The weather was cool and dull when play began at 10 o'clock with the Men's Singles which was a repeat of last year's match between Simon Brenchley and the reigning champion Chris Wise. Simon started nervously, unable to make the most of his big serve, normally his most potent weapon, and Chris, repeatedly hitting deep returns and rarely making an unforced error, quickly started to dominate and soon secured the first set 6-0.

Things improved for Simon in the second set, but he conceded an early break and it looked bleak for him at 4-2 down. However, he lifted his game for a while to even the score at 5-all and a third set was starting to look possible. Chris remained cool, though, and the consistency of shot which marked his game wore his opponent down, Chris taking the set 7-5 and with it the title for the fourth year running.

The second event was the Ladies' Doubles with the reigning champions Margaret Williams and Celia Riddlesworth taking on the 1998 winners Joan Reynolds and Laureen Lawrence. The first set went quickly to Margaret and Celia with Joan and Laureen unable to cope with the lobs and drop volleys served up by their opponents.

The second set looked to be going the same way but gradually Joan's dominance at the net and the power of her overheads started to stem the tide and eventually she and Laureen inched ahead and took the second set 6-4. The final set was marked by long rallies between Margaret and Laureen interspersed by cracking overheads and drive volleys by Joan and delicate drop shots and lob volleys from Celia.

The spectators settled down for a lengthy final set as the champions had battled for nearly three hours last year for their title and were not prepared to concede it easily, but eventually Joan and Laureen broke serve and held on to win it 7-5.

Next was the Men's Doubles between Simon Brenchley and Martin Ball, the holders, and Chris Wise and Derek Wheeler.

With the weather improving and the temperature rising, Simon and Martin were unable to play the flawless power tennis which had marked their 1999 triumph and Chris and Derek were always ahead in the match which they won 6-3 6-2.

The Ladies' Singles was next with reigning champion Sue Hester playing Gill Smith who was not relishing the thought of playing someone who had not conceded a game in her 1999 final.

The pattern was quickly established with Sue returning everything deep and at medium pace and hardly making an error. Even though Gill was doing her best to play an attacking game and hitting some powerful drives and visiting the net at every opportunity, the errors came from Gill and the set quickly slipped away 6-0.

The second followed a similar pattern and although Gill came close to winning several games, Sue's coverage of the court and ability to get everything back even when at full stretch meant that she was able to yet again take the title 6-0 6-0. Another remarkable result from a champion who has yet to concede a game in two successive finals.

The last event was the Mixed Doubles with Simon Brenchley taking the court for the third time in the day, this time with Moira Macbeth against the 1998 champions Derek Wheeler and Margaret Williams. As in some more prestigious tournaments, this event is always played in great spirit and this match was no exception. Derek and Margaret surged ahead in the first set taking it 6-1 but Simon and Moira fought back in the second, winning it 6-4 to even the score.

The final set looked to be going the way of Simon and Moira but a tactical talk between their opponents seemed to be what turned the tide. We shall probably never know what Margaret said to Derek but it obviously worked as they broke away at 5-all to take the next two games and the set 7-5.

So not a good day for Simon, runner up in all three of his finals, but there was a chance to drown sorrows or to celebrate victory at the evening prize giving party in the St.Sebastians clubhouse. Paddy Lee, wife of club president Geoff, presented trophies to the winners and runners up plus two annual awards, "Most Improved Player" to Ravinder Norman and "For Services to the Club" to Mike Smith.

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