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Neil Smith and Mark Hubbard needed to win only one game at Queen's Club to win the World doubles title. After their dominant performance, in the first leg, at the New York Racquet and Tennis Club, beating Harry Foster and Mark Hue Williams 17/16,15/8,15/12,15/8 their confidence was high. their confidence turned out not to be misplaced.

Hubbard and Smith won the spin but were put out without scoring. Foster and Hue Williams scores a point each before losing serve. Hubbard and Smith went to 4/2, then Mark and Harry were back in and levelled the scores. The tension at this point and indeed throughout what turned out to be one game was almost palpable. The score went 5/4 and then 5 each. All four players, despite the tension, and the significance of the occasion were striking the ball well ,but as was to be true throughout the match Mark Hubbard was outstanding.

Photo Dowling

In his next turn in the box the score progressed to 9/5 and then Neil took it to 11/5. At this point it appeared that the match was over but Foster and Hue Williams showed their mettle by winning back serve and then going to 13/11. Put out by a superb straight back hand kill from Hubbard they restricted the professionals to 1/0 in the set to 5. Coming in again, they levelled the scores once more but were put out in their turn, but kept Neil and Mark pointless and took a 2/1 lead. Hubbard double faulted but Neil steadied the ship and he and Mark went ahead 3/2. Harry and Mark could only score one more point before a determined professional pair won the two points they needed to take the title, the fifth World Doubles Championship for Neil but the first for a overjoyed Mark, at last fulfilling his undoubted talent.

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