As has now become traditional, the Bury and West Suffolk Junior Tournament heralds the start of a busy, competitive summer season.

Boasting a magnificent increased entry of 240 competitors, this festival of tennis provides great fun and enjoyment for competitors aged six to 52.

Only the disappointing weather so far has marred this popular event, two days play being contested under grey skies and amid some torrential rain interruptions.

Referee Rick Gardner has the tournament safely on schedule nevertheless, with four indoor courts available and the 14 and 18 and Under singles now reaching the latter stages after two days of high-quality matches.

Culford players have certainly made the most of home conditions, well represented in the deciding rounds of both age-groups, after an initial entry of 54 competitors.

Today’s 14U decider will be between the top seed Luke Watson, from Culford, and the Stowmarket youngster Harvey Mills, who knocked out Luke’s Culford colleague Alex Swarbrick in two tight sets.

The boys’ 18U semis and final are scheduled for today, top seed Karim Shah facing defending Men’s champion Ewan Evans in an all-Culford encounter, and third seed Robert Hagan, from Middlesex, taking on second seed Nick Glaznavi. Hagan overcame a plucky Jack Kearton, of the Colchester Officers’ Club, the latter clearly hampered by a long-term shoulder injury.

No less than 32 competitors will contest the Men’s Singles to be held at the end of the week, together with other senior events. This serves to emphasise just how keen players from previous years are to come back and participate.

Let’s hope the weather picks up for the remainder of the week, and provides this very special tennis event with the setting it deserves.

Results

18U Boys’ Singles semi-finalists: Kareem Shah, Ewan Evans, Robert Hagan, Nick Glaznavi; 14U Boys’ Singles semi-finals: Luke Watson bt Asa Sumner-Keens 7-6 (5) 6-3 Harvey Mills bt Alex Swarbrick 6-0 6-0; 14U Boys’ Doubles Final: Jasper Chase and Asa Sumner-Keens bt Luke Harris and Harvey Mills 6-1 6-1; 10U Mixed Doubles: Charlie Barber-Lomax and Joe Warner; 10U Girls’ Singles: 1st Louise Booker; 2nd: Sarah Thomas; 10U Boys’ Singles: 1st Saul Hindmarch; 2nd: Joe Warner; 10U Boys’ Singles A: Merlin Stamper; 10U Boys’ Singles B: Sam Harrison; 10U Boys’ Singles C: Jamie O’Sullivan; 8U Mixed Singles: 1st Bethany Gardens; 2nd: Tom Warner; 8U Mixed Singles A: Jomi Aminu; 8U Mixed Singles B: Jake Dorbin; 8U Mixed Singles C: Rocco Richardson; 8U Mixed Singles D: Harvey Durham; 8U Mixed Singles E: Benedict Luttman-Johnson; 8U Mixed Singles F: Reva Onibere; 8U Mixed Singles G: Reva Onibere; 8U Mixed Singles H: Millie Hansgate.