Bissett bags singles crown

Bissett overcame eight-time Division One singles champion Andy Mitchell in a straight-sets final vic-tory while the Civil Service’s Stow overcame the Land Registry’s Lee Stainer in two tense and tight sets to edge the open handicap final.

Both Terry Whitworth and Neil Richards were pleased with their efforts on the day to reach the Division One singles semi-finals but they were to meet their match in Mitchell, a virtual ever-present in this event final, and Bissett respectively to set up an intriguing final.

The Springfield number one was the favourite going into this clash, boasting a 97 per cent win record in the league this season so far, but after a slow start Mitchell found his hitting form to level at 6-6 in the first set.

However, Bissett started to move up a gear again and a lucky edge off the end of the table brought up set point at 10-6 but, unfazed, Mitchell found two big hits in succession to pull it back to 10-8 only to play short and net in the very next point (11-8).

The Portland penholder started the second set brightly to lead 3-1 but Bissett hit back to level with a backhand winner after a Mitchell jab had flown long (3-3).

From there though it was Bissett who just edged ahead at 7-5 and then 9-7, and when Mitchell went long with a forehand on the stretch at 10-8, Bissett had bagged the second set for a 2-0 lead.

Again Mitchell began the next set well to lead 4-2 but, with two of his own serves to come, a big chance was missed as Bissett broke back for 4-4 and then a long forehand from Mitchell made it 6-4.

Bissett continued to play with the greater consistency (8-5) although Mitchell found two big kills to pull it back to 8-7, but then backhand netted and a slack forehand brought up match-point, 10-7 to Bissett.

Having saved one match point, Mitchell could not control a backhand block that flew long to deservedly hand Bissett his first title.

There was an even tighter handicap singles final with the highly experienced Stow (0) just sneaking the closest of opening sets 23-21 against Stainer (+8).

And Stow just managed to claw back the eight-point headstart he had to give his opponent in the second set in the nick of time.

At the business end of the set, Stow still trailed 18-14 but, importantly, on his own serve, Stow closed that down to 18-17 before sneaking ahead and taking the title on the first match point with an unreturnable forehand that clipped the net for 21-19.

Sadly for Stainer he was also to come up just short against doubles partner Andy Millar in the Division Two singles final, which just went away from him 3-1.

However, there was joy in the doubles as Stainer then partnered Millar to victory in one of the matches of the entire tournament against Stuart Walden and Barry Thomas.

The Stainer/Millar partnership had to fight back from 2-1 down in sets in a see-sawing contest that saw each of all five sets end 11-9.

Crucially though it was Stainer and Millar that just nicked the last two sets to take it 3-2 on the night.

Finally, young Tom Cherry had plenty to remember looking back at his first appearance in this tournament as he just got the measure of Sam Millar in an exciting five-sets junior singles final before teaming up with Budmouth stalwart Neil Hardisty to clinch a Division Three doubles crown with a 3-0 defeat of Val and Katherine Bundy.

* Fixture secretary Sai Magenti has launched a brand new website for the Weymouth and District League that features articles and photographs on the development work of the league and coaching opportunities locally.

You can access the web page at weyttl.org.uk * It is with great sadness that the league has to report the passing of a dear friend and colleague – Allan Henderson.

Henderson, 61, collapsed and died while playing a match for Springfield C. His funeral will take place at 3.15pm tomorrow at Weymouth Crematorium. All are very welcome to attend.

A league spokesman said: “Our sincere condolences go to Allan’s wife and family.”