Over the weekend of August 3rd and 4th, East Glos played host to the 45 Club. The inaugural match of this annual fixture took place in 1981 and over the course of these 32 years East Glos veterans have enjoyed the opportunity to test themselves against both national and internationally ranked players.

This compelling friendly match has always been a competitive event, often exhibiting some dazzling tennis. Yet it has always remained synonymous with sportsmanship and good fellowship of the highest calibre. The mutual love of sport has always carried greater weight than the final result itself.

Drawing on players both near and far, the 45 club fielded a strong team in an attempt to regain the match challenge cup. The mixed doubles played on Saturday 3rd August would however prove pivotal and decisive. 6 pairs from each team would play one rubber against each other over a 30 minute period, each game won counting towards the final overall total. During the afternoon East Glos amassed 196 games, which propelled the home team to an advantage of 29 games on day one.

Following a thoroughly enjoyable social evening which followed the tennis and included a sumptuous three course meal, the visitors remained confident of reversing the scored on day two.
In spite of the daunting deficit and indifferent weather, the visitors did indeed emerge victorious on Sunday. The 45 Club men responded especially well and for a brief moment threatened to throw the result wide open. East Glos ladies however, fought back strongly and their heroic efforts kept the winning margin to just ten games. As a result, East Glos took the match by 19 games, keeping the hosts in the winner’s circle and retaining the trophy for a second consecutive year.

At the conclusion, the cup was presented to Felicity Thomas who accepted the cup on behalf of East Glos. Lunch followed allowing conversation to turn to events both in this match and previous encounters. Old friendships were renewed amidst promises to meet again next year.

With the 35th Anniversary of this fixture rapidly approaching team captain Keiko Hirano and David Barham are aware of the importance of widening the appeal of this event within the club. Keiko has therefore promised to give this fixture as much publicity as possible next year.

This year’s team for East Glos were:-

Mixed Doubles:
Shelagh Greenhalgh + Jeremy Graham; Dee Clayton + Stephen Clayton; Fiona Smith + Stuart Knee
Jane Hancock + Martin Symkowiac; Concetta Knee + John Marshall; Keiko Hirano + David Barham

Men’s Doubles:
Ravi Hande+ Rob Baggott; Dennis Calvert + Jim Gosling; Jeremy Graham + David Barham

Ladies Doubles:
Felicity Thomas + Sue Wood; Shelagh Greenhalgh + Marianne Hope; Nathalie Vioules + Keiko Hirano

The 45 Club was founded in 1974 giving veterans the opportunity to continue playing competitive tennis. The idea proved to be extremely popular and successful resulting in rapid growth of the club. Open to all men over 45 and women 40, the 45 Club organises events throughout the UK and overseas. Printing its own magazine twice a year, a report of our match is sure to appear within its pages.  Visit the 45 Club website to find out more…