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 It would seem
to be fairly straightforward – the staging of the annual meeting between the
men and ladies of Liverpool and Manchester Districts, to play a tennis
tournament and be cheered along by their many fans. However, the Summer of 1955 is NOT so
straightforward, as many members of the Bank’s Staff – particularly those
higher up the chain of command – are in conference behind closed doors to try
and make sense of Chancellor Rab Butler’s plans for the British Economy! Undaunted, and in the case of Liverpool
with only FOUR supporters, the galant teams play on, and the tournament is
covered in Martins Bank Magazine’s Autumn Number. Our feature benefits from some original
photographs from the private collection of Beryl Creer, who as Beryl Evans
can be seen on the far right hand side of the Girls’ Team picture below…
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 MANCHESTER
very kindly arranged for the end of the long Summer drought to be postponed
for one day so the annual trial of skill between the two Districts could be
held on the traditionally perfect day. The Government were not equally
considerate and did their very indirect best to reduce the attendant
supporters to a minimum. While the
girls and the fellows from both Districts disported themselves in the bright
sunshine (the men in clouds of red dust from the hard courts) the senior
officials who should have been there to give them the encouragement of their
presence and the benefit of their advice were sitting in solemn conclave in
Liverpool and Manchester with wet cloths round their heads working out plans to help the Chancellor of the Exchequer keep the country
on an even keel. Liverpool were only
able to raise four supporters, two of them being reserve players. Manchester
did a bit better and managed to release Mr. Shenton to come along and act as
host for the occasion. We were also
pleased to see Mrs. Shenton and their two children, the latter doing some
able work alternately as ball girls and drink attendants. Mr. S. Herbert was also present. Later
in the day Harold Gresty and Wally Lawrence arrived to add to the very warm
welcome accorded to Liverpool and at the close of the play everyone repaired
to the Brooklands Hotel for an excellent meal, followed by a short speech by
Mr. Shenton, to which the Editor responded on behalf of the visitors. The
result was a win for Liverpool in both the men's and the girls' matches.
Liverpool men won by 6 events to 3, 11 sets to 7, and 88 games to 81.
Liverpool girls won by 7 events to 2, 13˝ sets to 4˝ and 93 games to 65, the
overall result being 13 events to 5.
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The Details Results are as
follows:
MEN'S DOUBLES
P. J.
Randle and R. Talbot beat S. R. Heathcote and J. S. Laver 6-6, 6-2, lost to
E. Mellor and R. Smith 6-6, 2-6, and beat C. A. Ashworth and H. M. Isherwood
6-2, 6-1.
W.
D. Ambrose and J. B. Barrett lost to S. R. Heathcote and J. S. Laver 2-6,
1-6, beat E. Mellor and R. Smith 6-4, 6-6, and beat C. A. Ashworth and H. M.
Isherwood 7-5, 6-4.
J.
C. Stockdale and P. Humphreys beat S. R. Heathcote and J. S. Laver 6-6, 6-3,
Jost to E. Mellor and R. Smith 2-6, 2-6, and beat C. A. Ashworth and H. M.
Isherwood 6-4, 6-2.
LADIES' DOUBLES
Miss
B. Evans and Miss A. McPherson halved with Miss M. Cumberbirch and Miss M.
Foulkes 1-6, 6-3, beat Miss M. Worthington and Miss K. Worthington 6-3, 6-2,
and beat Miss J. Chadwick and Miss B. Parkinson 6-1, 6-2.
Miss
M. Kehoe and Miss M. Roberts beat Miss M. Cumberbirch and Miss M. Foulkes
6-4, 6-4, Miss M. Worthington and Miss K. Worthington 6-3, 6-6, and Miss J.
Chadwick and Miss B. Parkinson 6-0, 6-1.
Miss
H. M. Buckley and Miss P. Brightman halved with Miss M. Cumberbirch and Miss
M. Foulkes 1-6, 7-5, halved with Miss M. Worthington and Miss K. Worthington
6-3, 2-6, and halved with Miss J. Chadwick and Miss B. Parkinson 6-4, 4-6.
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