Townsend and Welwyn crowned Harris Cup champions

An enthusiastic crowd braved all the elements and were treated to some superb tennis when Codicote LTC hosted the finals of this year’s Harris Cup Men’s and Ladies competition. Named in honour of two of the County’s greatest ever servants to tennis, John and Val Harris, the Harris Cup is the county’s prestigious 2 pair knockout cup event.

The Ladies final was a repeat of last year’s and as in 2023 it was Townsend who came out on top in an exciting clash with St Albans to take the trophy home for the third year in a row and in so doing become the most successful Ladies Harris Cup team ever.

St Albans’ quality would have been too much for most opposition, but this Townsend team has been producing tennis of the highest quality for several years now and seems to thrive under the competition’s two pair format.

The Men’s final pitted last year’s winners, Rickmansworth, against a star studded Welwyn team which featured local lads Max and Sam Howard. Once again the tennis didn’t disappoint and in a gripping match which swung one way then the other, the result was in the balance right up until the final few games.

It was Welwyn who eventually managed to get their hands on the trophy though and who followed the Townsend Ladies in becoming the competition’s most successful Men’s team.

Huge thanks to all four teams for treating the plucky spectators to some scintillating tennis and to everybody at Codicote for being such welcoming hosts.

Featured image – Townsend ladies pictured with Herts Tennis president Lee Evans.