THE ROYAL COURT

NOT IN MY BACK YARD! Nick Wood defeats Rob Fahey as RTC team takes National League by storm

Report: page 4

The Winter Newsletter 2008 Number eighty-six

020 8977 3015 u [email protected] u www.royaltenniscourt.com chairman’s chat hile all is gloom and doom for the economy, at introduced by the Wleast we have our great game to take our minds off membership committee, the problems, albeit temporarily. Just think of the ecstasy so please be generous in of a brilliant victory off a disadvantageous handicap. It letting your friends and does wonders for the spirit. acquaintances in on the joys of our game. am sorry to report that Simon Barker, our club I champion, has decided to come off the board due to gentle reminder that the pressures of work combined with his commitments to Awe still don’t have his young family. I fully understand his position, which the email addresses of he made clear to me on his appointment, and would like all our playing members. to thank him for a major contribution over the past 18 We need these in order months. Simon is an outstanding player with a wealth to disseminate news of knowledge about our game and I very much hope quickly and for members that in a few years’ time he will feel able to resume his to take advantage of spare court opportunities through the membership of the board. I have no doubt he will be weekly tennis diary. Please let the professionals know if invited to do so. you have an email address of which they are not aware or, for that matter, if your email address has changed. am delighted to let you know that the board have I decided to institute a new competition for “junior club inally on a light-hearted note: towards the end of champion”. It will be played off level handicap and will Fthe dinner party the host innocently and out of the be open to all under-25s and will, I hope, demonstrate our blue asked his guests if they could remember who said: commitment to the younger members of the club. This is “I have a dream”. His guests immediately responded: very much Nick Wood’s initiative and he has other plans “Martin Luther King”. Drawing them further into the to encourage juniors to take up our game, wholeheartedly game, he then asked them who said: “My kingdom for a supported by the board. horse”. Again they responded as one: “Richard III”. e would like to make a real occasion of AGM day is final question proved trickier. He asked, who said: W– 17 May 2009 – so please put this in your New H“Defeat is OK”. There were a number of ingenious Year’s diary. We will aim to play the final of the Lathom responses, but no one got it right. The answer of course Browne Cup on this day, as well as the final of the was “Nelson Mandela’s chiropodist”. Barker Camm Cup. appy Christmas. adly, marginally more members have passed on H Sin the past 12 months than we have recruited new members. A fast track to full membership has been  Peter Ohlson

CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS Court lights external repairs and decoration No longer can members blame until September 2009 – subject to the lighting conditions for those available funding. missed volleys – the tennis court lights have all been serviced and Pro’s shop the defective lamps replaced The pro’s shop has been – thanks to the bright sparks at decorated and a new display Chelsea Electrical. board fitted showing a new range of quality tennis clothing. (More Court repairs out of debris, while racking has details in pro’s news, page 7.) Tennis court repairs and the been erected for the storing of repainting of lines are proposed marquees etc. (Thanks to David Men’s showers to be undertaken towards the Seelig.) The previously leaky men’s end of the year. changing room showers have Roof retiling been serviced by Bristan (the Cellars Historic Royal Palaces have manufacturer) and now appear to The cellars under the club rooms now postponed the retiling of be working properly. have been cleaned and cleared the tennis court roof and major  Julian Sheraton-Davis 2 The RTC Annual Carol Service

in the Chapel Royal Monday 15 December 2008 at 7.30pm

❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄

Followed by mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas pudding in the club

Tickets: £15 Available from David Seelig 24 Forge Drive, Claygate, Esher, Surrey KT10 0HR

There will be a car park charge for the event – but it will be £2 instead of the normal £3.50. On entering the car park, please show the man on duty a ticket and pay him £2. When you leave, the exit barrier will be up.

3 Fahey humbled as RTC top league

Nick Wood leads the RTC charge in the National League as ’s world champion leaves empty-handed

