Tennisarchives.com

General Date1891-06-08 - 1891-06-13
Tournament typeAmateur
SurfaceGrass
Rounds3
CityCheltenham, County Cricket Ground
CountryEngland

Source Pastime, The Field

Info In 1891, a rival tournament was held at almost the same time at the Montpellier Gardens.

https://www.eastglos.co.uk/history/:
On 12th March, East Gloucestershire Cricket Club holds its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Queens Hotel. Compared to current times, the meeting is covered in detail by a local newspaper, The Cheltenham Chronicle. Numbers have fallen slightly since last year, with 201 subscribers (as they were then called) versus 206. By comparison, in 1885, there were 253 subscribers. The accounts show a deficit of £10 with total receipts at £223 18s. The rent of the field is £39 2s 6d.

A question arises whether the names of defaulting subscribers should be read to the meeting; however, it is decided to name and shame them by posting in the pavilion instead.

The committee wishes to curtail expenses in light of the reduction in numbers. Measures include discontinuing free teas, which cost the club £5. Stroud, the groundsman (referred to by his surname only), need not be retained during the winter, thus saving £15.

It is reported that little advantage was taken of the enhanced facilities for tennis approved at the previous AGM. If the meeting approves, then the improved membership offering will be advertised. It is proposed to call Thursdays “The Ladies Day” when all courts will be available for members and their friends, with refreshments as well.

It’s also reported that hockey has been played during the winter with a subscription of 2s 6d for cricket members and 5s for others. 38 members joined, with six matches played, half of which were won.

A rule change is proposed to change the club’s title to East Gloucestershire Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club (previously, it was cricket only). The rationale is that something must be done to make the club more popular due to the reduction in cricket members. Major Young, the club secretary, says, “The number of cricketers is limited, but the number of tennis players is practically unlimited, so it wise to launch out in the general direction of tennis”.

Other resolutions at this AGM include a proposal by Nevile Wyatt that when there is no man in the family, the subscription should be 10s 6d for each lady. The motion is defeated by a large majority.

In June, H.S. Barlow achieves the apparently impossible feat of being the winner and runner-up in the Cheltenham Open Tennis Tournament on the same day.

How did he do it?

In 1891, there are two rival tennis tournaments, each calling themselves the Cheltenham Open, one held at East Glos, the other at Montpellier Gardens. This situation arises because the previous year, the Webb brothers had arranged the event to take place at Montpellier; however, the tournament committee decided to transfer the event to East Glos as the ground was not playable. The Webbs were out of pocket to the tune of £100, and a court case ensued, with the jury finding in favour of the tournament committee.

Many of the players and officials feel the Webb brothers have been shabbily treated and set up a rival tournament under the auspices of Gloucester County Lawn Tennis Club. Many players enter both tournaments, including H.S. Barlow. He loses in straight sets to Ernest Lewis at Montpellier. Then he rushes to East Glos to play his other final versus T.D Cummins. He wins in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

There’s more background to this dispute and Barlow’s incredible feat in the book Tennis’s Strangest Matches by Peter Seddon. In the book, Seddon remarks, “When all the dust had settled, the tennis journal ‘Pastime’ summed it up with admirable circumspection, befitting the true gentility of Cheltenham, as ‘this most unfortunate squabble’ “.

Report Mixed doubles final (Draw: 6): N Pope/James Baldwin def. Miss Agg/Wilfred Milne 6-2 6-2

Media


Winner Player Harry Sibthorpe Barlow


Players

Rounds
Round 1
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final

Tournament