Preston Bowl 2014
The Preston Bowl is an annual open mixed doubles competition that was first contested in 1934 at Abingdon Tennis Club. This year to celebrate the Centenary of Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club, the tennis club put up a prize fund for the first four placings, rising to a £100 for the winning pair. Eight couples entered, but unfortunately, one withdrew late leaving seven to contest the title. This included the current holders of the Trophy, two couples for Witney Tennis Club, two and a half couples from the home tennis club, and other welcome guests.
After the first round of matches there were three clear pairs who had arrived and meant business. There was little to choose between the remaining competitors. Unfortunately Jason Oliver of Abingdon Tennis Club was suffering from a back injury, and although he continued to play, was severely restricted in his movement. Play started at 1pm prompt with a round robin format comprising a one tie break set shootout. By 5pm the reigning champions had lost a set to Manoj and Ana. However, Manoj and Ana had lost to Jeremy and Taysie, whilst Jeremy and Taysie had only lost to Matt and Alice. The score was finely balanced, so we had to rely on the LTA's software to determine the places, and therefore the pairs who would battle it out in the playoffs. Matt and Alice came top on percentage games won. Then, separated by less than 1% was Manoj and Ana, and Jeremy and Taysie, with Manoj and Ana prevailing due to their win over Matt and Alice.
The final gave Matt and Alice their chance to avenge their defeat earlier in the day to Manoj and Ana, and this they did to retain the Preston Bowl, and win the £100 prize pot.
Jeremy and Taysie maintained their earlier dominance over fourth place Michael Sanders and Tamala Anderson to take third place.
Mention should also go to Graham and Deborah, Paul and Margret, and Jason and Liz for making it all an enjoyable afternoon’s tennis. Hopefully we will see you all again next year.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 1 | Matt Davies Alice Atkins |
#4: 6-0 | #7: 3-6 | #11: 6-0 | #14: 6-0 | #18: 6-1 | #21: 6-0 | |
| 2 | Michael Sanders Tamala Anderson |
#4: 0-6 | #10: 1-6 | #13: 7-5 | #17: 6-3 | #20: 6-3 | #3: 2-6 | |
| 3 | Manoj Gujral Ana Coggan |
#7: 6-3 | #10: 6-1 | #16: 6-2 | #19: 6-2 | #2: 6-1 | #6: 1-6 | |
| 4 | Graham Ross Deborah Richens |
#11: 0-6 | #13: 5-7 | #16: 2-6 | #1: 6-1 | #5: 6-0 | #9: 4-6 | |
| 5 | Jason Oliver Liz Oliver |
#14: 0-6 | #17: 3-6 | #19: 2-6 | #1: 1-6 | #8: 6-7(1) | #12: 2-6 | |
| 6 | Paul Quibbel-Smith Margret Saxon |
#18: 1-6 | #20: 3-6 | #2: 1-6 | #5: 0-6 | #8: 7-6(1) | #15: 0-6 | |
| 7 | Jeremy Wood Taysie Gujral |
#21: 0-6 | #3: 6-2 | #6: 6-1 | #9: 6-4 | #12: 6-2 | #15: 6-0 |
| Standings | Wins | Pl. | S% | G% | |
| 1 | Matt Davies Alice Atkins | 5 | 6 | 83.33 | 82.50 |
| 2 | Manoj Gujral Ana Coggan | 5 | 6 | 83.33 | 67.39 |
| 3 | Jeremy Wood Taysie Gujral | 5 | 6 | 83.33 | 66.67 |
| 4 | Michael Sanders Tamala Anderson | 3 | 6 | 50.00 | 43.14 |
| 5 | Graham Ross Deborah Richens | 2 | 6 | 33.33 | 46.94 |
| 6 | Paul Quibbel-Smith Margret Saxon | 1 | 6 | 16.67 | 25.00 |
| 7 | Jason Oliver Liz Oliver | 0 | 6 | 0.00 | 27.45 |
| Final | Winner | |
| Matt Davies | ||
| 1 | Alice Atkins | Matt Davies |
| Manoj Gujral | Alice Atkins | |
| 2 | Ana Coggan | #1: 6-3 |
| Final | Winner | |
| Jeremy Wood | ||
| 1 | Taysie Gujral | Jeremy Wood |
| Michael Sanders | Taysie Gujral | |
| 2 | Tamala Anderson | #1: 6-2 |
The Preston Bowl Competition has over 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.)