In Competition No. 2904 you were invited to take as your first line ‘There’s a breathless hush on the centre court’ and continue for up to 15 lines in the style of Sir Henry Newbolt’s poem ‘Vitaï Lampada’.
There is just space to congratulate the winners and to commiserate with unlucky losers John Whitworth, who submitted a charming tribute to Christine Truman, Robert Cross, Sid Field and R.M. Goddard. Those printed below are rewarded with £25 each. Bill Greenwell hoists the championship trophy and nabs the bonus fiver in the process.
There’s a breathless hush on the Centre Court:
Seventeenth deuce after championship point —
The crowd is tense, as the first serve is short.
Is this the time? Is there one to anoint?
And it’s not for the glory, or national pride,
Or the thrill from a tip that’s been turned to a bet:
The second serve touches the great divide.
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