Inter Livery Tennis at Queen’s Club
The setting was the prestigious Queen’s Club in West London for the Inter Livery Tennis Tournament, kindly organised by the Feltmakers. The Cooks entered two teams – Freeman Oliver Herbage and his mother Jenny, along with Freeman Mark Codgbrook, who travelled all the way from deepest Southwest without his tennis partner who couldn’t make it on the day. Such was Mark’s determination, not to mention his ‘fellowship’ skills he persuaded Anabelle – a lady he’d never met before – to partner him on the day… He assures us it was all above board!
With a total of 24 pairs representing 16 Livery Companies the day looked perfectly balanced until the Vintners (prior year winners) arrived to add to the organisers challenge of early rain. Play commenced with each pair in a “round robin” group of four. Happily, the rain remained light so play stayed outside. Competition was tough and both Cooks teams won hard fought matches in their group to secure their place in the Plate Competition.
After a short lunchbreak play re-commenced with four courts hosting the Plate competition and 4 hosting the Cup. The standard of tennis – particularly in the Main Cup – was exceptional.
The Cooks pairs were in opposite ends of the draw and in theory should have met at the semi-final stage. In the first round both pairs had very close matches with Oliver and Jenny just squeezing through on “Deuce” games, but sadly Mark & Annabelle’s “journey” ended there. Oliver & Jenny enjoyed one more match in the Plate quarter finals but were unable to repeat their escapology in the tight games and lost. Having played a combined total of nine matches and 24 mini sets of tennis it had been a hard day’s work out for all, and everyone was proud of the results. The Master arrived just in time to enjoy some late afternoon refreshment with the teams on the terrace and to catch the final of the cup.
Cooks to the Fore at the Duff and Price Cups!
The Duff Cup, between the Cooks Golfing Society and the Army Catering Corps, was played at South Winchester Golf Club and consisted of 9 holes of Four Ball Better Ball and 18 holes of eight singles. Drought affected the course, but the teams battled to a tie at six points each. Sadly, ACC keep the Cup, until next year!
The Price Cup was held at the stunning Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Golf Club with wonderful views across the Capital. Ten players were hoping to get their name on the trophy – Bob and Nikki Grainger, Peter and Liz Messent, Liz Madew, Sam Grainger, Peter Wilkinson, David Smith, John Cash, Geoff Acott, and guest player Beadle Ted Prior.
There were some excellent shots, none better than John Cash’s ‘so close to a hole in one’ but his joy was short lived when Peter Wilkinson bombed John’s shot, with his second. Sam Grainger triumphed with a great score of 39 points, retaining the Cup. Liz Madew triumphed in the ladies, with a score of 30. Trophies were presented by the then Master Virginia Bond.
Next year fixtures include:
2023 Past Masters’ Golf Competition – 13th April at Ipswich Golf Club – further details prmessent@hotmail.co.uk
Spring Meeting Cooks Golfing Society and Guests – 22nd May at Millbrook Golf Club, Bedfordshire
The Duff Cup – 4th August, Venue TBC
The Price Cup – 4th September Saffron Walden Golf Club, Essex
London Marathon
Some 42,000 runners took to the streets in the 2022 London Marathon and among them was Liveryman Phil Messent, Freeman Philippe Rossiter, Honorary Freeman Andrew Killey, and Freeman Laura Hersey’s husband Adam.
Heading the home team to the finish line was Philippe who finished 2nd in his age group with a fabulous time of 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 36 seconds! Wow – well done Philippe!
Phil Messent completed the course in 4:13:51 and raised some £2,000 for charity – brilliant result!
Andrew Killey was hoping to complete the marathon before the sweeper bus picked up any stragglers – he did this with style finishing in 5 hours and raising over £4,000 for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund – awesome effort!
Adam Hersey completed the team with a run of 5:19:44 – hats off to you!
