Wigmore take honours in 2012 Millennium Cup

They won the inaugural event in 2001, and again in 2007, but the Millennium Cup honours have not returned to Wigmore Lawn Tennis Club until this year when they defeated Grafton Lawn Tennis Club in the final on Sunday 16 September.

Hosts Grafton were seeking to get their hands on the trophy for the third time, having won the inter-club competition in 2009 and 2010, but despite spirited challenges by many on the team, the momentum of the day went Wigmore’s way.

The first four matches were won by Wigmore and things could well have swung Grafton’s way when Bernice Martindale, playing in the Girls Under 16 event, recovered from 2-5 down in the second set to lead 6-5 on her own service against Sharlene Hussey, who forced the tie-break and squeezed out the win for the visitors, 6-4 7-6.

At the same time, Grafton’s captain, Murray Sutton, was battling from set down to level proceedings against Neil Dowden. Eventually Wigmore’s man came through the longest match of the day, 6-3 4-6 6-2 to give them an unassailable 6-0 lead.

Rob Cumming scored Grafton’s first win of the day when he convincingly defeated Atis Giura 6-2 6-1; and the mixed doubles pairing of Louise Wilson and Chris Noel won the second with a 6-2 6-2 win over Celia Edwards and Damien Hing.

The Millennium Cup was conceived to provide a friendly, competitive environment between members of the five local clubs of Streatham, south London.

The idea is to encourage new members into match play under friendly conditions and more experienced players, who already compete in the Surrey league, are discouraged from playing under a Standard of Play criteria devised by the Organising Committee on which representatives from each club serve.

“This year has been particularly even and the competition continues to be popular among particpants,” said Barbara Wancke, founder of the Millennium Cup, who was on hand to present the trophy to Wigmore’s Captain Sharon Goulds.

“It’s fantastic to win this wonderful trophy,” said Sharon, who thanked Grafton for hosting such a good day of tennis with a delicious lunch.

Murray Sutton, Chairman of Grafton LTC responded on behalf of all the clubs participating in the competition – Grafton, Norbury Park, Telford Park, Wigmore and Woodfield Grove: “It’s been another good year for the Millellennium Cup and although we would’ve preferred to win it, congratulations to Wigmore for playing so well.

“I’d also like to thank Nigel Flay [Chairman of the Organising Committee] for taking over the arrangements from Barbara and for doing such a great job.”

The coveted Millennium Cup trophy, which was donated by the three inaugural clubs – Telford Park, Wigmore and Woodfield Grove, is a beautiful crystal vase centrepiece measuring 215cm in height and 145mm in diameter set on a wooden base with a silver sleeve.

It has now been won five times by Telford Park and on three occasions by Wigmore, while Grafton and Norbury Park have each won it twice.

2012 marked a change in management for the Millennium Cup as Barbara Wancke, founder and Chair since the competition’s inception, hands over to a rotating chairmanship provided annually by each of the participating clubs.

“It is time for a change in leadership and the idea always was to share the running of the competition among the clubs, each of which has representatives on the Organising Committee,” said Barbara after the meeting held on 30 January when the new rules were approved in principle.

“I am indebted to Nigel Flay from Norbury Park, who is stepping in as Chairman for this year. He brings a love for the competition that is both refreshing and infectious.

“The Millennium Cup is in safe hands!”

Barbara will continue to play a role as webmaster for the website and will be on hand to advise the Committee and assist with administration as may be required.

The Draw

This draw was completed on 30 January and the competition started a little earlier this year, with the ties spread out in the calendar more evenly.

2012 LEAGUE TABLE	Grafton LTC	Norbury Park LTC	Telford Park LTC	Wigmore LTC	Woodfield Grove TC	TOTAL POINTS
Grafton LTC		5	5	3	7	20
Norbury Park LTC	4		3	3.5	5	15.5
Telford Park LTC	4	6		2	7	19
Wigmore LTC	6	5.5	7		6	24.5
Woodfield Grove TC	2	4	2	3		11