EXPERIENCE and control was pitched against pace and power at the high-octane-fuelled finals of Abergavenny Tennis Club's annual tournament.

The day was a very special one because it was the last organised event before major works are to begin on the club's project to relay the three tarmac courts and to install additional floodlights.

Five finals were played out. In the fast and furious singles events, Lisa Fawkes overcame Alice Garlick to take the ladies title whilst Welsh veteran international Arthur Hales turned the clock back to overcome the hard-hitting topspin of Mike Forrest and take the men's title. 

The ladies' doubles was equally as exciting with Becky Rogers and Lisa Fawkes beating Nan Jones and Brenda Saunders which was followed by the mens' doubles event. This was an all-coach affair with Hales now partnering Mike Forrest to a hard-fought victory over head coach Robert Wedlake and Steve Edwards. 

The final event was the mixed doubles between Charlotte Griffiths and Charles Graham against Helen Parker and Mark Johnson. The event finished under floodlights with Charlotte and Charles winning the third set tie-break to take the title.

Club Chairman Mike Buck said, "The Club is very grateful to the Hardwick restaurant, the Angel Hotel, the Celtic Manor and all the other sponsors for providing the great prizes for the club's first summer draw." The summer draw was part of a list of events planned for the year in order to raise funds for major development going on at the club. The fund received a major boost from the draw of 1307 tickets sold . The winners have been announced on the club website http://www.abergavennytennis.org.uk">www.abergavennytennis.org.uk and notice board.

Mr Buck continued, "The project to develop the Club's facilities, will take up to seven weeks, has been supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with a substantial input from club funds. Funding facilities from the LTA are only given to clubs that via Clubmark accreditation have developed a strong business plan, together with offering tennis development opportunities for anyone that wants to take up the sport. Abergavenny Tennis Club is also grateful to Tennis Wales for its strong support for this application."