Centenary Cup final goes ahead

AFTER a year severely disrupted by the pandemic, Tennis Leicestershire will tomorrow stage the 100th Mercury Cup final.

The mixed doubles knockout cup is usually held in the height of summer, with the final traditionally being on the weekend before the start of Wimbledon.

But this year’s final will be played tomorrow behind closed doors after the earlier rounds managed to navigate the various lockdowns and restrictions.

The final will be an all-Loughborough affair with the Charnwood club taking on Loughborough.

County tennis president and Leicester’s former world No13, Mark Cox, said he was delighted the centenary final was still going ahead.

Cox said: “The Mercury Cup is probably unique in Britain, being a mixed doubles team competition which has retained its popularity and format since its inception in 1920, and is keenly contested whilst retaining its friendly inter-club appeal.

“Mixed doubles is now rarely played competively yet remains ever popular with the public at Wimbledon and pleasingly still prominent locally with the Mercury Cup and the 11 summer mixed doubles leagues run by Tennis Leicestershire.”

For tomorrow’s final, Charnwood will chose from county players Gabriella Hay and Emily Rodbourne and regular first team ladies Holly Cheesman, Hannah Holmes and former GB Olympic hockey player Mary Neville.

Their men will be 2018 County singles champion Robert Leck, club coach and county player James Ison and first team captain Steve Mears.

The Loughborough team, who put out holders, Melton Mowbray in the semi-final, will chose from head coach Martyn Whait, Sam Haghighat and British ranked junior, Tom Giles.

The ladies will be from Tory Kettle, Becky Scrivins, Lucy Croucher, Claire Wynn and Emily Egan-Morris.

The trophy will be presented by county chairman, Mike Piper, who paid tribute to the determination of the county’s Competitions Committee chair, Steve Stroud, in ensuring the centenary competition went ahead.