SINCE the last report in August, Tavistock Tennis Club has had the usual mixed doubles handicap tournament, played later in the season than the main tournaments to maintain competitive play, and a further series of friendly matches with other clubs.

There was a good entry for the mixed doubles tournament where the sliding handicap system, sometimes known as self-handicapping, was a great leveller, resulting in many close matches with tie-breaks.

For first round losers there was a plate competition so that everyone was guaranteed at least two matches. Pairings were drawn at random.

In the main event Josie Gerhold and Phil Harbottle beat Jilly Beilby and Simon Thomas 7-6(7-5), 4-6, 7-6(7-3) in an entertaining match where there was a high standard of play with many long hard-fought rallies and as can be seen from the score a nail biting finish.

Due to the recent bad weather the final of the plate competition has had to be postponed.

Friendly match results: v Bovey Tracey won 5-3 at home with mixed doubles matches only played because of poor weather. Team: Annie/Mike Jefferies and Josie Gerhold/David Isaac.

v Chagford at home in a match not completed due to deteriorating weather. Score stood at won 3 sets, lost 5 sets, one set abandoned at 5-5 with just mixed doubles played. Team: Kylie/David Martin and Annie Bruce/Brian Morris.

v St Budeaux lost 5-7 away when the weather was ideal for tennis on a glorious afternoon and where St Budeaux had revenge for the defeat 4-6 at home to Tavistock earlier in the season. Team: Sue Parsons/Simon Thomas and Jane Colegate/John Burgess.

v Veryan (Cornwall) away drew 4-4 where the mixed doubles was limited to one match pairs and the men's and ladies' doubles to two sets. This was a new fixture for the Club introduced by member Simon Thomas whose parents play there. The tennis club is part of a multi-sports complex located in very pleasant surroundings. Team: Sue Parsons/Simon Thomas and Josie Gerhold/John Burgess.

The annual presentation of awards ceremony for the Plymouth and District League summer competitions took place on Thursday September 21 at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth, which was well attended.

In attendance from the club were Annie Jefferies, Mike Jefferies (chairman), John Burgess (press officer), juniors Duncan Law, Josh Sutton and Nick Simpson and Pam Law who came along to give support.

A proud moment for the club was when the three juniors stepped up to collect the cup as members of the team winning division A of the junior competition. Unfortunately, Katy Bruce, the other member of the team could not attend.

The presentations were excellently run by the MC, David Williams, fixtures secretary to the league, admirably assisted by Clive Marlow (St Budeaux).

The junior awards were presented by Dudley Tolkien who runs the junior competitions. Mike Jefferies, chairman of the league, gave a vote of thanks to the sponsors and to all those who had worked so hard to make the event a success.