Hearne and Mayman battle it out in absorbing clash (From Western Telegraph)

Hearne and Mayman battle it out in absorbing clash

The Pembrokeshire County Tennis Tournament, sponsored for the 21st year by J. and G. Bland (Motors) Ltd, held its final day on Saturday July 21st. A full day's tennis saw new champions in four of the five titles being played for.

The ladies singles saw Laura Davies from Carew, a former title holder, return to the scene after an absence of several years. Her match with Shirley James was an intriguing battle of Laura's fierce topspin strokes against Shirley's determined defence. The match fittingly went to three sets with Laura eventually winning 2:6, 6:2, 6:3.

In the ladies doubles Laura teamed up with her mother Diane Davies. In a very enjoyable match they beat Rose Phillips and Jane Allen 6:3, 6:4. After a very heavy start Rose and Jane settled down and justified their position as No.2 seeds.

The mixed doubles was played between Robbie Tweed and Lil Gully (another family pairing) and Steve Jarvis with his partner Sandra Rowlands. Unfortunately for Steve and Sandra they found Robbie in outstanding form and backed up by solid play from his mother Lil they were too strong on the day and won 6:2, 6:2.

In the mens singles Nigel Hearne had the opportunity to properly claim his right to the title. His opponent Neil Mayman however was determined not to make Nigel's task easy and although good friends off the court no quarter was asked for or given. A very entertaining match developed with both young men showing good ground strokes and deft touches. Nigels continued attacking policy eventually won the day and wore down Neils determination and he ran out the winner, 6:3, 6:4.

Without doubt the match of the day was the men's doubles final between defending champions Nigel Hearne and John McQuaker against No.2 seeds Robbie Tweed and Daniel Casey. All four players produced tennis of the highest quality with very hard hitting all round. It was no surprise that the match went to three sets with advantage passing from one pair to the other. It was 'veteran' John McQuaker who began to show signs of nerves and one vital missed smash in the third set proved to be the turning point. Robbie and Daniel steadied themselves to clinch the final set 8:6, and claim this first mens doubles title, 6:4, 4:6, 8:6.

Also played on Saturday was the final of the men's singles plate. This was contested by two young juniors from Haverfordwest, Nathan Young and Vincent Thorne.

The two youngsters entertained the spectators to a very mature game. Each player played to his limit and their sportsmanship was outstanding. After two extremely hard fought sets, Nathan held on to win, 7:6, 7:5. Pembrokeshire County Tennis Championships (sponsored by J. and G. Bland (Motors) Ltd) results are as follows:

Semi-Finals: Men's Singles: Nigel Hearne beat Gary Phillips, 6-1, 6-2; Neil Mayman beat Daniel Casey, 6-4, 6-2. Ladies Singles: Shirley James beat Elizabeth Moss, 6-2, 6-0, Laura Davies beat Sue Jones, 6-2, 6-1. Mens Doubles: Nigel Hearne/John McQuaker beat Dave Banner/ Brian Hearne, 6-3, 6-2; Daniel Casey/Rob Tweed beat Steve Jarvis/Neil Mayman, 6-1, 6-2. Ladies Doubles: Diane Davies/Laura Davies beat Brette Banner/Sue Jones, 6-1, 6-1; Jane Allen/Rose Phillips beat Eliz Moss/Ruth Moss, 6-3, 6-0. Mixed Doubles: Steve Jarvis/Sandra Rowlands beat John McQuaker/Sue Jones, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2; Rob Tweed/Lil Gully beat Peter John/Shirley James, 7-6, 6-2.

Finals: Men's Singles (T. Harold Morris Trophy): Nigel Hearne (No.1 seed) beat Neil Mayman (No.5 seed) 6-3, 6-4; Ladies Singles (Gulf Challenge Trophy): Laura Davies (No.2 seed) beat Shirley James (No.1 seed) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Men's Doubles (R. G. Noott Challenge Trophy): Daniel Casey/Rob Tweed (No.2 seeds) beat Nigel Hearne/John McQuaker (No.2 seeds) 6-4, 4-6, 8-6; Ladies Doubles (Roger Smith Challenge Trophy): Laura Davies/Diane Davies (No.1 seeds) beat Jane Allen/Rose Phillips (No.2 seeds) 6-3, 6-4. Mixed Doubles (Texaco Challenge Trophy): Rob Tweed/Lil Gully (No.1 seeds) beat Steve Jarvis/Sandra Rowlands (No.4 seeds) 6-2, 6-2. Final: Men's Singles (Plate), (Harcros Trophy): Nathan Greene beat Vincent Thorne 7-6, 7-5.