Unfortunately the Blue Court was underwater on the day, and so the byzantine and elaborate formula of play that had been used hitherto for the tournament was replaced by a straightforward doubles tournament; the organizer had proposed a mixture of tennis on the Green Court and synchronized swimming on the Blue, but it was felt that some would drown.

The first round robin produced a win for each of the three pairs, and Fiona Brown and Michael Womack sneaked in. In the second round robin, Alasdair Poore and David Pimblett (last year’s winner) swept all before them.

The final was a truly epic affair with never more than one game different, until the end. Alasdair and David looked in good form at the beginning with the betting on David reclaiming the trophy, but they made too many errors, giving Fiona and Michael strokes on a plate with watercress as decoration.

Scores

Round robins
Gillian Moore & David Herbert xx 8 4: 12
Fiona Brown & Michael Womack 6 xx 8: 14 Winners
Malcolm Howlett & James Miller 8 2 xx: 10

Andrew Petrie & John Trapp xx 2 8: 10
Alasdair Poore & David Pimblett 8 xx 8: 16 Winners
John Hodge & Martyn Downer 4 5 xx: 9

Final
Fiona Brown & Michael Womack beat Alasdair Poore & David Pimblett, 8–6