The Bennett Cup

The Bennett Cup tennis competition between the Marlborough and Nelson Tennis clubs has
been running since 1929. It has twelve men and woman from each club competing in
doubles, singles and mixed matches with a tie in Blenheim and one in Nelson each season to
see who will hold the prestigious trophy for the year.

Marlborough tennis club currently hold the trophy from 2024 and on Sunday the 23rd of
November the first leg of the current 2025 leg was held at the Marlborough Tennis Club.
Our team consisted of a strong line up of Donna Clark, Amber Lyons, Mieko Kimura, Anna
Simpson, Joey Beckett, Eveline Apthorp-Van der Linden, Cathy Kitto, Emily Preece, Caroline
Cornelius, Luan Muir, Mary Anne Sloper, Sandy Stubbs, Josh Gywnne, Logan Croad, Jaco Van
Hensbergen, Stephen Dempster, Amon McGregor, Flynn Weaver, Stu Campbell, Daniel
Riordan, Scott Booth, Hayden Swain and Brian Powell.

Condition were perfect for great tennis with plenty of sun, light winds which lead to some
blistering rallying. Marlborough players had lots of success during the day and amassed a
commanding lead of 39 winning matches to Nelson’s 5 with the completion of the day. No
living member of our club could remember such a convincing win and there are a few older
members around during the day to consult. Thanks Garry and Jim.

The second tie of this year’s competition will be held in Nelson on the 22 nd of February 2026