We had an entry of 26 pairs this year with 15 Liveries represented, which was excellent.  Two liveries took part for the first time, the Salters and the Broderers.  Once again there was an influx of new teams and younger players, which is raising the standard of tennis every year.

Master John Ray presents Rob Hunt of Horners' 1st team with his prize

The Feltmakers’ were represented by Gilly Yarrow and her husband Alan and by Bruce Fraser, my willing and very able assistant this year, and his tennis partner Sarah Ward.  Gilly & Allan met with some tough opposition in the first round in which they were involved in the 3 way tie for 2nd. place.  Sadly, they could not progress through the competition, though, as they had an important evening engagement.

Bruce and Sarah entered the Plate competition as one of the two highest second place teams and met the Horners’ first team for a battle royal.

Fraser Wright and Emily Nichols receive the cup from the Master

The Horners’, Rob and Clare Hunt, were the eventual winners who progressed to the Final where they lost to the Salters’ 1 pairing of Emily Nichols & Fraser Wright, successful first-time entrants!

The Plate, too, provided a good deal of excitement and some tough battles with the Broderers’, Peter Hissey & Helen Maher reaching the semi-finals before losing to the Grocers’ 1, Stephen Goodhart & Hilary Graffy.

Stephen Goodhart and Hilary Graffy - Grocers' 1st team

The final was a family affair as Grocers’ 1 met Grocers 2, Clare Goodhart & Alexander Bute!  Grocers 1 triumphed in a close game.

Clare Goodhart and Alexander Bute - Grocers' 2

Dinner followed for a record 91 players and guests in the President’s Room with the prizes presented by our Master, John Ray.

Bruce and I had several fabulous helpers on the day and I would like to thank Liverymen Jane Way and Simon Wood, my father, Past Master Geoffrey Farr and my mother Catherine, together with my long-suffering husband Rob, for their help and support on the day.

The tournament next year will be held on Thursday 13 September, once again at Queen’s Club.

Sarah McLeod