2007 Preston Bowl-Open Mixed Doubles

The Preston Bowl Competition is an Open mixed doubles competition for players of all ages. In recent years, it has been held on the first Sunday of the Open week, but this year it has been scheduled earlier in order to avoid the peak holiday season.

Initially, the Preston Bowl was open only to players within 13 miles (see below) of Abingdon, but this restriction no longer applies! This year the day is Sunday 24th June, with play commencing at 1:30pm. A light lunch will be provided from 1pm.

The event does not have a sponsor this year; the prize is getting your name engraved on the prestigious Preston Bowl trophy.

If you want to see what happened in the past five years at the Preston Bowl, then click on one of the previous year's Open buttons to the left, and then select "Preston Bowl" on the menu on the page you go to.

How to Enter:

Club members may enter by adding their names to the entry form on the club noticeboard. Players who are not members of ALTC may apply by contacting the Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club Secretary, Kay Hunneyball by phone or post. The entry fee is £10 per pair, payable to Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club. Kay may be contacted by telephone on 01235 525903 or by post at

The Preston Bowl Competition has nearly 70 years of history. The following information was extracted from the club minutes of 1934:

"At the committee meeting on 23 Jan 1934 it was proposed and agreed that the Crescent Tennis Club be renamed the Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club.  At the same meeting Mr A E Preston was elected President of the Club. It was agreed that a competition open to residents in Berkshire within a 13 miles radius of Abingdon would be initiated.  The winner will be presented with a Challenge Cup to be given by Mr Preston. The competition is to be played on Whit Monday and to be an American Tournament.   Play to commence at 11am and the final to be of 3 sets."

(Note that in July 1933 the club applied for affiliation to the LTA.)