Another testing year for all, but once again the annual P.I.C.T. Tennis Tournament survives the pandemic and this year although the hand sanitizers were still prevalent, we did not have to worry about face masks and temperature taking. Also, with the average age of this year’s participants the majority were double jabbed with appointments for the boosters up ahead.
We did however have a last minute Covid scare as David Kentish got symptoms the day before but into the breach stepped Rod Benwell who’s duties ended up manifold as his presidency continued into a second year before the handover to Tony Wood whose pairing with Steve Maher was also broken due to injury.
So, the good news this year was we had a couple of ladies back in the fold with the reappearance of both my wife and Stephanie Spurr. We also had a lady, Annette Clayton helping throughout the day from the annual lunch sponsor Fedrigoni UK with who’s help made my day so much easier, thank you Annette.
So, the annual before picture show that we were once again blessed with good weather:
A big thank you as ever for the sponsors of the day which this year included; Fedrigoni UK for lunch, Iggesund UK for the Courts & Bar cover and Mitsubishi HiTec UK for the trophies. We had balls left over from previous year. Thanks to these guys we once again from the subs we will be sending a modest donation to P.I.C.T. a cheque for £300.00
To the tennis...
This year’s Wooden Spoon was a play off between the new pairing of Olly Gale and, due to David Kentish’s brush with Covid symptoms our President Rod Benwell who kindly stepped into the breach, against the Ricoh UK pairing of Sam Ayling & Wesley Perks. The outcome was the President had to present the Wooden Spoons to himself and his partner Olly Gale!
Rod Benwell & Olly Gale, P.I.C.T. Wooden Spoon Winners 2021
The Johnston Cup semi-final pitched newcomers James & Guy who overcame Sam & Wesley 6-1 whilst the welcome return of JL Hagger & Stephanie Spurr overcame the pairing of my missus Claire & Andy Veasey 6-2 in the other semi. The final was also a convincing 6-2 win as the mixed pairing took the 2021 Johnston Cup.
JL Hagger & Steph 2021 Johnston Cup Winners, James & Guy the Runners-Up
The Penman Cup, ended up with people being paired together for the first time, which pleasantly ended up with one new name going onto the trophies. Jonathan Clay this year could not make it so I paired up his partner Andrew Dunning with Paul Williams. With Tony Wood also recovering from a medical procedure his partner Steve Maher was paired up with Phil Trudgeon. The semi finals saw myself & Matt Kidd the 2-year holders of the Penman play Phil & Andrew. Matt & I were comfortable at 4-1 in the set as Phil & Andrew just started getting everything back to turn the set around and deservedly reach the Final 7-5. The other semi-final saw another new pairing from Konica Minolta Paul Atkins & Andy Mitchell who were very strong in the Round Robin lose 6-2 to Steve & Paul.
Steve & Paul came out as the worthy Penman Trophy Final Winners in the best of 3 sets. 6-1, 6-4. Congratulations.
Steve Maher & Paulo Williams 2021 Penman Trophy Winners, Andrew & Phil Runners-Up
Once again with thanks to Northampton Lawn Tennis Club, all that took part, all that sponsored and helped on the day. I look forward to hopefully 2022 with a pandemic free day with you all and hopefully those that today missed out also along with more newcomers also. Some more visuals from the day……..
I can confirm the date for 2022 is Thursday 15th September 2022. Save the date!