Hometown boy Peter Moore was at his imperious best in entertaining the large crowd at the Vauxhall Primary School court while powering Christ Church into the finals of the veterans’ section of the National Sports Council (NSC) Inter-Parish Road Tennis Competition on Saturday night.
The stage for the biggest blowout of semi-final night was set beside an immaculately laid out court with temporary seating, enhanced lighting and four large tents provided by sponsors Banks.
That St Thomas’ Rickey Hoyte had defeated Sedrian Hinds of Christ Church 21-13, 21-13 meant that the pressure was on Moore to halt the confident Edwin Ward and set up a tie-breaker.
Moore, the sole road tennis coach employed by the NSC, would be justified if he were to give Ward an invoice for the lessons he imparted in handing him two “sows”, 21-8, 21-9.
The only similarity between the two players were that they were both left-handers, as Moore cut and smashed to literally destroy any thoughts Ward had of an upset.
The veteran star found ample time to pose after every top drawer shot – oftentimes with one leg raised – providing plenty of excitement and glee for his neighbourhood supporters.
Tie-breaker
Moore then stopped Hoyte 21-16 in the tie-breaker.
Christ Church will now meet St Michael “A” in the finals at Dover on Saturday, after St Michael “A” put out St George.
Andrew Holder defeated Goldburn Bailey in three sets, 21-19, 15-21, 21-13, while the stylish Cardinal Beckles proved no match for Jeffrey Layne, going down with a “sow” in tow, 3-21, 10-21.
Rain ended the programme prematurely after midnight just when the seniors’ semi-finals were starting. Christ Church’s Ian Yearwood was to face Allan Davidson and Anthony ‘Ears’ Mitchell was waiting to do battle with Curtis Jones.
Those matches and the games between St Michael “B” and St George were rescheduled for last night at the same venue.
Earlier in the evening, former multiple queen Sandra Bailey reached another final by beating Judy Rouse 21-16, 21-11, while Estherphene Holder pipped Suzanne Scantlebury 21-15, 19-21, 21-15 in a lengthy battle.
In the juniors’ division, Emar Edwards defeated Aline Christophe 21-18, 21-15, while Darius Gaskin stopped Dario Hinds 21-15, 21-17.
