Indeed, powerful as they have been recently in the Aegon National League, one has to go back to 2006 for the last time the impressive Henley Road squad took the Inter-Club title, and indeed, it was as far back as 1947 when the Sports Club achieved the “double”. Inspirational County captain Jeremy Cowley certainly has the quality of players needed to win the competition, should the intent be there.
In terms of overall titles, there is little to choose between Ipswich, Newmarket and Felixstowe on the Men’s side, West Suffolk side winning the title a commendable 9 times since 1990. Indeed, spurred on by the drive and enthusiasm of the late Bob Chapman, Newmarket Ladies were also very strong during that period, and the event was staged for many years on their excellent Hamilton Road grasscourts, long since disappeared.
David Lloyd have come strongly into the picture on the Men’s side recently, capturing a hat-trick of titles in 2007,2008 and 2009. Last year they lost 3-6 6-7 to the Sports Club in a very tough 2nd Round encounter, comfortably winning the Plate Competition with straight sets victories over Roundwood and Southwold, the Plate Competition giving all clubs at least 2 matches on the day.
Another side relatively new to the competition are Culford, and if Head Coach and Nottinghamshire county player Marc Powell is available, then this relatively new club could well continue to make an impact. Playing with James Swanson last September, Powell steered Culford to a semi-final against Felixstowe, giving the eventual winners their closest match in the semi-final before going down 4-6 7-6 (4) 2-6.
Turning to the Ladies, 2010 runners-up Roundwood will be hoping to go one better than their three-set defeat against the Ipswich Sports Club Ladies, the Sports Club bidding this year for a very rare four-timer. Although loyal supporters of the event, Roundwood have never won the title, and face the toughest of openers on Sunday against past champions Newmarket.
In the final analysis, player availability is the key factor for all clubs, and indeed, which of their various clubs the competitors choose to turn out for !
The format provides the ideal opportunity for club to blood their promising youngsters, who can gain invaluable competitive experience, with doubles still very much the basis as far a club, league and national events are concerned.
Club supporters are more than welcome to make the trip to Bath Road to cheer on their teams, and where better to spend a relaxing day, especially if the weather is kind. Play starts at 10am on the grasscourts, weather permitting, and in addition to very kindly providing catering for players and spectators throughout the day, the Club Bar will be open !! There will be some great tennis to watch, as the county’s clubs fight it out for those coveted shields.