KEENLY FOUGHT FINAL AT COLN VALLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT 2002

The sun finally came out for a thrilling final to the Coln Valley Annual Tennis Mixed Doubles Tournament at Chedworth’s Hill and Valley Club on Saturday 22 June.

Over 100 contestants took part and were divided into 13 groups for the opening round, played on courts in Chedworth, Fossebridge, Coln St Denis, Coln Rogers, Withington, Andoversford, Perrots Brook and Rendcombe. This year’s victors and winners of the Speke Challenge Cup were Steve Hill and Sarah Sheppard from Ashton Keynes, who defeated runners-up Bill Hood and Janine van Stolk from London.

Sarah Sheppard, Steve Hill Bill Hood and Janine van Stolk	Sarah Sheppard and Steve Hill from Ashton Keynes being presented with the Speke Challenge Cup by Stephen Scott-Smith

There was great excitement at lunchtime as players returned with news of the morning’s matches. Even those who did not make the quarter-finals were able to enjoy an afternoon’s tennis after an excellent lunch at Chedworth Village Hall. Winners of the raffle, Sarah and Mark Payne, won a selection of tennis ‘goodies’ kindly donated by local company 3W Marketing of Cirencester, who also sponsored the tennis balls for the tournament, and there was enthusiastic bidding in the auction for tickets for the Davis Cup at Birmingham NIA. Funds raised through the tournament support the club and the churches of Coln St Denis, Coln Rogers and Chedworth.

The Hill and Valley Club would like to thank all those who helped make the day such a success, especially all the volunteers who helped on the day and everyone who loaned their courts and made puddings and cakes to fuel the hungry participants.

The Coln Valley Tournament has become a popular fixture in the summer sporting calendar since Mrs Edith Speke established it in 1982. Those who wish to take part next year should pencil Saturday 14th June in their 2003 diaries! Keep an eye on this web site for details or contact any member of the tennis club committee.