Sun, May 30, 2021 5:41 PM

Tennis juniors shade Nelson counterparts

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Peter Jones

Marlborough’s leading junior tennis players won a tight contest to retain the Gardiner Trophy in Nelson last weekend.

Twenty-eight of the region’s top juniors took on Nelson in the annual fixture, which was won by Marlborough 29-27.

With the 2020 event having been abandoned due to Covid, Marlborough went in with a strong record to protect, being the current trophy holders since 2018.

The Gardiner Trophy is played over four age groups - 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s.

Players competed in doubles, then singles followed by mixed doubles matches, the combined score used to determine the overall winner.

In the 16s age group, won 5-3 by Nelson, Ella Sowman underlined her class with an unbeaten day, teaming up with Joseph Sandford-Jury to take out a top mixed doubles clash.

After a poor start in the 14s doubles matches the Marlborough team came back strongly display in the singles, where Lilly Walkenhorst and Elizabeth Bowron picked up wins. Jimmy Rumble played hard all day, producing an unbeaten three-win record to help Marlborough take out this division 9-7.

Nelson claimed an 11-5 win in the 12s, helped by their very strong girls group. Marlborough’s Max Sowman came through the day unbeaten, recording three wins.

The 10s made the difference for Marlborough with all players having at least one win. Sadie Eradus and Mia Harris came through the day unbeaten, helping their group to a 12-4 win. A number of these players representing Marlborough for the first time which bodes well for the future.

Marlborough team

Joseph Sandford-Jury, William Poff, Dan Clarke, Cooper Johnson, Theo Sandford-Jury, Jimmy Rumble, Joshua Harris, Elijah O'Donnell, Oli Clarke, Max Sowman, Charlie Clarke, Hunter Wong, Hudson Johnson, Joseph Stallard, Ella Sowman, Lauren Fisher, Lilly Walkenhorst, Jemimah O'Donnell, Ana Eradus, Elizabeth Bowron, Isobel O'Brien, Maisie Cornelius, Josephine Walkenhorst, Pippa Sowman, Harriet Cornelius, Mia Harris, Sadie Eradus, Penny Soper.

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