Taylor Challenge Cup
Tennis tournament
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Taylor Challenge Cup [1] was men's grass court tennis tournament founded in 1885 as the Leeds Amalgamated Tournament.[2] The tournament was first played in Headingley, Leeds, Yorkshire, England until 1887. In 1888 it was rebranded under a new name. In 1892 the event was moved to Scarborough, East Riding of Yorkshire until 1893.
| Taylor Challenge Cup | |
|---|---|
| Defunct tennis tournament | |
| Tour | LTA Circuit (1885-1892) |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Abolished | 1893 |
| Location | Leeds (1885-91) Scarborough (1892-93) |
| Venue | Headingley LTC Scarborough LTC |
| Surface | Grass |
History
The Leeds Amalgamated Tournament was established in 1885 singles tournament, started in 1885 and was organised by Headingley LTC in Leeds, Yorkshire.[3]
The initial event was open only to five local clubs but, in 1888, it was opened to all clubs affiliated to the Yorkshire LTA.[4][5]
A local industrialist business man Tom Taylor the owner of the Clarence Iron and Steel Works in Leeds donated a 25-guinea trophy.[6]
There were normally 10 to 15 entrants. The first trophy had been won outright by Ernest Fletcher – twice Yorkshire singles champion – with successive victories from 1885 to 1887. David Davy first entered in 1889 and beat Fletcher in the final.[7]
The tournament ran until 1893 when it was last played in Scarborough, England that event was won by William Renshaw the seven time Wimbledon champion.[8]
Finals
Men's singles
(incomplete roll)
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 |  Edward Fletcher | Gilbert Mahon | def? |
| 1889 | David Davy | Edward Fletcher | 9-7, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 1890 | David Davy (2) | Fred Bradbury | def? |
| 1891 | David Davy (3) | Charles W. Wade | 6-4, 7-5, 6-1 |
| 1892 | Harry S. Barlow | Ernest Crawley | 6-0, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 |
| 1893 | William Renshaw | Harry S. Barlow | 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 |