Townsend and Welwyn retain Harris Cups at glorious Moor Park
Magnificent Moor Park was the setting for this year’s Harris Cup finals on a gorgeous mid-October Autumn day and the tennis served up was similarly stunning.
Named in honour of two of the County’s greatest ever servants to tennis, John and Val Harris and now in its 6th year, the Harris Cup is the county’s prestigious 2 pair knockout cup event.
The final of the Ladies competition was a repeat of the last two finals and just like in 2023 and 2024 it was Townsend who came out on top in what was another nail-biting clash with St Albans. The Jersey Lane club held the narrowest of leads after the first round of rubbers but helped by superb support from their large group of travelling fans Townsend managed to turn the advantage in their favour to win by just 2 games. The win means the club has now won the competition for the last four years and cements their place as the most successful team in Harris Cup history.
The Men’s showpiece, also a repeat of the 2024 final, saw a Welwyn team fresh from wrapping up this year’s Herts League take on Rickmansworth in what was a battle of the county’s two in form Men’s teams. An incredibly close first round could have gone either way but Welwyn’s ability to get over the line saw them win both match tie-breaks and take what proved to be a decisive two rubbers to nil lead. Rickmansworth’s own huge band of supporters played their part beautifully but despite some brilliant tennis from their young team, they weren’t quite able to turn the tide and it was Welwyn who ran out deserved winners and in so doing became the first club to do the Herts League/Harris Cup double.
A very big thank you to all four teams, their magnificent supporters and Moor Park’s welcoming hosts for making the day so enjoyable.
*Main image: The Townsend Ladies’ team, winners for an amazing 4th year in a row