t was a great night of tennis when grille and then finally the RTC played their first Premier took the game with an I League home game of the season unreturnable volley. against Cambridge in October. Even At 5-3 it finally though Nick Wood and Ben Matthews appeared that Ben was were playing near the top of their form, on his way, but Hobbs Cambridge had the nigh-unbeatable took the next game as eight-time world champion Rob Fahey Ben twice drove returns at No 1, so we knew from the start that into the net. At 5-4 it it was going to be a tough fight. appeared there would Ben opened proceedings in front of a be a lot of nail biting, full house against Mark Hobbs. Early but Ben took control of on it looked as though Ben had the the tenth game from the upper hand, but then some strange start and went on to win errors gave Hobbs the fourth game to to take the first set 6-4. love and it was tied at 2-2. Hobbs won Hobbs took the first game of the and spins. He won the first game after the next game, and then in the sixth second set after three deuces to show two deuces but Fahey took the second. game he set chases of first gallery and the vocal RTC supporters that he was The third game showed Nick going for three yards. From the hazard end Ben far from finished, and then exchanged his shots with confidence and he won showed he meant business, beating games up to 3-3. This, we thought, was the first point with three forces before both chases and winning the game with going to be a long night. Ben took the inducing an error from Fahey. His stylish force to tie the set 3-3. next two games in short order to lead forcing off the main wall had Fahey in He won the seventh game with 5-3 but Hobbs put up a huge fight in trouble and Nick was soon 2-1 up. another force to stress the advantage of trying to save the set with four deuces. The fourth game got down to some home court. But Hobbs would not lie Ben had match ball after three deuces really wonderful tennis, with Nick down and the eighth game was a real and served a double fault to force a setting chases on the first two rallies – tussle, with Ben finally getting to serve fourth deuce but atoned for that with a nearly a yard worse and second gallery. with two weak chases: last gallery and drive to the winning gallery to reach Fahey won the first chase but Nick second gallery. Though he saved the match ball again, and Hobbs kindly put found the grille to save the second and first chase with a fine serve, two errors the ball into the net to end the set 6-3 then hit the grille again to go 30-15 up. in the following rallies put Hobbs at and put RTC one up. Fahey found the net with his return of game point. He whacked the next serve The temperature rose as Nick Wood service and Nick led 40-15. Fahey won into the net to bring up the first deuce and Rob Fahey knocked up. Nick is the next two points to force the first but won the next point with a force. Ben playing exceptionally well: in the deuce and Nick, caught napping by a saved it with beautiful low cross-court French Open two weeks earlier he had cannon-like drive, was forced to hit the backhand to force a second deuce. Ben had match ball against Camden Riviere ball through his legs – straight into the hit the grille to take advantage but in the semi-finals only to miss the grille. Prolonged laughter and Hobbs countered with another force, dedans by an inch. Riviere recovered to applause. Right there Fahey must have bringing about the third deuce. win the match but then lost quickly in realised that it wasn’t his day. Ben again had the advantage with three sets to Fahey in the final. There was another deuce but Nick hit another great low cross but was Nick started off positively here, the winning gallery again with ease to thwarted when Hobbs hit a winner to moving faster than you could think take the game and lead 3-1. force the fourth deuce. Ben remained possible. His reactions were sharp This report is already too long and as, focused, went ahead with a drive to the enough to return the nastiest of bounces much as I would like to continue the blow-by-blow account (I have all my notes!), I can report that Nick’s shots An in-form Nick Wood were all working while Fahey, who can (above) beat Rob normally hit the grille with his eyes Fahey (far left), while shut, could find neither the grille nor Ben Matthews (left) the dedans, and frustration started to won his singles before show. Nick’s backhand cuts from the he and Nick added hazard end were wicked in their speed a doubles win over and accuracy and this certainly helped Fahey and Mark Hobbs him on his way to a 6-3 first-set victory. The second set was completely Photographs by different. It appeared as though Fahey Murray Glover decided to move up a gear and from the 4 Head professional Nick Wood on Fahey humbled as RTC top league Wood’s Words how to improve your handicap...

