Thirteen enthusiastic couples take on the Bedford Cup at Hurstpierpoint Tennis Club

There is a handicap format so that weaker pairs started from 15 to 40 love up in each game.

The idea is to get all the pairs on an even footing, and give those with less experience a chance to do well in a competition.

There were two round robin pools of 4 game matches. The winners of the first pool were Jonny and Liz Goodall, who had the same points as Mark Taylor and Becky Locke but went into the final as they had won more matches. The second pool was won by Ed Blake and Kate McMinnies who were just ahead of Joel Kalani and Lin Wylam

In the final, first team captain Jonny Goodall partnered his wife who has only been playing since July, and started 15-0 up each game against Ed and Kate who were judged the stronger pair overall.

There were some great rallies, with all four players hitting winners, but in the end Ed Blake and Kate McMinnies ran out 3-1 winners. The large group of spectators appreciated a very entertaining final.

Alan Bedford , the former Club Chair after whom the cup is named said ‘It was brilliant to see so many families at the club , with the chldren watching their parents do battle on court. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was great and it showed what a successfl village club we are.”