Tennis juniors show prowess

Marlborough’s tennis courts were a hive of activity over the weekend as 100 players competed in the New World junior tournament.

Players from around the country mixed with local competitors on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Two hundred and forty matches were played over the three days, the action ending at 3pm on Sunday.

Kobe Hart returns on the forehand.

On Friday the doubles titles were contested.

In the 10 boys’ section the Marlborough pair of Charlie Clark and Kobe Hart were unbeaten, with Flynn Weaver and Hunter Wong winning the consolation final.

The Marlborough pair of Oliver Clarke and Josh Harris took out the top seeds in the 12 boys’ semi-finals and beat Connor Edmonds and Elijah O’Donnell in a tense and thrilling final 6-4, 2-6, 10-6. Cooper Johnson and Ryo Kimura claimed third place.

The 14 boys’ section was also won by a Marlborough pair, Dan Clarke and Theo Sandford-Jury winning a thrilling final 3-6, 6-4, 10-7.

In the 16 and +18 boys’ section, Oscar and Felix Parkinson made it a clean sweep for Marlborough.

Ella Sowman indicates the ball is out during her singles final.

Ana Eradus and Poppy Parkinson were ahead early in the 10 + 12 girls’ final but eventually lost to the Christchurch-based duo of Marija Filipovic and Alyssa Greenland.

The combined grade for over 14 girls provided another tense final, local Ella Sowman combining with Eden Carter from Nelson to beat Lily Parkinson and Poppy Eradus 6-1, 2-6, 11-9.

In the singles competition, tight matches were often the order of the day.

In the 8 and under boys’ section Nelson’s Max North came out on top, completing the weekend with five wins. Four local players also played their first tournament – Aidin Su, Ben Cameron, Henry Cameron and Lincoln Hantz.

There was a 15-strong field in the 10 and under boys’ division, won by Jake Karathra from Christchurch. Local player Max Sowman finished third while Kobe Hart won three of his four singles.

The 10 and under girls saw local Mia Harris collect the most points during the round robin games and with Sadie Eradus as runner up.

Eighteen players contested the 12 and under boys’ grade won by Louis De Lautour from Christchurch. Locals Josh Harris and Leon Marusaki finished fifth and seventh respectively.

The 12 and under girls’ final was won by Marija Filipovic, but Jemimah O’Donnell showed grit to push her higher-ranked opponent to a third set super tie break.

In division one of the 14+ girls’ section three players contested a round robin, which was won by Aucklander Frankie Wingate who beat top local Ella Sowman in a tight tussle.

In division two Christchurch-based Jarrah Prentice won the final in a super tie break over Aucklander Freya Wingate. Locals Elizabeth Bowron and Lauren Fisher also recorded wins in this division.

Top seed Joseph Sandford-Jury won the division one 14+ boys’ section, coming from a set down in the final to take the title in a super tie 3rd set 10-8. Dan Fraser also performed well to come in at fourth place.