In all my years (and it has the shot selection becomes more Nick Wood leads the RTC charge in the National League as Cambridge’s world champion leaves empty-handed been quite a few now), I always obvious; choose the correct shot hear the same old line: “Why is and the more racket control you my handicap not improving?” will have – and with that, you will first rally he dominated. He hit a few There is no simple solution find more accuracy. grilles and found the dedans, but many but the answer is easy – we all A huge percentage of shots are of his forces were an inch off, rocketing reach our own natural level of about getting the ball back and off the bandeau to give up a bad chase. play with the skills that we have placing it so that our opponents He still won the set 6-1, though, to get been blessed with and with the can’t attack – ie over the net with the nail-biting going again. amount of effort that we put in to two bounces before the back wall. However, this was to be Nick’s night, improving those skills. To improve Only once you have an “easy ball” and the roars of encouragement played our handicap we must improve our do you try a winning shot. their part (he said later) in helping him play, and to improve our play we It may sound like a sales pitch, to perform so well. He took the third set must improve our skills. but the only way to really improve by the scruff of the neck, grabbing the Whereas most players try to hit is to have regular lessons. Within lead in the first game with another the ball harder or put more cut on these lessons, you can work on wonderful force and kept up the the ball, the professionals learn fundamental aspects of technique pressure, winning that game, coming more control and accuracy, and until you are able to retrieve shots back from 15-40 down to win the only through this will your game effectively from most situations. second game as well, rushing through get better. The areas to focus on Every member of the Royal the third to win to 15 and taking the are: movement around the court, Tennis Court could improve their next to lead 4-0. shot selection and racket control. tennis simply by sorting out racket The supporters got noisier and Move well around the court and preparation (and that tip is free)! happier and, it appeared, Fahey got redder in the face with suggestions that he was tiring. He won the fifth game after setting a fine chase of two yards, RTC website relaunch but although he fought hard in the sixth game to get to game ball, Nick forced Some of you will have already noticed the deuce, set two less than sparkling the new look of the club’s website, chases (last gallery and better than which has not only had an aesthetically second gallery) but still gained the pleasing redesign (see right) but has advantage and eventually the game. also expanded massively. Fahey again picked up his game to go Now surfers can not only find out 40-0 up, and although Nick took the details about the game in general and next two points he found the net to give the history and facilities of the RTC, Fahey the game. but members can also check out the It was now 5-2 – was this the Fahey latest results from club competitions, comeback? The tension was high. Nick National League matches and took the first point. Fahey hit two grilles professional tournaments. There’s in a row to lead 15-30. (No more nails to even a very useful calendar of bite). Nick set a chase of two yards and upcoming events. then worse than second gallery. All This is all down to the magnificent change. Fahey failed to beat the first work of Martin Daly, who deserves chase: 30-30. Nick won the next point: great praise for his efforts. If you 40-30, match ball. We all tried not to haven’t discovered the site yet, go to breathe. After a rapid exchange of shots, www.royaltenniscourt.com now. Nick got his racket on the ball, which spiralled high in the air and came down National League latest results into the grille. A spectacular finish to a Since that memorable win over Jamie Douglas bt Ben Matthews 6-5 2-6 historic victory. Nick had won it 6-2 and Cambridge (see left), Nick and Ben have 6-3 had beaten the world champion. Five followed up with wins over Seacourt and Woodman & Douglas lost to Wood & minutes of prolonged applause, and Cambridge’s second team... Matthews 5-8 bloody well deserved, too. PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE 5 November: RTC bt Seacourt 3-0 It was no surprise that Nick and Ben, P W pts Nick Wood bt Daniel Jones 6-2 6-1 their confidence sky-high, would win Royal Tennis Court 4 4 26 Ben Matthews bt Luke Danby 4-6 6-3 6-4 the doubles, which they did with an 8-3 Cambridge 1 5 3 22 Wood & Matthews bt Jones & Danby 8-1 Cambridge 2 2 1 9 scoreline. A great evening at the club 13 November: Cambridge 2 lost to Seacourt 3 1 6 and when word gets around, tickets RTC 1-2 Prested Hall 2 1 5 for future home games should go David Woodman lost to Nick Wood 6-3 Petworth House 4 0 2 within minutes. Martin Bronstein 4-6 1-6 5 The Newport ‘I Can’ tour

... As in ‘I can... at least I think I can... yours!’ An RTC trio go west and test their livers

