HALE Lawn Tennis Club celebrated its centenary year in style last weekend after holding a doubles match between veterans and young prodigies.

With a combined age of 152, Jim Heaton, 79 and David Harris, 73, came up against Samuel Walsh (12) and Samuel Furness (14) as they combined to make an age of just 26.

It was an intriguing encounter to celebrate 100 years of Hale Tennis Club, with the match providing the showpiece event in the men’s handicap doubles on finals day of the Senior tournament in front of a crowd of over 150.

The boys came out victorious and showed a sign of things to come in the future following an emphatic performance from Walsh and Furness as they took the game 6-3 4-6 6-4 in a enthralling display.

It is an exciting time for all involved at the club following member Sam Murray being picked as a wildcard for this year’s Wimbledon tournament and Mark Furness, head coach at Hale, was full of praise for the club and the range of events provided.

He said: “This match captivated what the tournament, the club and tennis is all about.

“Tennis is a great lifetime sport and a wonderful leveller.”

The past champions were unable to come out victorious but this match, which shined as the highlight of the 12 events, proved how tennis can bring people together in a unique way.

Tournament referee Dominic James was at the centre of organising this special day and Mark was full of praise for the man in charge after he arranged a series of extra activities to coincide with the tournament.