The gods were smiling on Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club last weekend where for the second year in a row, the tennis finals day was blessed with glorious weather.

As always there were some well-contested finals that kept the good turn out of members entertained.

Andy Hutchinson, runner-up for the last two years, took the men's singles title beating Saad Abbas in two sets. This was Andy's second title, he last won the men's singles back in 1995.

Maria Kouvatsos retained the ladies singles title in a tiring three setter against Georgina Jackson. This was one of three finals that Georgina played in.

She lost, with Anita Perry in the ladies doubles final to Carol Nixon and Amanda Kayes, but finally tasted success in the mixed doubles. She took that title with Andrew Merrick in a very entertaining final against Barry Cox and Carol Nixon.

In the men's doubles, the Hutchinson brothers Gareth and Andy, took the title for the ninth time. This is actually the tenth time that Andy's name will be engraved on the trophy as he won with another partner one year when Gareth wasn't available.

There was a reversal of last year's results when Bill Murfitt finally lost

the mens veteran singles, an event that he has won for a number of years

now.

Last year's beaten finalist Colin Campbell took the honours this time.

The junior events threw up many entertaining matches, Saad Abbas proved too strong for young Sam Horrix in the under-18 finals, while Maria Kouvatsos added the under-18 girls' title to her ladies win beating last year's winner Krista Royston.

Krista did win the under-16 event in a marathon final against Charlotte Turner.

The club would once again like to thank sponsors Yves Dereix of Hawksworth Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic and Jackpot/ Cottonfield of the Grove in Ilkley.

Results:

Boys' Singles U-18: Saad Abbas bt Sam Horrix. Boys' Singles U-16: Kyle Brassington v Ben Murray-Potts still to play. Boys' Singles U-14: Andrew Denny bt Stephen Hunt. Boys' Singles U-12: Jonathan Dow bt Marcus Jenkins. Boys' Singles U-10: Andrew Wilkins bt Nicholas Merrick. Boys' Doubles U-18: Nick Jenkins/Andrew Denny bt Sadd and Hassan Abbas.

Boys' Doubles U-14: Gabriel Hopkins/Sam Horrix bt Stephen Hunt / William Dow.

Girls' Singles U-18: Maria Kouvatsos bt Krista Royston. Girls' Singles U-16: Krista Royston bt Charlotte Turner. Girls' Singles U-14:Catrin Morgan bt Lauren Flint. Girls' Singles U-12: Catrin Morgan bt Lauren Flint. Girls Singles U-10: Abi Craig bt Hannah Pulford. Girls' Doubles U-18: Royston/ Turner bt Kilner / Sutherland. Girls' Doubles U-14: Charlotte Turner / Karina Kilner bt Caroline Picken / Natalie Auerbach.

Men's Singles: Andy Hutchinson bt Saad Abbas. Mens Doubles: A and G Hutchinson bt S and H Abbas.

Ladies' Singles: Maria Kouvatsos bt Georgina Jackson. Ladies' Doubles: Carol Nixon / Amanda Kayes bt Anita Perry /Georgina Jackson.

Mixed Doubles: Andrew Merrick / Georgina Jackson bt Barry Cox / Carol Nixon.

Men's Vet Singles: Colin Campbell bt Bill Murfitt. Men's Vet Doubles: Ken Robinson /Jonty Hawkes bt Chris Wilkinson / John Roberts.

Ladies' Vet Singles: Penny Hunt bt Liz Blizzard. Ladies' Vet Doubles: Kate Spencer / Jalna Jenkins bt Penny Hunt / Cath Hibbert.

Mixed Vet Doubles: John and Penny Hunt bt Graham Philpin/Liz Blizzard.

Ladies County Week

This year Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club hosts the Group 3 Ladies County week with teams representing Bucks, Cheshire, Northumberland, Herts, Kent and Dorset contesting the event.

As always there will be some top standard ladies' doubles tennis on view from next Monday through to Friday on the grass courts.

Play starts at 11am each day and if the weather is fine, will usually end around 5.30pm.

Visitors are welome at the club to spectate throughout the week.

Ilkley Open

The countdown begins to this years open tournament which starts on Saturday, July 26. The main events get underway fron the Monday, July 28, and the club is hoping for good weather to make up for last year's torrential rain which prematurely ended the event on the Friday.

Again visitors are welcome at the event which is sponsored by Skipton Building Society and OHS Ltd.

Call the club for details on 10943 607182.