THE disappointment of finishing second at the Jaguar Championships was quickly forgotten by Claire Slater as her David Lloyd Farnham team won a weekend with a Jaguar F-Pace.

Claire, Steve Broomhall, Tom Withers and Jackie West were bidding to be crowned national champions in the competition’s third year.

More than 1,600 players, making up 417 teams, took part in this year’s Jaguar Championships, a mixed doubles event for adults in both improver and advanced categories.

Farnham had a perfect record following the five-team group stage, but lost out in the gold medal match to Bristol Westbury with none other than former British No 1 Tim Henman watching on.

Wimbledon Centre Court tickets went to the winners, while the runners-up had merely the consolation of a weekend with a Jaguar F-Pace – World Car of the Year for 2017.

The David Lloyd Farnham team were proud to represent their club on the national stage.

“My husband is going to be chuffed because he wanted me to come home with the Jaguar, not the Wimbledon tickets,” said Claire Slater.

“I feel very proud of my team. I think we’ve all done an excellent job and hopefully we’ll be back next year.

“There’s been some really good tennis and we’ve had a great day. It was hard work and I’m very tired now, but it’s been good fun. I think we totalled about seven hours on court, so about as intense as it gets.”

Teams had to battle through club competitions and regional finals to reach the national showcase.

Tim Henman – four times a Wimbledon semi- finalist – was delighted to see people of all ages enjoying the championships.

“Grassroots is always going to be massively important, when you’re talking about trying to get participation numbers up,” he said.

“You have to get the youngsters playing and if you get them at a young age and they enjoy what they’re doing on the court, there’s a good chance they’ll keep playing for the rest of their lives.

“For me, grassroots tennis is absolutely vital and that’s where these championships can play a big part.”

• The Jaguar Championships is part of Jaguar’s partnership with David Lloyd Clubs. Visit http://www.jaguar.co.uk/jaguar-range/f-pace/index.html to find out more about the F-Pace, the official car of the Wimbledon Championship.