National crown for Streetly

By cphilpotts

Following Streetly's success last year in winning their second National Veterans Inter Club Men's over-60 final doubles, the club went one better at the David Lloyd indoor centre at Brierley Hill last weekend, when they won both the senior mixed and Men's 60 doubles titles

In the Senior mixed doubles, after beating favourites Leicester and then Hallamshire (Sheffield) in the semi-final, Streetly went on to play Purley, from Surrey, in the final.

The final was a hard fought match.

In the first round rubbers Geoff Cliff and Jane Medina won the opening match 6-3, 6 -0 with Will Rogers and Julia Denholm beating the Purley first pair 6-4, 6-4.

In the second round rubbers Purley fought back strongly to take both rubbers but Streetly came out on top as both pairs won a set to guarantee themselves victory.

In the Men's 60 doubles Streetly the reigning champions won the title for third consecutive year by beating Aylesbury 4-1.

In the first round singles matches Roy Halfpenny beat seasoned Great Britain international Norman Church 6-3, 7-5 and Derek Bradshaw convincingly beat the Aylesbury number two 6-2, 6-0.

Geoff Cliff and Will Rogers fought back from a set down to level the first round doubles at one set all only to lose the deciding championship tie break and with the score 2-1 to take the match into the final round of doubles.

However, both Streetly pairs won in straight sets to give them a convincing 4-1 victory.

The victories come at the end of what has been another great year for Streetly in reaching and winning two National Veterans finals.

The Streetly over-60 men's team will now go on to represent Great Britain in the 2009 European Club championships to be held next summer.

Streetly provides top quality tennis for players of all ages and abilities with excellent facilities and coaching throughout the winter.

The club has ten artificial grass courts, eight of which are floodlit.

Memberships remain for juniors and adults so anyone interested in joining the club should ring 0121 353 2814 or visit the Streetly club's website www.streetlytennisclub.co.uk.