Usual concerns as this year's event approached, will the weather continue to be kind to us, are there any last minute injuries and how are we going to get more ladies to take part in this annual event.
The one thing I did not anticipate was the arrogance of the Penman Trophy winners to not bring the trophy as last year's holders to present to this year's winners on the basis that they assumed it would save them carrying it around all day! I'm not going to mention any names as this year it was only one of the pair, but in previous years the other of the pair admitted to doing the same.
As Brexit approaches the previous year's foreign influx are conspicuous by their absence this year. Once Mother Theresa May has sorted, it hopefully normal service will be resumed next year....yeh right.
Very welcome Newbies this year included Mike Dobson & Eric Keane along with some past players that paired up together in Phil Trudgeon & Paul Williams. I was almost about to relinquish my partner as I feared Mr Trudgeon had mixed his day up but local traffic released him and the day was under way.
May I at this point say a thank you to Paul Johnston-Knight this year's President for not only attending the majority of the day but also for kindly presenting the trophies.
An amusing aside was that Martin Dibsdale who this year retires from the industry from Premier Paper thought that it was his last appearance and that he was quite sad and assumed once retired would not be allowed to frequent the PICT Tennis. Martin, have you not seen the fossils you are surrounded by on the courts! Bless him, he was so pleased and we look forward to you and Martin Lloyd Hagger playing for many years to come.
A major thank you to Fedrigoni UK who once again sponsored the gorgeous lunch. An equally grateful sponsoring of balls, courts, trophies and bar person (me) from a combination of, The Navigator Company, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper UK means that we are able to donate the sum of £300 to the P.I.C.T.
A big thank you to you all!
To the tennis...
We had 9 pairs this year, well that's not entirely true as we allowed a trio to enter in the shape of Ace Bothwick, Brian Garson and David Kentish who were allowed to field any 2 of the 3 squad based on fitness checks before each round. The hidden agenda here was that they had their eyes on the coveted wooden spoon all along as they amassed 2 points in the round robin section. Not sure who got the 2 wooden spoon trophies to keep.
The Johnson Cup final we had Mike Dobson & Eric Keane facing the holders Martin Dibsdale & John Lloyd Hagger in the final. Amazed after a day's tennis that they opted to play a best of 3 sets final, the experienced holders were too wily for the newcomers who I hope return to try and reverse the result next year. 6-3 6-3.
And to the Penman Trophy, which was to be contested by the 3rd year in a row by the holders against yours truly and my partner Matt Kidd in an attempt to grapple the Trophy from their clutches.
It was Matt Kidd's and my turn in the semi-final to knock out Tony Wood & Steve Maher 6-4, whilst the other semi final was won by Andrew Dunning & Jonathan Clay again 6-4 against Paul Williams & Phil Trudgeon.
Seeing as Andrew Dunning left his trophy at home Matt & I thought we would not complicate things by beating them this year. Jonathan & Andrew ran out worthy winners 6-2, 6-2, well done, but we will be back!
Once again thank you to all the players, sponsors and Northampton Lawn Tennis Club.