Well, it certainly was the start of autumn as the rain lashed down for the End Of Summer Tournament on Sunday. However the wet weather was not enough to put off the 21 players who showed up. Despite there being an odd number, Acting Chairman Daniel Morris managed to wrangle with the numbers and create a format to accommodate everyone, and then play was under way.

A mixture of newcomers, beginners, experienced and veterans played some outstanding tennis on the four synthetic clay courts. Half an hour in and the rain started to clear, the sun almost made an appearance and courts became a delight to play/slide on.

Some fearsome rallies were thrashed out and, with the lets being deemed in play for this tournament, some interesting games ensued. A shout must go out to Andrew Brown’s insanely slicey serves that almost put Paul ‘Coxy’ Cox into the fence a few times, and another special mention to Ian Kirwan’s forehand smash right in the top corner to add to his game tally of 10 games.

Club veteran and committee member Nicky McRobert won the women’s category with 22 games, narrowly ahead of socials’organiser Emily Holden with 21 games.

The men’s category was won by Tom ‘Wooly’ Woolner, thanks to his en pointe trademark forehand spin. Runner-up was Thame newcomer Will Brookes.

Tea and scones were provided by Fran and Emily afterwards in the new clubhouse, alongside some sort of dried-up biscuits baked by Ashley Reed. It's the thought that counts, eh?

We also need to give Emily an extra big thankyou, for the enourmous amount of effort she has put in to make the tournament happen. Thanks Emily!

So, an eventful day to mark the End Of Summer, but certainly not the end of tournaments. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one here at Thame Tennis Club.