Two charities were the winners after a competitive afternoon of tennis that matched pairs of seniors and juniors under blazing sunshine at Sidmouth Tennis Club on the penultimate Sunday of July, writes Kate Truman.

Thirty-six people competed over four matches for the Sam Marriott Memorial Trophy, donated to commemorate Sam, a 19-year-old maths student and club team player who died in 2017.

The money raised from the tournament, raffle and barbecue is going to the Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust, and ‘Balloons’, which works with children and bereavement in the Exeter area.

Amongst those competing were members and close friends of the Marriott family. Libby Hall, a long-term friend of Sam’s mum, Debbie, remembered Sam as someone who had a fantastic character and would play with anyone during club events, carefully bridling the skill and power that he unleashed in tournaments.

The inclusive format of this annual tournament is, therefore, a fitting way of remembering him. It is one of the few occasions in the year that seniors and juniors of all levels at the club mix together and, according to tennis chair, Martin Dawes, provides an excellent opportunity for a ‘health check’ on how the club is performing.

Martin says: “There are some very young, clever players with extraordinary potential. This really speaks to the fantastic coaching that is developing their game and augers well for the future of the club.”

Of course, every tournament has to have a winner and, after four hours of sweltering tennis, it was Louis Selwood and John Clarke who eventually triumphed, defeating Debbie Scott and Jed Ionov-Flint in the final.

The winners were presented with their trophy by Debbie Marriott.

Congratulations go to John and Louis and many thanks are due to Debbie Snelgrove, Marlene Maynard and Gill Hodge for making the event such a success.