Over 60 Amateur Singles and Doubles Championship (Kershaw Cup) 2024

This year’s tournament had no entries from any previous winner, for a number of reasons, so the field was wide open for a newcomer to take the title. In addition, and slightly disappointingly, there was only one entry from this year’s Bostwick (over-60s Masters) team. Nevertheless, a feast of tennis was on parade and we had new entries from Radley, Moreton Morrell, Oxford and Leamington as well as old friends from Jesmond Dene, MCC, Bristol and Leamington to entertain.

The ante-post favourite for the Kershaw Cup was Ashley Deakin and he was quick to show us why. Playing elegant tennis and covering court at speed, he was able to hit winning openings seemingly at will and came to the final with little trouble, although he was made to engage in some long rallies by the newcomer Paul Seakins. His opponent – Richard MacAlister, an old hand (relatively) had a slighty trickier semi- final against the organiser, winning the first set 6/5, whereupon a hamstring tweak caused the premature retirement of his opponent, who was unwilling to risk further damage in front of the upcoming Masters.

The final seemed to be a foregone conclusion when Ashley took the first set 6/2 and quickly established a 5/1 lead in the second. However, Richard is not to be taken lightly and he changed his natural style of play – to Ashley’s apparent discomfort – and clawed it back to 4/5. A couple of unforced errors and some more winning openings saw Ashley home, though, 6/2 6/4.

The Thomas Trophy was won by the hitherto untried pair of Tony Lawton & John Mortimer. They were up against the might of Jesmond – Tony & Fiona Harrison – the might of Leamington – Norman Hyde & Bill Slora – the might of Manchester – the Pauls Butler & Seakins – not to mention the low handicap pairing of Ashley Deakin & Bill Simcox, amongst others. Prior to the tournament, John had special coaching on the art of returning the ball of the tambour. Tony had no special coaching – indeed was heard to express uncertainty about accepting John’s invitation to partner him in the cold light of subsequent sobriety.

The final was between Tony & John and Ashley & Bill and, despite having to give strokes, the latter nearly pulled it off. 4/0 down they took it to 4/4. 7/4 down, they took it to 7/6 but John Mortimer produced the shot of the competition – off the tambour, thanks Darren Long – to chase two and the match was won by the Mancunian pair 8/6.

In the absence of the MTRC manager – on holiday in St. Lucia – feeding and watering was brilliantly executed by Gareth, our chef, and Shelley, his wife and a well-attended Saturday evening dinner was enjoyed by all. Matches were expertly marked throughout by Steve Brockenshaw and Darren Long.

We look forward to welcoming one and all – friends old and new – next year.

Jamie Bebb