Participants in the 38th Coln Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament enjoyed a vintage day of tennis.

Organised by Hill & Valley Lawn Tennis Club, the annual ‘country house’ tournament took place in Chedworth and on 11 private courts in surrounding villages on Saturday, June 8. Seventy six competitors entered, coming from 15 different clubs, including Sophie Clark who is on a full scholarship tennis degree in Ohio, USA.

The coveted Speke Challenge Cup was won by Neil Little from Ramsbury and Sophie Clark from Delta Club who beat last year’s winners Jason Stevens and Rachana Patel, both from Purton Tennis Club, 6:4.

The winners of the Scott-Smith Silver Salver were Di and Dan Horsall from Cirencester Tennis Club who came from behind to defeat Julia Jamieson-Black from Cirencester and Dave Bond, Minety, 7:6.

Players competed at properties in Aycote, Calmsden, Chedworth, Coln St Dennis, Coln Rogers, Fossebridge, Rendcomb, Shipton Oliffe, Withington, Woodmancote and Perrotts Brook. The finals were played on the club’s new purple courts, recently painted in Wimbledon colours as a tribute to Allison Stock, the event’s past co-ordinator, who died last year.

Hilary Swan, who ran the competition with Dee Greatorex, said: “We had a terrific turnout and there was a fantastic community spirit from the club and local organisations.

"I want to thank Adrian Potter, of Cirencester Tennis Club, a keen supporter of our tournament who gave up his time both before and on the day to help us run the competition so seamlessly.

"We are very grateful to Savills for their sixth year of sponsorship, to Ione McMahon of Sophie de Rouet & Partners Financial Management for sponsoring the tennis balls, Grimshaw Sports for the runners-up trophies and D&J Sports and all the other local companies who gave us generous raffle prizes.

"Our sincere thanks go to the court owners for letting us use their facilities and to our willing volunteers who helped with the organisation and baking cakes for tea. Together with a delicious lunch by Chedworth-based Claire Booth Cooks and superb overall co-ordination by Rosemary Scott-Smith it was a truly great day”.

Next year’s tournament will take place on Saturday 13 June 2020.