Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club

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anthony.brown
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Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club

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LAWN TENNIS
A successful Lawn Tennis Tournament came off on Friday and Saturday in last week on the grounds of the Hitchin Cricket Club.
Ladies' Doubles (Handicap) In the final tie the Misses M & F.Burton (scratch) opposed Miss Scott and Miss Faithful. One set having been won by each side the Misses Burton had to leave to catch a train and Miss Scott and Miss Faithful took the prize.
Open Doubles Final tie: Mr T.M.Burton and Mr J.S.Burton beat Mr L.R.Wilberforce and Mr H.Wilson-Fox by 6-2, 6-1.
Open Singles In the final tie Mr A.W.Hallward beat Mr F.C.Cole by 8-6, 6-4.
Lady and Gentleman Doubles (handicap) Mr Percy Brown and Miss Day (scratch) beat Mr H.G.S.Hughes and Miss Mellor (half 15 and 2 bisques) by 6-1, 6-3. Mr J.S.Burton and Miss Burton, and Mr T.M.Burton and Miss F.Burton had to retire after the third round in this competition in order to catch a train. It was thought likely that if they could have stopped one of these pairs would have won.
Open Doubles (partners drawn) Mr G.E.Brown and Mr J.E.Kingsley beat Mr H.G.S.Hughes and Mr A.W.Hallward by 6-1, 10-8.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 4th September 1885

LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
The entries for this tournament so much increased that the two days (Friday and Saturday last) originally fixed for the meeting were found insufficient. The arrangements were excellent considering the difficulties occasioned by the number of competitors, and the thanks of the competitors are due to the honorary secretary F.Shillitoe who did his utmost to minister to their enjoyment.
Open Singles Fourth round: A.Hallward beat Wilkes (6-1). Gaskell beat Forester (6-1). Final: Gaskell and Hallward, two sets all, divided (9-11, 6-4).
Ladies'and Gentlemen's Doubles Handicap Fourth round: A.Pantin and Miss Rayner beat J.Perkin and Miss Rooper (6-2). G.C.Eames and Miss A.Rayner beat E.Turner and Miss H.Lucas. Final: A.Pantin and Miss Rayner divided with C.G.Eames and Miss A.Rayner.
Open Scratch Doubles Fourth Round: A.Pantin and N.L.Hallward beat A.W.Hallward and McMullen (6-2). Gaskell and Yockney, a bye. Final: Gaskell and Yockney beat Pantin and N.Hallward (6-3, 6-4).
Ladies' Singles Handicap Third Round: Miss Scrivener, half 15 and 1 bisque, beat Miss H.Gainsford (6-4). Miss G.Buttanshaw, half 15, beat Miss Canning (6-5). Final: Miss G.Buttenshaw beat Miss Scrivener, half 15 and 1 bisque (6-2, 6-4).
Hertford Mercury and Reformer Saturday 4th September 1886

HITCHIN LAWN TENNIS CLUB
The first tournament of the Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club came off on 18th June 1887, and was very successful.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 1st July 1887


LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
A lawn tennis tournament under the management of the Hitchin Cricket Club was held on Friday and Saturday in last week. There was a good attendance of the public. Subjoined are the details: -
OPEN GENTLEMEN'S DOUBLES (partners drawn for on the ground)
Final.- C.G.Allen and G.Hicks beat J.E.Kingsley and A.Amos (3-6, 6-3, 6-2)
OPEN GENTLEMEN'S DOUBLES
Final.- C.G. & E.R.Allen beat N.L.Hallward and S.L.Bathurst (6-3, 6-4)
OPEN GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES
Final.- A.P.Gaskell beat C.G.Eames (6-1, 6-3)
OPEN LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES
Final.- Miss Jacks and H.E.Yockney (scratch) beat Miss C.Gainsford and R.E.Hudson (.5 15 & 2 bisques) (8-6, 6-1)
GENTLEMEN'S HANDICAP SINGLES (confined to members of Hitchin Cricket and Lawn Tennis Clubs)
Final.- J.E.Kingsley (scratch) beat G.Hicks (.5 15 & 1 bisque) (6-5, 6-1)
OPEN LADIES' HANDICAP SINGLES
Final.- Miss Jacks (scratch) beat Miss G.Buttanshaw (2 bisques) (6-2, 6-3)
MIXED DOUBLES CONSOLATION SWEEPSTAKES
Final.- Miss Tenant and G.Clark beat Miss Kingsley and J.E.Kingsley.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 2nd September 1887


LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
The second tournament of the Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club came off on Saturday, 14th July, on the grounds of the Cricket Club in beautiful weather, and in the presence of a large number of spectators. G.Passingham won the gentlemen's singles, meeting the Rev.C.Lewis in the final.
Miss Gainsford and G.B.Gainsford were the winners of the mixed doubles, meeting Miss Braund and G.Passingham in the final.
Miss Helen Lucas beat Miss M.Gainsford in the final round of the ladies' singles. H.G.M.Amos and L.G.D.Ryder beat W.L.Hall and H.W.Perks in the final of the gentlemen's doubles. Tea was hospitably provided by Mrs Gainsford for the players and visitors.
Hertford Mercury Saturday 21st July 1888

A lawn tennis tournament confined to members of the Sun Lawn Tennis Club was concluded on Tuesday evening, G.Passingham and H.F.Carling beating T.P.Harris and S.W.Cook in the final round.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 17th August 1888

LAWN TENNIS CLUB
The annual meeting of the Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club was held in the Cricket Field on Friday and Saturday, 24th and 25th August 1888.
The entries in nearly all the events were numerous. On the first day the weather was favourable, but on Saturday there was some heavy rain, which had an unfavourable effect on the games and on the attendance. The best contest of the day was that between Gore and Hallward, who made a splendid fight in the final round of the gentlemen's singles, the result being the former won by two sets to one. The brothers Allen won the first prize in the gentlemen's doubles, defeating Down and Kingsley. The first prize allotted to the ladies' doubles was carried off by the Misses Arbuthnott, who met the Misses Buttanshaw in the final. In the ladies' singles Miss Jacks proved the victor, defeating Miss Buttanshaw. The final round of the mixed doubles saw the defeat of G.B.Gainsford and Miss H.Lucas at the hands of H.C.Yockney and Miss Jacks. In the most important club event, the gentlemen's singles, Lewis defeated Meyrick-Jones. There was not time to play two of the finals in the club matches, and they were postponed.
Hertford Mercury and Reformer Saturday 1st September 1888

LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
The tournament annually promoted by the Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club came off successfully on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in last week. On the first and third days of the tournament the weather was against a good attendance of visitors, but on Friday when the weather was gloriously fine there was a large attendance of the public. The more prominent players who usually take part in the tournament of the Hitchin club, namely Miss Jacks, Miss Helen Lucas, the Misses Gainsford, Messrs Stuart Baddeley, J.E.Kingsley, H.C.Yockney, the brothers C.G. and E.R.Allen, as in former years met with a good deal of success. The Brighton tournament which was held on the same days kept away a good many players. It was the custom in former years to confine the meeting to two days, but last year's difficulty in getting through the programme in the allotted time induced the Committee to add another day on this occasion.
Hertford Mercury & Reformer Saturday 14th September 1889

LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
On Saturday last, 28th June 1890, a lawn tennis tournament in connection with the Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club was held at the Hitchin Cricket Field. Unfortunately, rain fell heavily in the morning so that a commencement was not made till 12 o'clock, and a heavy downpour from 5 to 6 o'clock made it impossible to finish the events, and the final rounds have been played off during the present week, with the following results: -
LADIES' SINGLES HANDICAP
Second Round.
Miss H.M.Gainsford (15.25) beat Miss G.Buttanshaw (scratch), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Miss L.Wolfe (15) beat Miss H.A.Warren (30), 6-1, 0-6, 6-3.
Final Round.
Miss Wolfe beat Miss Gainsford 6-3, 6-4.
LADIES' DOUBLES HANDICAP
Final Round.
Miss G.Buttanshaw and Miss R.Buttanshaw (scratch) to play Miss H.M.Gainsford and Miss H.Lucas (15.25)
LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S PAIRS (HANDICAP)
Third Round.
P.D.Hedges and Miss C.Gainsford (15.75) beat G.G.Lewis and Miss L.Wolfe (15), 6-0, 6-4.
M.J.Berry and Miss R.Buttanshaw (scratch) beat G.Passingham and Miss E.Passingham (15.75), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Final Round.
Hedges and Miss Gainsford beat Berry and Miss R.Buttanshaw 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES HANDICAP
Third Round.
G.Passingham (.5) beat R.Warren (15.25), 4-6, 6-5, 6-1.
G.G.Lewis (.5) beat J.H.Gilbertson (15.5), 6-1, 6-2.
Final Round.
Lewis beat Passingham, 7-5, 6-1.
GENTLEMEN'S DOUBLES HANDICAP
Second Round.
G.G.Lewis and W.Carling (.5) beat M.J.Berry and H.W.Vallance (.25), 6-2, 6-1.
F.G.Braund and W.A.Braund (scratch) beat G.Passingham and P.T.Harris (.5), 6-5, 3-6, 6-3.
Final Round.
Braund and Braund beat Lewis and Carling, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Herts & Cambs Reporter Friday 4th July 1890

