Former Barbados footballer Anthony “Charlie” Chase is the new Ralph Thorne Christ Church South Road Tennis champion.
Playing in front of a large crowd on Sunday night at the Dover court, Chase, 56, a losing semi-finalist last year, went all the way by defeating another Paradise footballer half his age, Trevor “Taz” Mayers, in a tense game 21-16, 21-16, 14-21, 21-19.
Mayers, who prematurely ended the 2017 football season after suffering a broken leg in January, may have felt he got a raw deal on too many controversial calls from the officials, as the game was often interrupted to clarify protests from both players.
The opening two games were fairly evenly contested. Chase adopted a controlled style, while Mayers attacked relentlessly, taking risks which cost him points and gifted the advantage to his opponent.
However, Chase became overconfident at that stage, loudly promising to win the third set with a sow.
With several top players on the sidelines issuing instructions to both players, Mayers set up Chase and then passed him with disdain to grab a 13-7 lead. Chase battled back from 10-19 to 14-19 before Mayers pulled a game back.
Mayers’ over-aggression – and some controversial calls – resulted in Chase rallying to 19-16 and then to game and match point at 20-16.
Mayers regained focus and fought to 19-20. After some gripping rallies he sent Chase the wrong way to blast the ball through his backhand.
Believing that he had deuced the scores, Mayers spun like his namesake the Tasmanian Devil, pumping his fist and celebrating before realising that the official had called the ball out and was awarding the game and match to Chase, 21-19.
An upset Mayers vented, and the crowd appeared stunned by the glaring error.
Chase collected $750 and he magnanimously gave another prize, his dinner for two at the Hilton, to his opponent, taking instead the dinner at Bubbas. Mayers also earned $500.
Earlier, Rashad Boxill took the third spot and $400 by defeating Glenville “Villain” Ifill 21-15, 16-21, 21-5, 21-18. Ifill earned $300.
Lavar Chase beat Paul McDowall in the plate finals, 17-21, 21-15, 15-21, 21-19, 21-18, to pick up $300. McDowall collected $250.
Deallo Ashby beat Ryan Weekes 21-15, 21-11, 21-11 to place third in the plate, winning $200. Weekes took home $150.
Dre Smith, 11, won a prize for being the youngest player, while Kevon Jones took the Best Youth Player award. (KB)
