The inaugural Jim Bailey Cup was held on 20th September in fantastic sunny weather and enjoyed by all (except Mike to whom we wish a fast recovery from his ankle injury!). 

22 players from Oundle, Thrapston, Kettering and Corby clubs met in memory of Jim who died earlier this year  from Motor Neurone Disease.

Jim was a great coach and friend to many of the players and is sadly missed.

Neil Shorrock, who won the Cup this year with Martin Gillam, commented on how honoured he had been to be a friend of Jim.  Peter and Charlie Whight who had both been coached by Jim were the best Oundle club pair losing narrowly 6-4 in the final.

The knockout tournament (4 rounds with John’s usual reperchage and backwards draw!) was a great success with Big Bob running a bar-b-q, a selection of Jim Bailey approved liquid energy drinks on hand for the weary, and cake from Kate we hope to make this an annual tournament. In four hours we managed to play 180 games of tennis, consumed 80 beefburgers and sausages, drank 2 cases of Coke and an unspecified number of the aforemention JB energy drinks.

£139 was raised for Motor Neurone disease.

Next year’s event is pencilled in for Sunday 19th September.