H L Barnes National Inter Club Tournament
Despite a fixtures clash, enough clubs were able to participate in an enjoyable weekend of excellent tennis and bonhomie at the Moreton Morrell club..
In the quarter-finals of the Singles tournament, Moreton Morrell’s Martin Trees struggled against the youthful exuberance of Manchester’s 16 year old Robert Shenkman, going down 3/6. Tom Bomford representing Jesmond Dene trounced M.C.C.’s Roger Cotton 6/1 and Bomford took his fine form into the Final when he recovered from being 0/3 down to win the next six games against Shenkman with powerful volleying and boasting.
In the Doubles, Leamington’s Robert Frost and Mat Fattorini lost a closely fought match to Newmarket’s Nutter and Wells 4/6 and Manchester pairing Simon Shenkman and Jonny Maltz (who has only been playing for 3 weeks!) squeaked through against Cambridge’s Grose and Brown. In the final, Shenkman’s dominant and consistent play proved too strong for the Newmarket pair.
Due to the Shenkmans’ exploits, Manchester were comfortable winners of the team prize.