Anyone who wants to get in touch with the previously invincible road tennis player Kim Holder should get in contact with Sheldene Walrond – she has Holder’s number.
Naval officer Walrond proved that when she sank Holder with relative ease 21-15, 21-13 to successfully defend her Touch of Class “A” title when the fifth edition climaxed on Saturday night at the Deighton “Pa” Roach Tennis Facility, Bush Hall.
That was Walrond’s fifth successive victory over Holder and sixth overall after the former national volleyballer had ruled women’s road tennis for over a decade. However, on Saturday night, Holder only held flickering leads in the beginning of the two games before Walrond stamped her authority.
While Walrond countered Holder’s feared smashes with skilful play and responded with rasping line drives, Holder was frustrated as she could not overpower a resolute and superior opponent. Punching numerous balls into the net and waving her hands in frustration saw Holder creating doubts in the minds of the large number of spectators that Julie Howard had already won the novice final by beating Evalda Birkett 18-21, 21-9, 21-16.
The one-sided contest also created unfavourable comparisons between the highly entertaining veterans final where former Barbados netballer Susan Scantlebury wore down and defeated cricket umpire Estherphyne Holder 21-15, 21-19.
Holder settled in the second game to lead 6-4 before Walrond blasted to 10-6. But after Holder got within touching distance at 9-10 Walrond opened the throttle on her boat to move to 16-9 before Holder won another point.
Holder found another breather at 10-18 where hope still flickered as she crept to 13-19. But, a misfired attack and then Walrond pounced on a return to blast through Kim’s forehead to earn game and match point 20-13 and applause from her opponent signalled the end of the battle.
Walrond earned $1 500, a gold tennis racket pendant and a TOC branded racket. Holder won $750. She also picked up $300 for being second best in the doubles along with daughter Kyana Holder as the champions in that category, Cherene Ward and Abigail Haynes romped to victory 21-15 to gain $400.
St Vincent and the Grenadines repeat queen Maudlyn Blunt finally earned some local silverware when she captured the “B” class title, easily defeating Ashley Howell 21-10, 21-9. Blunt earned $525, a sterling silver tennis racket pendant and a TOC branded racket. The dreadlocked Howell won $350.
Both junior finals went the distance with Ranesha Stewart denying the Blunt family another title by edging Kezia Blunt 21-13, 19-21, 21-17 in the 7-12. Barbados footballer Felicia Jarvis pipped Parkinson Memorial student Lashonna Burgess 21-6, 15-21, 21-19 to take the 13-18 crown. (KB)
