Considering the recent weather Penallt were fortunate to have two almost dry days for the first weekend of their annual knockout tournaments.

Some light rain did fall during the finals but not enough to stop the hardy players.

Twelve pairs entered the mixed competition and as usual there were some very close matches. Nigel and Jane Bryan had a lengthy match against Nick Cann and Nicky Amery, eventually winning in three sets.

They went on to play Chris and Rosie Adams and had another very close match. Each set went to a tie break and Chris and Rosie just managed to win both of them.

Nick and Nicky had an excellent plate semifinal against Martin and Sue Dean and managed to win. They then had a three set plate final against Charles Boase and Val Simeoni winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

The final of the cup was another lengthy three set affair between Ian Lewis and Sue Humble and Rob Prewett and Sue Jenkins.

There were some excellent fast rallies with Ian and Sue finally winning 7-6, 0-6, 7-5.

The men's singles also had two excellent finals. Adam Clarke and Chris Jones battled it out for the plate and after almost two hours Adam won 6-4, 7-5.

In the main competition Rob Prewett and Paul Hazlewood had an equally long final with one game lasting for 20 minutes. Rob was the eventual winner of the cup.

The ladies singles had an encouraging entry compared to recent years with eight competing.

Liz Clarke won the plate beating Corinne Cassidy in the final so the Clarke household has a matching pair of Penallt plates.

In the main Tournament young Arianna Guppy won the final beating Nicky Hutchings 6-3, 6-4.

For more on the tennis tournament, see this week's Beacon (20th June)