Dion Anselm retained his Nagico Open Tennis Championship title beating Mark MacDonald 2-1 in the best of 3 set final. Photo: Tortola Sports Club

Rachel Macdonald carried of the Womens Championship with a victory over Mussondra Poole.

Poole returned with partner Salvador Leanaming to beat Anselm and Linda Romney-Leue in the Mixed Doubles.

A large and appreciative crowd had turned up to witness all the day’s finals which were the conclusion of a weeklong tournament featuring several of the Territory’s top Tennis players.

“It’s a great success for me,” commented Anselm, who had to ice and massage a sore shoulder which had put some doubts in his mind. “I went home early this afternoon and iced it a lot, but I felt much better and had to push myself hard.”

MacDonald, who finished a runner up in the St Thomas Open last weekend, threatened Anselm’s victory march, claiming the second set by forcing Anselm onto the base line and then commanding the net, but in the third set the roles were reversed with Anselm holding sway and forcing Macdonald into mistakes from deep.

“He’s a good player,” commented Anselm, who rounded off a tumultuous week with a satisfying victory.

At the TSC AGM, held during the Tournament, Anselm was replaced as Captain of Tennis by Stan Sexton. “He's been pushing me for a while now. Every year he gets a little closer to beating me, so I will have to go back to the drawing board to stay ahead,” he said with a rueful smile.

In the Women’s Final, Rachel Macdonald restored the family pride in beating Mussondra Poole 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. Macdonald, who had won in St Thomas last week, fought back after losing the first set and began to run Poole around the court with a series of long rallies and deft drives down the line.

Poole rallied on her powerful forehand, but Macdonald patiently remained on the baseline to watch Poole’s unsuccessful forays to the net, rushing her shots and returning them long and wide.

Macdonald led 4-1 in the second set. Poole sensing defeat came back strong but couldn’t force the break of serve she needed to stay in the match.

In the Mixed Plate Final - Kim Burns/Mike Burns beat Lyn Sorrentino/Lenroy Quashie 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.

The Men's Plate Final was won by Paul Oliver in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Keith and the Women's Plate final was won by Tanya Dean who beat Heather Chapman 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.

Poole then returned to beat Anselm and Linda Romney-Leue in the Mixed Doubles final with partner Salvador Leanaming 7-5, 6-3.