In a repeat of last year’s final , the Sports Mercury Cup contenders were 2nd seeds Ashby Castle Tennis Club and title holders Leicestershire LTC.
14 of the top teams in the County had entered this mixed knockout competition, with both Ashby and Leicestershire having byes in the 1st round as the top two seeded clubs in the event. Ashby, in the bottom half of the draw then saw off sides from Leicester Forest East and Rothley to secure their place in the final against a very strong Leicestershire squad.
This year’s final was held at Ashby on Saturday 13th June in front of a large crowd of supporters. The home team of Chris Vernon and Laura Morley, Nick Johns and Katie Higson, Andy Vernon and Hannah Carter played some excellent tennis but found themselves 2 rubbers to 1 down after the first round. Chris and Laura won a nail biting 3 set match against Mark Oldman and Lucy Easters to give Ashby the 1 rubber, however Leicestershire’s 1st and 3rd pairs, John Cloake and Jo Horne, John Ison and Claire Seal, both won their matches in 2 sets.
In the second round despite some exciting tennis and close matches it was a clean sweep for Leicestershire, thus giving them victory by 5 rubbers to 1, and therefore enabling them to regain their title.