The South Wales Men’s over-50s team has won the National Inter County Tennis Championship.
After winning all five of their league matches without the loss of a single rubber, the five-man team then beat Kent in the final, played at Brierley Hill David Lloyd.
The team was: Alistair Alexander (from Cardiff, now based in Brighton), Simon Richards (from Dinas Powys, now based in London), Tim Hartland (Penarth Windsor TC), Steve Richards (Bridgend) and captain Mike Harpin (of Cowbridge TC and Ogmore by Sea).
Harpin won the opening singles against Colin Coombes, 6-1, 6-2. Alexander beat Kent’s number one, John Watton, 6-0, 7-6 and to seal victory, Hartland and Steve Richards beat a strong Kent doubles pair, 7-6, 7-6.
“Not a set dropped in a great team performance,” said Mike Harpin. “All five players played their part throughout the year, with Simon (Richards) turning out against Cheshire soon after a knee operation just in order to guarantee his availability for the final. It’s a pleasure to be captain of such a fantastic team – thanks and well done all!”
Tennis Wales chief executive, Peter Drew, added: “This is a fantastic achievement to cap a superb campaign by the team. What an inspiration, too, to people of all ages who may be thinking of taking up tennis – it’s a game you can play competitively or just for fun at all ages and all levels of ability.”
Information on all aspects of tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.lta.org.uk/in-your-area/Wales/ and for regular updates follow Tennis Wales on Twitter @tenniswales
