|
After
Ted Johnson's
death, the Club, like many others at the time, struggled to keep
afloat. A limited membership meant that it was not feasible to employ
a full time Professional until 1978. The club was stewarded in the
meantime by Alf May and his son Nigel.
A
major step forward was the appointment of Jonathan Howell in 1978
as the Professional. Despite his tender years, he rejuvenated the
club, encouraged new members and fostered an improvement in playing
standards. Also during his time at the club, the Ladies' section
blossomed. By the time he moved on to Bordeaux, he was on course
to becoming one of the best players in the World, having won the
British Under 24's championship and reaching the final of the Taylor
Cup.
|
Jonathan
Howell |
|
With
a Professional in place, it was possible to hold the British Professional
Singles and Doubles Championships at the Club in 1980. Sponsored
by Unigate, a feast of magnificent tennis was provided, by among
others, Graham Hyland, Barry Toates, Chris Ronaldson, Frank Willis,
Lachie Deuchar and Leamington's Kevin Sheldon. The Singles Final
between Chris Ronaldson and Frank Willis is still remembered by
those privileged enough to witness it. At two sets all and five-all,
Chris Ronaldson saved a match point by hurling himself on the floor
to scoop a ball from the tambour and the match finished when Ronaldson
beat a worse than a yard chase laid by Frank Willis. Roy McKelvie
in his match report for the Times noted that "Willis was quick to
congratulate him when he beat it- a nice gesture from a man who
has held the title for a dozen years".
The
Unigate World Invitation Tournament was held at Moreton Morrell
in May of the following year. The Singles was won by Chris Ronaldson
who defeated Wayne Davies of Hobart quite comfortably 6-3, 6-2,
6-4. In the doubles final, the experienced pairing of amateur Alan
Lovell and Norwood Cripps, played the Australians Wayne Davies and
Lachlan Deuchar in front of a packed dedans. The match went to 5-all
in the fifth set and at 40-15, Lovell and Cripps successfully defended
their short chase to take the title.
In
1986, the World Tournament was sponsored by George Wimpey and co-hosted
by Leamington and Moreton Morrell, where the finals were held. The
singles final was a fine contest in which Chris Ronaldson overcame
Lachlan Deuchar 6-5, 6-4, 6-3. The doubles final again featured
Alan Lovell, who, with a new partner, Graham Hyland, defeated Ronaldson
and Deuchar 6-3, 1-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The
Tournaments returned to the clubs for the final time in 1990 and
were sponsored by Leamington member John Grant's Conrad Construction.
Lachlan Deuchar defeated Wayne Davies 6/4, 6/3, 6/2 in the singles
final.
Sadly,
since then, major events have tended to take place in London. So,
after a break of fifteen years, the Committee is delighted to welcome
top class tennis back to Moreton Morrell in 2005, when the eight
best available players will compete for the Vetcell trophy.
|
