Venue: NEXT GENERATION CLUB, DARTFORD | Date: 3rd FEBRUARY, 2004

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.

Venue: BANK OF ENGLAND SPORTS CLUB | Date: 7th AUGUST, 2003

‘Mr Cool’ is hot stuff

Two groups of 6 pairs gathered at the Bank of England Sports Club to contest the Paul Werner Trophy on one of the hottest days of the year.

The players’ thanks are due to our organiser, David Page, for arranging to switch the event to the club’s match courts. This allowed those not playing to seek the shade afforded by the trees overlooking the courts and also to shorten the walk to the restaurant for much needed refreshments.

Having sorted out the off-court conditions, how did things turn out where it really counted, on the courts?
Although there were a few heat problems on the roads, play got off to a prompt start. In the early matches players seemed to be handling the heat but after lunch, when I am sure the temperature was over 100 degrees, several were visibly wilting and the tempo and quality o play suffered. However, after four rounds the two top seeds in each group were all unbeaten and had set up a fitting climax to this important event.

When not playing I watched quite a few other games and had picked out Paul Denyer as ‘Mr. Cool’. His smooth strokes and pacy serve ably backed up by efficient play from Juliette Lunn enabled them to win with a minimum of effort.

Indeed, they carried their form through to the final match of Group ‘A’ defeating the strong pairing of David Tomlinson and Felicity Thomas 6-4.

In Group ‘B’ Ashley Compton-Dando and Gill Logan were always in control against Bob Harrower, who was obviously wilting, and Penny Wyatt, winning 6-3.

A good final produced a win for Paul and Juliette, 6-3. David and Felicity won the third place play-off by the same score. The Paul Werner Trophies are magnificent and a good day was had by all. Afterwards a small group retired to a local Italian restaurant.

Venue: BANK OF ENGLAND SPORTS CLUB | Date: 7th AUGUST, 2003

Pretty hot stuff

The previous day was the hottest in London’s history (95.5° F); the London Eye closed (pods too hot); the M25 melted.

It did not deter 12 aspiring Peters and their Wendys (combined 120+ years minimum, but still in Never Never Land!).

We were accorded the honour of playing on the Bank of England’s exclusive match courts – albeit they were somewhat worn – no doubt suffering the after effects of the Wimbledon Qualifiers some weeks earlier.

Each set was a duel in the sun – each pair played 6 sets – no-one wilted there were no drop-outs – all competed and completed the course – in many respects one might say there were no losers but, for the record, the top 6 (in reverse order) were:

6.Janet Broster and Harry Schiller
5.Joy and Peter Dally
4.Sylvia Steward and Peter Finlay
3.Pam and Len Campbell
2.Anne Williams and John Draper
1.Mary Pretty and myself (Mike Cottee)

Mary played so well that she and anyone could have won – it was my very good fortune to be her partner and end a delightful day’s tennis as this year’s Peter Pan (tick tock tick tock tick!)
It would be tempting to cast David Page as Captain Hook but he ran the show gently and perfectly (it was anything but a pantomime). His resilience and good humour are amazing and an example to us all.

Mary and I each received our trophy from the other David (Tomlinson) whose name, with Enid’s, precedes ours on the cups. We are honoured indeed to follow in their footsteps.

Venue: THE QUEEN’S CLUB | Date: 28th JULY, 2003

Bridget & Peter Friedmann (60+) with Felicity Bernstien and David Tomlinson & Julie Metz, (45+)

Although a regular event, this was the first year in which these tournaments had been played for the Clive Bernstein Trophies, which have been donated in memory of our late Chairman. Appropriately Felicity Bernstein was on hand to present the trophies to their first ever winners.

The Young Ones (45+)

For many of us it is always difficult to travel to The Queen’s Club, but this time the Congestion Charge had made it more so. However, a group from Essex overcame this problem by travelling in a taxi, thus avoiding any charges – Jed Youlden’s husband happens to be a London cabbie.

We played on excellent clay courts but all had to contend with a strong crosswind which caused all kinds of problems. It was a great leveller and, of course, there were some surprise results.

Andy Reeve and Rosemary Spence came top of their group in the morning with maximum points. Julie Metz and David Tomlinson, Gill Logan and Ashley Compton-Dando, and Alison Hockey and Harry Mills did likewise in their groups.

Following an excellent sandwich lunch, the afternoon matches were keenly contested. The Consolation final was a repeat of a morning match but with a different winner. Janeen Quenton and Gerry Blick beat Penny Kent and Ralph Sibley.

The Championship final was won by our captain, David Tomlinson, and his partner Julie Metz who beat Alison Hockey and Harry Mills. Harry complained afterwards of Alison “being too quick and too good and taking all his balls”.

The Wise Ones (60+)

Congratulations to Merete for arranging superb blue skies and sunshine when all around were clouds and showers. The ‘Seniors Event’ produced some excellent tennis, particularly by the winners, Bridget and Peter Friedmann, whose real test came in their semi-final against Pam and Len Campbell where they won 6-5 after saving a match point.

We were returning to a 45-Club event after a five year absence and were impressed by the fine standard and great atmosphere but, nevertheless, keenly competitive air of the event.

Our thanks go to Enid Tomlinson for her usual firm refereeing and time-keeping.
It was wonderful to meet up with old foes and enjoy the company of many newcomers. In particular it was good to see Jimmy James, Peter Forda and Austin Smith among others keeping up their strong support of such events.

Results were as follows:

1st Place playoff:
Bridget and Peter Friedmann beat Sylvia Steward and Peter Finlay

2nd Place playoff:
Joy and Peter Dally beat Anne Williams and John Draper, 6-5

3rd Place playoff:
Gill Ayres and Terry Walker beat Margaret Birchmore and Norman Witham, 6-1

The day was rounded off when 50 participants enjoyed a magnificent dinner served in the wonderful environment of the President’s room.

Venue: FRINTON LTC | Date: 6th JULY, 2003

On a day reminiscent of the previous year, nobody envisaged that any tennis would be played at Frinton. Heavy rain poured down all morning as the waiting throng of disappointed 45ers supped coffee and waited for the inevitable decision to give up and go home.

Amazingly, at around midday, the rain finally abated and it turned into a fantastic day. With disbelief we were told that the courts would be playable within the hour and the whole place suddenly came to life.

The tournament was in its second year, and proves very useful grass court practice for those competing in the ITF Veterans tournament that begins on the following day. This time round twenty pairs competed so a slightly different format from the usual Lansdown system was used, with four boxes of five pairs leading to knock out matches between pairs who had ended up with similar positionings in their respective boxes.

After playing the first round on hard courts, Frinton L.T.C. allowed us to use extra grass courts and so all the matches were duly played.

Jeff Willis, still recovering from his back operation, looked after the order of play and the afternoon ran smoothly, with many close matches.

The results of the various sections were:

1st Place Final:
Gill Logan & Bob Harrowerbt Belinda Grant & Ashley Compton-Dando

2nd Place Final:
Wendy Scalinger & Ray Jonesbt Sally Walker & Neil Baker

3rd Place Final:
Gill Ayres & Peter Dunningbt Ann Nimmo & Doug Feaver

4th Place Final:
Pascaline Frame & Mike Mowerbt Pat Reeves & Gerard Boujassy

5th Place Final:
Angela & Paul Dranebt Pat Williams & Alan Roberts

The Bar-B-Que which was laid on afterwards was thoroughly enjoyed by all.