EASINGWOLD LAWN TENNIS CLUB – DOUGHERTY CUP COMPETITION

This annual competition is run in remembrance of John and Jean Dougherty who were stalwart members of the club for as long as most can remember.  The competition is run on a mixed doubles basis and is open to all comers.  Proceeds from the tournament are donated to St Monica’s.With the weather being what it has been, few thought that this event would be held.  Early morning rain on Sunday did not deter our intrepid players and, by 2-30pm, the sun was out and the courts were dry.  The 10 couples who had entered were split into 2 groups by Peter Simpson who had volunteered to organise and run the event.  Each group played 5 games against other members of the same group until a winner emerged.  The winners of each group then played in the final.The afternoon provided some very classy and entertaining tennis. It was a joyous and noisy occasion where excellent tennis and fun went hand in hand. Best dressed player, in Wimbledon whites, was Helen Sykes.  She was also the noisiest!  Best comment of the afternoon was ‘Oh Robert!’ from Shirley Shepherd who castigated her partner for failing to return a ball which hit a dead spot and bounced all of 5 cms.  Best recovery of the competition came from Roger Westerman who out positioned himself shouting ‘mine!’ and then disappeared off court to pick up the return somewhere between the club hut and the fence!  Best cake of the afternoon was the Rhubarb Fool Cheese Cake made by Lorraine Boyd – it all went!But the best tennis of the afternoon was provided by Liz Burdett and Andrew Burdett, a Mother and Son pairing which worked extremely well.  After winning their group, they went on to play Pippa Bailey and Dave Johnson in the final.  The last match was a closely fought affair which saw Pippa and Dave race away to a 5 – 2 lead.  The Burdetts then clawed their way back to 5 all and won the next game to clinch the cup.  This was a master class in Tennis and all players exhibited the full range of tennis shots but the piece de resistance was Liz Burdett’s backhand, cross court, passing shot which won the match.Thanks to Peter Simpson for acting as the Cup Controller and organising the players and to Sally Craggs for getting everyone there.


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