The Prudden Inter-League Tennis Charity Cup Final was held last Saturday, the venue courtesy of Inkberrow Tennis Club, with hospitality by club stalwarts Mike and Joe Baker. The final is held annually between the Champions of the last year’s Summer South Warwickshire Prudden League, which this time was Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire and this year’s Stratford & District Winter League Champions which was Beckford, Worcestershire.
The handsome trophy was supplied by Lee Prudden, Managing Director of Redditch company Worcestershire Highway Maintenance. This was added to by a further £100.00 cheque donated by the Prudden Summer League. The winners would decide to which charity this cheque should be donated. The Summer League promoted the event and the Winter League paid for commemorative trophies for all the players. Host Inkberrow, apart from allowing complimentary use of their courts, supplied a free after match buffet.
A weakened Stratford side were trying to emulate their victory for the Summer League last year over Leamington Spa. However, Beckford fielded a strong team and looked to be favourites for the match. In lovely sunny conditions the opening rubbers although well fought went Beckford’s way as top pairs Simon Filiatrault (of French Canadian descend) and partner Matthew Morrow defeated Stratford’s Tim Page and Ralf Nielson 6-0, 6-2 with some scintillating tennis. On the other court Beckford’s second pair Graham Outhwaite and Frank Sweet also gave their opponents Hugh Frost and Tom Donnelly a hard time emerging victors for Beckford 6-2, 6-1.
After the break it was Stratford’s Page & Neilson’s turn to triumph over Outhwaite and Sweet 6-1, 6-2. However, as expected Filiatrault and Morrow won the day for Beckford as they beat Frost and Donnelly 6-0, 6-0 to take the match 3-1 and lift the Charity Cup for the Winter League.
The whole contest was played in a very sporting manner as befits the nature of the Charity Final. Tony Eskew who is not only the Warwickshire LTA Secretary but Chairman of both leagues, presented the trophy and players individual awards. The Charity Cup organiser and Summer League Secretary Corin Bishop, presented Beckford with a cheque from his league to the value of £100.00 which Beckford will donate to the charity of their choice, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.