PICTURES: Black Isle tennis tourney honours much-loved former resident

THE memory of a much-loved Black Isle resident was again honoured with an eagerly contested tennis tournament on a court he loved.

The second year of the Tilbrook Trophy tennis tournament in Cromarty was blessed with glorious weather.

It is in memory of Cromarty resident, Peter Tilbrook, and is organised by the Cromarty Tennis Club and one of his daughters, Georgia Macleod.

Peter passed away in July 2022 aged 83 but was playing competitive tennis at both Cromarty and Inverness Squash & Tennis Club right up to his 80th year.

This year’s event saw eight doubles pitted against each other in a random draw.

Spectacular tennis ensued with the small crowd of spectators enjoying some long rallies and deadly drop shots.

Last year’s champs, Kay Henderson and David Milne, were knocked out by mother/son pairing from Bellfield Park Tennis Centre, Sarah and Luke Henderson who then went on to become the 2024 champs.

Vicky Benjamin from Cromarty and Richard Fea of Rosemarkie, played a cracking few games but had to settle for runners-up after a closely fought final.

Sibling pairings of Kelsey and Cody Benjamin and Lindy and Jane Cameron all played brilliantly.

Traditional strawberries, lemon barley water and Pimms was gratefully consumed as Peter’s widow, Fran, presented the trophy at the end of another successful day.

If you enjoy playing tennis, you might want to consider taking part in the Tilbrook Trophy next year? It’s open to all players. Pairs can be all-female or mixed and you can enter as a pair or singly and be put into pairs by organisers.

It’s described by organisers as a fun day out, whatever the score!

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