The Time Traveller

"The Clontarf Club in being singled out for the distinction of receiving the challenge was known to possess a strong element of tennis, for many of its members figure prominently in the records of that prosperous young institution - the Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club."

"The Clontarfites at once gallantly accepted the unique challenge, and after settlement of preliminaries, sallied northwards on the appointed day [16th August 1891] with the following team - Messrs. C. Drury, S. Fitzpatrick, Powis Hoult, H. Jenkins, W. Morrow, T. B. Rowland, K. A. Rynd, Porterfield Rynd and A. Stephens - and accompanied by Mr. R. McFerran. Most cordially welcomed on their arrival in the Northern capital by Mr. D. R. Lowry (President) and other officers of the Belmont Club, the Clontarf team lost very little time in repairing to the picturesque grounds of the Belmontites, near Sydenham."

"The tennis events were the first to be decided....In the singles honours were divided, while in the doubles Belmont obtained a majority. The rack and dust of the journey had an obvious effect on the nerves and optics of the visiting team, which would account for them not exhibiting their very best form; nevertheless the Belmont players were a strong lot, and played so well that the result may fairly be attributed to their superior skill....

Before the Chess events came off, a repast of a sumptuous kind was laid in the Ferguson Hall, adjoining the tennis grounds. The tables and walls were gorgeously decorated with flowers; and the eye caught the conspicuous display of Clontarf colours - red and blue [provided by yellow marguerites and blue iris] - alternating with the Belmont colours - blue and yellow [red poppies and blue cornflowers].

The Clontarf director, Mr. T. B. Rowland, was visibly affected with anxiety for the fate of his chess team, who, if they yielded to the temptation of the rich banquet [many joints of roast meat and foul were accompanied by a profusion of fruits - strawberries, raspberries, grapes, "while a wonder of size and flavour was the enormous salmon, carried to the table in two halves, which put together, made a young whale in length and height"] might be unable to cope with their adversaries. At 8 o'clock, he however had the satisfaction of seeing his valiants march off to the chequered squares in good fighting form."