This was my first visit to the impressive Next Generation Tennis Centre at Dartford. Easy to find, although harder to access, this centre has eight bright orange courts and excellent lighting.

The organiser, Mike Montgomery, did the welcoming bit, (pulling my name out of the hat) and explained that he had nine players pulling out at the last moment and thanked all the late replacements. Little did he know that this would help to make it one of the most closely fought and interesting tournaments. Getting off to a prompt start, the morning session was soon behind schedule with so many tie-breaks and close games. One group had three pairs finishing on 15 points and the unlucky Enid and David Tomlinson finishing fourth on 14.

The afternoon session was not to be any different with a further eight tie-break sets, and Mike, struggling to keep to his time schedule, introduced the ‘no changing ends rule’. This proved to be successful and the final produced some great tennis with Anne Williams and guest partner, Brian Roberts, coming out on top 6-2 against Julie Metz and Richard Clarke. Brian is no stranger to many of us and I am sure Anne will persuade him to join The 45-Club and become a regular competitor.

The Consolation final was won by the excellent Janet Broster and your reporter, winning in yet another tie-break set against Lesley List and Brian Brown.

Thanks go to Mike Montgomery for organising a difficult tournament so well (you can now take a rest for a year).

P.S. Mike and Pascaline asked me to mention that they did as well as anyone against the eventual winners.