Wellow Tennis Club counted themselves extremely lucky to have their wish for Christmas tennis answered.

On a very rainy day, a couple of hours of dry weather in the afternoon enabled them to carry out their annual Christmas tournament. Despite the weather, 17 members turned out for an afternoon of fun – and good tennis! Four rounds were organised using the American system with each foursome playing the first to five games, with a tie break at four-all. Luckily, all four rounds were played but, as the drizzle started drifting in, it was decided to forgo a semi-final and instead have a slightly different version with a separate ladies’ and men’s final.

The ladies’ final pitted together the two experienced match-playing pairs of Judy Wallis and Cathy Tarvin against Laura Hart and Simone Arnott, Wallis and Tarvin pulling off a 6-3 win. An exciting men’s final was dominated by the Wallis family, with brothers Matt and Ben Wallis playing younger brother Scott Wallis and partner Nat Conn.

Youth and experience in the Wallis and Conn combination just managed to eke a win over the solid Wallis brothers. Mulled wine and mince pies finished off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s tennis, helping to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.