For the second time this year, championship finals at Ewell Tennis Club in Cullerne Close, Ewell, were disrupted when a competitor was unable to continue.

On Saturday, August 8, in blazing sunshine, the club's adult improvers met in the finals of their summer championships. The day began with ladies' singles holder, Jessie Fullarton, defending her title against a new challenger, Jane Marriott. Sweeping to a 3-1 lead in the first set, Jessie took the set at 6-3. In the second, she found herself with a 5-2 advantage, tightened up a little against a resolute Jane, but served out at 5-3 to repeat the first set score.

Last year's losing finalist, Hugh Austen, was to contest the men's final against Steve Myhill. In a first set that see-sawed until 4-3, Hugh captured the set at 6-3. The second set was a precise repetition of the first, except that Steve was in the driver's seat and forged steadily ahead to 6-3.

The third was a punishing battle of wills, games going evenly right up to five all. At this stage there were no fewer than six deuces, until Hugh broke serve, which he celebrated by serving a love game to win the set, and the title, at 7-5.

There being no ladies' doubles, the afternoon started with Hugh and Steve again on opposite sides, being partnered respectively by Trevor Millitt and Malcolm Fullarton. The first set was a virtual walkover, going to Steve and Malcolm at 6-0. It looked like tea was going to be early! Not so. Losing the first game, Hugh and Trevor then settled to their task, combining effectively to grab the lead and to retain it, to win 6-4.

Excitement ran high as Hugh and Trevor took the first game in the final set but, unfortunately, Hugh was forced to conclude that he could not go on, and the men's doubles was conceded.

The day concluded with Kathy Tibbs and Steve Myhill playing Pam Bennett and Trevor Millitt for the mixed title. The final score in favour of Pam and Trevor, of 6-2. 6-1, does not reflect the closeness of the contest, and the final game of no fewer than seven deuces is a better indication of how hard the losers fought.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.