AN OPEN day in Chepstow saw the professionals beaten by local tennis club members, attracted over 100 people and raised more than £500 for community tennis initiatives.

The event was organised by Chepstow Tennis Club and saw two ex-professional Davis Cup and Grand Slam players - James Auckland and Danny Sapsford - offering coaching before playing an exhibition match against Gavin Reid (men’s first team captain) and Ben Durman (Men’s A team player).

Jason Allen, Ben Durman and Julia Hitchcock organised the open day and Jason said: “The exhibition match was played between two of Chepstow’s best players and the professionals and Chepstow won 7-5 in a tiebreak.

Danny Sapsford (48) was beaten by Pete Sampras in the 1999 Wimbledon Championships, and James Auckland (38), who reached a career high ranking of 57 in doubles, gave up their time to help Chepstow raise money for tennis in the community.

Former men’s captain David Slater, added: “It was a remarkable turn-up for the books.

The men’s team have all worked hard over the years to get to this standard of tennis.

The club has been playing in the higher divisions of tennis in South Wales for almost a decade, taking on the big teams in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport regularly, and playing as far away as Aberaeron on the west coast of Wales.

“Chepstow men have also been past championship and also knockout winners in the Cymru Kitchens Premier league, centred around Gwent.

“We think it was a remarkable achievement given our small stature and membership. We had our courts resurfaced three years ago at a cost of over £50,000, in a fantastic Wimbledon green astro-turf.

“We are funded only through membership fees and charity events like this one.

“We are always on the lookout for players, both men and women, as well as families with children. We host coaching for children throughout the week.”

As well as dedicated coaching sessions and the exhibition match, the day included games, activities and an all day barbecue.

The money raised on the day will go towards introducing tennis to more schools in the Chepstow area. For more information, visit clubspark.lta.org.uk/ChepstowTennisClub