Chris and Alex Kurkijan with the Master

The Competition, organised by the Feltmakers, was held once again at Queen’s Club on Wednesday 11^th September and despite the promise of rain from the weathermen, we were lucky to have an almost completely dry day for the competition.

We had 20 pairs this year from 11 different Livery Companies, include the Mercers and the Drapers, which made the mathematics easier for Liveryman Bruce Fraser, who once again did a magnificent job in keeping the competition on track.

This was despite the slight irritation of continuing to win with his partner, Sarah Ward, and indeed they reached the semi-finals of the Cup competition, flying the Feltmakers’ flag until almost the end. A splendid effort, nearly matched by the Feltmakers 2^nd Pair of Gilly and Alan Yarrow, who also made it through to the Quarter Finals of the main Cup draw, making it certainly the best Feltmakers’ showing for some years.

Clare and Rob Hunt with the Master

Competition was once again pretty fierce, with last year’s winners, the Tallow Chandlers’ brother and sister pairing of Alex and Chris Kurkijan, once again the team to beat. However they faced strong competition in particular from two teams from the Horners, and it was another brother and sister team, Clare & Robert Hunt from the Horners, who faced the defending champions in the final. Despite having played almost faultless tennis up until the final, the Horners were unable to find a way past their opponents, and so for another year, the Tallow Chandlers’ name will be on the trophy.

Frank Wallis and June Saywell with the Master

The Plate Competition was equally hard fought with the remaining teams entering the knockout competition where all matches are the best of 7 games.The final was contested by teams from the Carmen and the Girdlers, and as the last match of the competition, it was the only one to fall foul of the weather, with rain forcing a dash to the indoor courts to finish off the game. The Carmen team of June Saywell and Frank Wallis eventually emerged victorious and were presented with the very elegant Plate donated by Past Master Geoffrey Farr. The losing finalists from the Girdlers were gallantly represented by their Master’s wife, Alison Seaton and their Clerk, Ian Rees.

After the exertions of the day, 66 players, helpers and guests including both the Upper Warden and the Renter Warden and his wife, enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal and wine followed by the Prize Presentation by our Master, Anthony Phillips, who was instrumental in initially setting up the Tennis Tournament.

Alison Seaton and Ian Rees with the Master

I would again like to thank Bruce Fraser for all his help and support, and also to to those who helped me on the day, Assistant Simon Wood and Liveryman Richard Brumby, without whom the day would not have run so smoothly.

The tournament next year has provisionally been pencilled in for Wednesday 10th September, (I am waiting for confirmation form Queen’s at Christmas), so please keep this date clear in your diaries as all assistance on the day is gratefully received, and the dinner at Queens’ Club isn’t bad either!

Simon Millar