ELLERY Ford has once again swept the board at the Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club Tennis Championships.

Following on from a hattrick of wins last year, Ford was again the dominant player at the Dorchester tennis competition winning the men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

He was awarded the coveted Rod Skidmore Cup for the second year running. 

The Cup is awarded to the winner of the most events in the main draw and is presented in memory of a much missed club member and club chair, Rod Skidmore, a Royal Naval pilot who lost his life in a helicopter crash in 2002. 

The men’s singles, was a repeat of the 2023 final, with two-time defending champion Ford up against second time finalist Ben Sanders.

Last year Sanders took the first set before Ellery regained control and the final this year followed a similar pattern.

Sanders controlled his attacking style in the windy and damp conditions and won a close first set 7-5.

Ford was very patient and outlasted and frustrated Sanders by getting lots of balls back in play.

Ford's defensive style allowed him to win the second set 6-4 and it seemed as though Sanders ran out of steam in the deciding match tiebreak as Ford closed it out 10-5.

Once again Ford's consistency won the day and he successfully defended the title he has now held for the last 3 years.

In the women’s singles, there was a repeat of the 2022 final between Milly Sidaway and 21 time champion Sarah Skidmore.

Neither of them had entered last year as they were both away and the crowd was treated to a great display of hard hitting tennis from the club's top two women players.

In the 2022 final, it was a straight sets victory for Sidaway, but Skidmore took advantage of the poor conditions and won the first set 6-3.

Overall however, Sidaway proved too strong and gained consistency as the match went on and claimed her second singles title 3-6, 6-1, 10-5.

In the men’s doubles, defending champion and four time winner, Ford played with a new partner, Joe Slowther.

The pair were up against 2023 finalists, and brothers, Ben and 15-year-old Joe Sanders.

It was an exciting contest, with two closely fought sets, but Ford and Slowther were too strong and dominated the net with amazing court coverage.

They came out on top to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-2. This was Slowther’s first senior title at the club, but Ford has now won the title fives times with four different partners.

The women's doubles final was between multiple champions Skidmore and Sue Ramsbottom and Julie Nash and Lorraine Slowther.

It was an entertaining match with lots of exciting rallies. Skidmore and Ramsbottom won in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, but the match was much closer than the score suggested.

In the end however, it was a convincing win for Skidmore and Ramsbottom.

Skidmore has now won the title 23 times, Ramsbottom five times and they’ve now won it together three times.

In the mixed doubles, the defending champion and men’s singles champion Ford renewed his partnership with the women’s singles champion Sidaway as they faced Skidmore and Ben Sanders.

The duo won in straight sets 6-0, 6-2 for their first title as a pairing.

At the presentation ceremony, Al Clark the club chair said “Our main tournament sponsor was once again Pengillys and we are very grateful for their generous support.

"We’ve seen some fantastic matches today and over the course of the tournament and luckily we managed to get all the finals played today despite the best efforts of Storm Ashley.

"Congratulations to all of our Champions, but particularly Ellery Ford who showed amazing skill and stamina to play three matches in a row and to win them all, for a second year in a row, a remarkable achievement”. 

Full Results:

Men's Singles - Ellery Ford beat Ben Sanders 5-7 6-4 10-5

Women's Singles - Milly Sidaway beat Sarah Skidmore 3-6 6-1 10-5

Men's Doubles - Ellery Ford & Joe Slowther beat Ben & Joe Sanders 6-3 6-2

Women's Doubles - Sue Ramsbottom & Sarah Skidmore beat Julie Nash & Lorraine Slowther 6-4 6-2

Mixed Doubles - Milly Sidaway & Ellery Ford beat Sarah Skidmore & Ben Sanders 6-0 6-2

Plate Competitions:

Men's Singles Plate - Ned Cazalet beat Matt Chandler 3-6 6-4 12-10

Women's Singles Plate - Not Held

Men's Doubles Plate - Pete Notley & Tim Toogood beat Matt Chandler & James Warne 7-5 & 7-6 (2)

Women's Doubles Plate - Sarah Baker & Becky Sanders w/o

Mixed Doubles Plate - Ros & Al Clark beat Rebecca Hambleton & Stephen Hockaday 6-2 & 7-6 (3)