Hitchin Lawn Tennis Tournament
27th, 28th, 30th August 1891
All events open to Luton.
Particulars W.L.Hall, Hitchin
Luton Times & Advertiser Friday 15th August 1891

The Hitchin lawn Tennis Club has about £10 in hand. The Sun Hotel Club is also in sound condition.
Luton Times & Advertiser Friday 13th May 1892

LAWN TENNIS
HITCHIN TOWN v BIGGLESWADE
Gents' doubles matches took place on Saturday, 9th August 1913, at Hitchin between the above clubs. The visitors put up a fairly good game, but were beaten by 15 sets to 8, and by 6 matches to 3.
The home pairs were: C.A. and W.H.Slake, R.L.Hine and W.F.Kynaston, A.F.Kynaston and G.E.Kidman.
[Biggleswade pairs] F.Wagg and A.Wagg won 8-10, 6-3, and 6-4, lost 4-6 and 4-6, and won 7-5 and 6-5. H.A.Reaney and H.Phillips lost 3-6 and 2-6, lost 2-6, 5-7, won 6-2 and 6-1. Dr Milburn and F.Wells lost 1-6 and 4-6, lost 4-6 and 0-6, lost 3-6 and 5-7.
Biggleswade Chronicle Friday 15th August 1913

LAWN TENNIS
At the London Road courts on Saturday, 2nd July 1921, Biggleswade Lawn Tennis Club met Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club, and after an interesting afternoon's play were defeated by 5 matches to 4.
Biggleswade Chronicle Friday 8th July 1921

EARLY PLAYERS
Herbert Gilbert MacLachlan Amos
Born 28th April 1866 Southwark
Died 30th June 1924 Hitchin
Burial St Ippollitts Church Yard
Brother of Andrew Amos, the England International Soccer half-back.
Educated at Haileybury School and Caius College, Cambridge.
Herbert played for Cambridge University at soccer. He also played successfully as centre-forward for Hitchin, and was said to have turned out for the Casuals on more than one occasion.
As a tennis player, on 14th July 1888, he won the tennis club's men's doubles competition, partnered by Lionel George Dudley Ryder, of Ickleford Manor.
A captain in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he won the D.S.O. in the Boer War.
He retired to the family home at St Ibbs, London Road, Hitchin, where he lived the life of a country gentleman.


Herbert George Salisbury Hughes (1853-1926) (son of George Edward Hughes (1821-1872) of Offley Place, near Hitchin)
Rosamund (1864-1924) and Geraldine Buttanshaw (1864-1959) (twins)
Rev. Claud Edmund Lewis
Herbert William Perks (b1865) Chemist
Rev.George Bernard Gainsford (1868-1933)
Agnes Alberta Braund (the Braund family were wine merchants at 22, Old Park Road, Hitchin)
Frederick George Braund
Mary Louisa Braund
William Albert Braund
Joseph Edward Kingsley (brewer's son)
George Passingham (solicitor)
Helen Lucas (daughter of William Lucas, brewer, of The Firs, Bedford Road)
Stuart Baddeley (possibly the Kent County mens' singles champion 1894?)
Frederick Ashfield Wright (solicitor)
Reginald L. Hine (local historian and solicitor's clerk)
Last edited by anthony.brown on Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:49 pm, edited 12 times in total.


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Re: Hitchin Lawn Tennis Club

Post by anthony.brown »

Reginald Hine, in his History of Hitchin, states that William Lucas founded the tennis club in the 1880s.
Which William Lucas was this? William the brewer, whose daughter Helen was a keen tennis player, or William Tindall Lucas the banker and all round sportsman?
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