Judy Murray Cup 2016

JUDY MURRAY MINI TENNIS COMPETITION

“It’s been another fantastic day, and the sun has shone yet again.  It was very encouraging to see everyone smiling and having great fun. This is the perfect way for kids to enter their starter tennis competition.” This was Judy Murray’s assessment of the sixth annual Judy Murray Tennis Competition that took place on Sunday 29^th May.  Mounted jointly by the Dunblane Sports Club and the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club, the competition was divided into two age groups: the Mini group, aged 5 to 7, and the Juniors aged 8 to 10. Entry to the competition was by sponsorship with proceeds going to Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Dunblane Sports Club. Over £2000 was raised by some 50 entrants with top fundraiser, Flynn Gilmour-Sweeney, bringing in over £200.

The competitors had a mix of initial warm-up exercises promoting ball and racquet control, led by Judy Murray, followed by some fun competitions involving both parents and competitors.

Then to the serious business of the day.  The Mini competitors played each other in groups of six, with the winner in each group then moving forward to a semi-final.  Following this, Max Hunter and Alasdair Spence faced each other in the final.  After a hard fought struggle Max Hunter eventually emerged as the winner.

The Junior competition followed a similar pattern. In the semi-finals Murray Ross played Jack Dalziel, and Ben Jackson faced Jack McLachlan.  As a result of these matches, Ben Jackson met Jack Dalziel in the final to decide who was to gain the coveted Judy Murray Tennis Cup.  It was a tense and closely fought match, with the advantage flowing this way and that.  Ultimately, it was Jack Dalziel who came through to win, playing some dazzling shots.