take on Kevin and James Turton for a high-quality men's doubles. But this time Kevin turned the tables on Iain, racing with James to a commanding 6-2 first set. While Iain and Peter briefly rallied in the second, Kevin and James were not to be denied as they ran out 6-2, 6-3 winners.

In the Ladies' Doubles, Jen teamed up with club captain Julie Hopkinson against Carol Hurst and Belinda Bawden.

With an impressive tactical approach and consistent hitting Carol and Belinda established an early lead before closing out the first set 6-3. But in a tense and hard-fought second set, Jen and Julie clawed their way back to win 6-4. Having regained the momentum, there was no stopping them as they edged ahead in the championship tiebreak and never looked back.

There was just time for a banana and a change of shirt before Kevin and Jen were both back on court for their third final of the day – the Mixed Doubles. This time Kevin teamed up with Susan Green, while Jen partnered with husband Chris Rose. Despite trailing 5-4 in the first set, Kevin and Susan rallied to take it 7-5, before closing out the second set 6-2.

This year's tournament – delayed from its usual summer slot due to Covid-19 – had more than 50 entries, who battled out a condensed series of rounds from late August to late September.

Like most sports, the club has faced its challenges this year, but is now thriving as many new members have joined to take advantage of the relative safety of outdoor and socially-distanced tennis.

The club has restarted its popular Rusty Racquets sessions on Saturday afternoons for those new or returning to the game, and a full autumn coaching programme for both juniors and adults is in place under returning head coach Dave Taylor.

And with the remaining three of its six courts being resurfaced from late October, the club will continue to boast some of the best facilities in the region.

For more information google Seaton Tennis Club or visit the Seaton Tennis Club website.

Ladies' Singles: Jo Little

Ladies' Doubles: Julie Hopkinson & Jen Rose