PHTA played their first ever home league match in the 14 & under West Kent division on Saturday 15th October.

Tom Whiley & Matt Clarke each won their singles in straight sets & teamed up in the doubles to make it a 3 - 0 team result against Tonbridge 'A' team who were at full strength. PHTA has now won its first 4 matches in the division, and this puts the team in the area final against Horsmonden on Saturday 17th December starting at 1300 hours at PHTA.  Please come and support.

We've now had 12 tournaments this year at Penenden Heath, the last 4 of which took place on 25th and 26th August.

Here are the results:

 
Ethan Grant was a class act in the Red Ball tournament demolishing a newcomer from Leighton Buzzard in the semi, before defeating Alfie Parker in a close final for the 3rd time in a row!  Ethan also won the Orange final against Joe Tingley a repeat of the July Orange ball final.

Special praise for Ethan on such flowing tennis throughout the 2 tournaments.

Tom King won impressively against technically sound Rafferty Wilson in the Green Ball tournament final, which demonstrates his ability to perform in matches. These 2 are players to watch for the future.

The Yellow ball tournament had so many good matches, it is impossible to report on them all. But our thanks go to Ryan Peake-Smith & Dylan O'Leary for putting on the most exciting play off for the knock out stage in a deciding tiebreak won eventually by Ryan 14-12. I shall put their encounter up there with the great tie breaks of Wimbledon. But this was followed by the best match I've seen this year when Tom Whiley recovered from 2- 0 down and 3 close line calls which all went against him, to win 5- 3 against Matthew Clarke to become the champion. Long high standard rallies for the entire final, to match any junior in the country of the same age. Matthew must wonder what he has to do to beat a flawless Tom, but he can be sure he is only a whisker away. And a lesson of fine temperament from Tom for all to admire.

Player of the 4 tournaments is awarded to Tom Dunnill. Tom played really good tennis with a most impressive topspin backhand, and played with honesty & sportsmanship.

As the referee I just want to thank everyone, including several invaluable helpers, for the brilliant tennis I enjoyed over 2 days, where rain did not stand a chance of dampening the tennis or anyone's enthusiasm.

Steve Kitcher - Tournament Referee

With Team tennis at Penenden Heath from September and several new players coming in from beginner courses the future looks very bright indeed.