Rachel Cass partnered by Siobhan Fennelly got the better of Jennifer Cass and Philip Walton in the Annual de Vesci Competition. A staggering 64 players started out and 46 matches and 3 hours later a final had been reached with Conal Egan/Breda Keating and Alison Harvey/Jack Sinnott succumbing at semi final stage. The decision by the organising committee to postpone the competition the previous Friday night due to heavy rain proved a correct one as the evening's weather was perfect for tennis and very suitable for the BBQ that followed.

The de Vesci salver was presented to the club in 2002 by Lord Tom de Vesci as a perpetual trophy for an adult junior competition to be held each year. It is very much centred on the family and from there it has grown to be one of the major Club competitions in the clubs calendar. This year the club were delighted to have Tom de Vesci in attendance throughout the evening and when Club Chairperson Gemma Ogilvie called on him to present the de Vesci heirloom, he received a warm welcome from the large crowd. Tom congratulated the winners, complimented the players and organizers on staging such wonderful evenings tennis. Gemma thanked all those involved in the organising, particularly Emily, Michelle , Garry & Liam as well as the court referee, Niamh Bergin, Claire Thompson, Malcolm McDonald & David Brophy. Daragh Hosey received the most improved player. On the evidence of the nights play, the future of Abbeyleix Tennis club is in good hands and we can look forward to friendly clashes of Rachel & Jennifer.

[Photos of the night can be found in the Photo Gallery]