Express & Star

Champions day is a smash hit for club

Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club enjoyed a hugely successful club championships as a record number of participants took part in the annual event.

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There were 13 finals contested with the men's singles title going to Henry Parocki and the women's won by Amber Quick.

Parocki, who is a former UK Under-18s No.8, has now won the main title for four consecutive years.

He came out on top in a competitive final 6-2, 6-4 against Alex Dmitrewski.

Quick, who was skipper of Wolves Ladies football team, is now club development coach and first-team captain. She stormed to her fifth crown with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Cathy Lea in the women's singles final.

The ladies' doubles was a much tighter affair. Jane Hampson and Stef Walczak edging out Lea and Jo Webb, 6-3, 7-5.

In the men's event, club manager Marc Hughes and Dmitrewski claimed the title with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Paul Hodgetts and James Henderson. Hughes, 49, triumphed with a partner, at 17, less than half his age.

The mixed doubles saw more success for Hughes as he teamed up with Lea to secure a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Robin Chipperfield and Walczak.

Pictures from the tennis tournament taking place at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis Club, in Newbridge Crescent, Wolverhampton.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Sally Mansell and Ali Birkett in the ladies' plate doubles while Paul Fothergill and Dave Ingham came out on top in the men's qualifying plate final.

The action was much appreciated by a crowd in a relaxed atmosphere getting in on the SW19 spirit by enjoying strawberries and cream provided by club sponsor Howard Wright.

Puv Sumra was victorious in the men's pre-main singles plate while Ross Fletcher secured a men's qualifying singles win.

Father and son team of Mark and Ross Fletcher then combined to success in the men's doubles qualifers, with Ross also teaming up with Lucy Thomas for mixed doubles qualifying success. Husband and wife Jag and Manny Samra then teamed up to victory in the mixed doubles main plate with Tracey Crane and Jon Robinson won the mixed doubles qualifying plate.

The event was a resounding success with the up-and-coming members of the club, with 19 juniors entering, with over 24 of the 100 entrants part of the club's 'Rusty Rackets' adult beginners group.

Club marketing and events organiser, Dannielle Jadowski, said: "We had a record number of entrants this year and all of the members worked so hard to ensure that their matches were organised and played on time.

"There was a great atmosphere around the club with a number of supporters coming to watch some fantastic tennis."

The club has over 1000 members and have a special membership promotion offer on during Wimbledon fortnight.

Wolverhampton Tennis & Squash Club boast of a unique relationship with the world's most famous grass court competition – two-time winner Reverend John Thorneycroft Hartley won the Wimbledon singles title in 1879 and 1880 and is a member of the club's hall of fame.

Club manager Hughes added: "

Everything was just spot on.

"The standard was brilliant but to have all of the other finals on so everyone got the chance to compete in front of a good 250 people in a final was something special for them."

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