Lucy gets herhands on trophy for the third timein eight years

The 26th final of the Basil Mason Trophy was held in icy cold conditions at Hurstpierpoint Tennis Club on Saturday but still drew a good attendance of members to support the competing players.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Apr 2013, 09:00 BST

The winter mixed doubles cup is for pairs of a range of ability so that all pairings are seeded to be equal. James Dew and Lucy Spink ran out comfortable 6-0, 6-3 winners against Gail Cope and Nathan MItchell. It was Spink’s third win in the last eight years.

Credit must go to 17-year-old Nathan Mitchell who was playing only for the second time since a hernia operation. Despite his obvious discomfort, he stuck it out gamely. Apart from the pain, clearly he was frustrated not to be fully fit. He had played all his early rounds ahead of time so that he could squeeze in the op before the final.

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Praise also to Gail Cope who was in her first ever final and is a much improved player.

The cup was presented by Anthea Leaney after whose late father the trophy is named. She said she was thrilled the competition was still strongly supported after so many years and congratulated the club on its refurbished courts, adding that she hoped to see floodlights there soon.