TC mustered three competitors – taken to a previously unknown part of Oliver Buckley, Virginia Fisher the house where a games room had R and Peter Flood – for the been set up. Oliver and Virginia Newport Handicap Doubles, which variously retired some time after took place in late June. Billets for all 2.30am since neither of us could see three of us were kindly provided by straight and we were in danger of Skip Elliott, a member of the Newport damaging the green baize of the pool club who lives a short walk from the table. What a pair of lightweights! court, which was a great bonus. There is a strong tradition of heroic We all caught the same flight into feats of drinking by RTC touring sides and, since we arrived together, and it should be a matter of record that thought it might be economical to hire a the only RTC member on this occasion car. This might have been true had to uphold this tradition was Peter Oliver Buckley not forgotten which side Flood. Skip managed to put himself to Oliver Buckley, Virginia Fisher and of the car his steering wheel was on and bed around 4.30am, but Peter, inspired Peter Flood practising hard crashed the car into a kerb in Boston at and unable to content himself with the enough speed to dig a large hole in one pitiful performances of his team-mates, of the tyres. continued to roam the house glass in entry to the semi-finals on Sunday as We arrived at the Elliotts’ in time for a hand until about 5.30, when loneliness best of the also-rans, but lost this fairly cook-out and cocktail party in honour clearly got the better of him. What to convincingly to the eventual winners. of our arrival. Many luminaries of the do? Wake somebody up, of course – me, Friday night was filled by a cocktail Newport club attended – only about as it happened – so we spent a pleasant party with extensive canapés at the half of whose names had been forgotten hour or so discussing the feet of clay of hotel next to the club. Saturday was our by OB since the previous year’s various public figures and watching the day off to explore Newport. Skip gave tournament. The Brits busied sun rise before eventually retiring. us a comprehensive tour of the island, themselves making brain-numbing Fortunately, my first match on Friday with views of the major mansions the cocktails for our hosts in a heroic was quite late in the morning. Sadly for town is famous for. In the evening, we attempt to handicap the home pairs. In Peter, his wasn’t. Over most details of had the tournament gala dinner at the place of the usual vodka, we applied this match it is probably fairest to draw New York Yacht Club. A superb buffet liberal quantities of 95% pure grain a discreet veil. A flavour can perhaps be dinner followed drinks and ended with alcohol. The difficulty of our task, gleaned from the statistic that apart professional comedians, a band, and the however, was typified by a formidable from service, Peter managed to get two traditional harmonica duel between elderly Newport lady who took a large balls over the net. Quite how he members of the Newport club. swig of one of these, shook her head managed even this will have to remain Finals on Sunday were followed by sadly and asked me: “Is there actually one of those secrets that heroes of many an invitation from John Murphy – ANY alcohol in these things?” wars prefer to keep to themselves. incoming President of the Newport club Although handicapped, the The afternoon game was better as – to join him for an afternoon’s sailing tournament is divided into three groups Peter now only had to aim at one ball at on a classic 12-metre yacht. These vary – A for under-20s, B for 20–40s and C a time, but sadly he and Virginia did in size, none of which bears any relation for the rest. Virginia and Peter played as not qualify for finals day. OB and David to 12 metres – they are mostly about 75 a pair in the C grade, while Oliver was Enstone were extremely lucky as non- feet long. They were the stalwarts of the teamed up by the club with David qualifiers, to be awarded a wild-card America’s Cup until superseded by the Enstone – a fellow Brit with a J-class. Around 14 of us went, with a background now living near Newport. professional crew of four, and spent a The RTC team and Skip Elliott arranged very pleasant afternoon sailing around to have breakfast with the Enstones Newport Bay in a decent wind. before the tournament began at 9am. Tournament entry this year was down Both pairs put in respectable from the previous year, which is a performances and won most of the shame. It is an excellent tournament at a matches in their groups that day. great court and the players and Evening took us to the Castle Hill organisers are a terrific bunch. I hope restaurant to thank Skip for his that this plug will encourage more RTC excellent hospitality. This did not, players to go in future years. Plus it has however, lead to the early shower and not escaped me that statistically, the bed to which we are all accustomed. more people we have entering, the Several bottles of excellent wine were more chance we have of bringing home produced chez Elliott and we were Doubles action at the Newport club the silverware... Oliver Buckley 6 News from the pros By Nick Wood National RTC shop – Near miss at League fresh stock British Open

On behalf or Ben and myself I would like We now have a new fresh range of RTC As I write this, I am midway through my to thank you for all the support we have clothing in stock, including polo shirts, British Open campaign at Queens. received during our National League shorts, track tops and pants (various Sadly I lost to eventual winner Rob campaign so far. styles and colours), dry fit T-shirts, Fahey in an epic five-set semi-final (he We kicked off the season with a fantastic ¾ ladies’ shorts, long-sleeved tennis was there for the taking but I lost my way win over the Cambridge A team of Rob shirts and shoes ideal for real tennis. during the final set, d’oh!). My partner Fahey and Mark Hobbs, a crushing 7-0 to Manufacturers Grays are now Camden Riviere and I are through to the the RTC team. We were then on the road, manufacturing a pink, lightweight final of the doubles, so there is still hope firstly to my old back yard of Petworth, racket for ladies – I will have one in for some silverware to bring back to RTC. where we again managed a seven-point stock soon for you to check out. Ben had a crushing first-round win haul, and then on to Cambridge B for but came up against an in-form Steve another five points to add to our booty. Virgona in the second round, while Stef On 28 November we set off to Prested Browning Cup had a string of great matches to nearly Hall for the final match for this part of the get through the qualifiers. Stef’s game season. We will post the dates for the next Ben, Stef and I will all be competing has really improved and we hope to keep part of the season soon. at Holyport in this very enjoyable helping him to continue his progress. Please come along to watch our home handicap event for professionals from matches – they have proven to be great 8–12 December. If you want to see if I can evenings and the support given has give owe 30, rec ½ 30 and still win, then And finally... assisted in bringing the best out of both come along to support – I suspect I’m Ben and me. Thank you. going to need it! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stef, Ben and Les for being such wonderful people to work with. Australian Open They have proven to be excellent colleagues. All the pros would like Ben and I are hoping to travel to the Australian Open in Melbourne at the end of to wish the members of RTC a merry January. For Ben this is a great opportunity to gain experience, and for me it’s a Christmas and a wonderful New Year. chance to gain points to qualify for the next World Championship in 2010.  Nick Wood

CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS Editor’s note RTC club nights to try out the game will also be While most of us have been busy welcome (with a supplementary dumping “easy” forehands into the net, losing night pennant matches and A new addition to the RTC club cost of £2 for club racket hire) making early exits from the Lathom calendar this winter is a couple Browne (or is that just me?), it has of club nights: Saturday 20 The evenings will run between been a hectic time on court for our December and Saturday 24 8pm and 11pm. The cost to professionals. January. members who want to play will While Nick Wood and Ben Matthews be just £6 for the whole session, have taken control of the National The planned format is as follows... including lights. League, including a spectacular win The aim of the evenings is for over a Cambridge team led by Rob Fahey (see page 4), there was another l members to come along and have Mainly doubles, with the outstanding effort by an RTC member: organiser to balance the pairings a hit in a relaxed atmosphere, Karen Hird confirmed her arrival at the as far as possible with some with no pressure on their very highest level of the game at the handicap adjustment handicaps! The evenings are French Open in , dispatching l 30 minutes per session, ideal for new members who want Claire Vigrass in her semi-final before including knock-up to get to know the club, how to giving the all-conquering Charlotte l When players come off court score, play doubles etc, as well Cornwallis the fright of her life by they give their names to the as a chance for members to winning the first set of the final. Is the era of Fahey and Cornwallis organiser, so as to be included for socialise with each other. coming to an end, hastened by RTC’s the next available game If the experiment turns out to finest? We shall see. l players of all handicaps will be a success, then the club may Thanks again to all newsletter be welcome well arrange regular monthly club contributors for their help, and merry l friends of members who wish nights through 2009. Christmas to you all. Simon Edmond 7 RTC make most of results British Open B&B stay as rain falls (Queens, 16-25 November) First round: Rod McNaughton bt Matthew Ronaldson 2-6 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2; Jamie Douglas bt Dan Jones Home side prevails in several tight matches to notch 4-6 6-5 3-6 6-5 6-2; Andrew Lyons bt up a convivial win over a visiting and Bath Tom Durack 6-1 6-2 6-0; Tom Weaver bt Peter Wright 6-5 6-2 6-1; David Harms bt Kevin Sheldon 6-4 6-4 6-5; n a relentless November day , Victoria and David Glover worked Mark Hobbs bt Paul Knox 5-6 6-1 6-2 bilious sky turning to drizzle harmoniously to defeat a strong pairing 6-5; Ben Matthews bt Will Burns 6-0 then drenching the chill in of Nick Ponsford and Trish Morris. 6-0 6-1 O Second round: Rob Fahey bt Tennis Court Lane, RTC took battle The final doubles match produced a with Bristol and Bath in a traditional- contest matched only by the first McNaughton 6-3 6-1 6-0; David style club match for the handicapped. singles, as David Glover, with only Woodman bt Ricardo Smith 6-2 6-0 2-6 6-2; Nick Wood bt Douglas 6-2 6-2 With nothing at stake except such pride minimal interference from his partner, 5-6 6-5; Lyons bt Alistair McKeown as our worthy team have left, we volleyed RTC from a parlous 6-1 6-0 6-0; Camden Riviere bt gallantly struggled for six hours condition to contention in the final Weaver 6-2 6-1 6-1; Mike Gooding bt protected from the stormy ravages game. At that point injudicious Harms 5-6 6-4 6-3 6-4; Bryn Sayers bt around the Palace. interventions from your reporter left Hobbs 6-2 6-5 6-5; Steve Virgona bt John Yarnall raced to an early lead RTC stranded 8-7, leaving Anthony Matthews 6-0 6-0 6-1 until B&B’s Peter Probyn tenaciously Sandow and Peter Jones with a happier Quarter-finals:F ahey bt Woodman overhauled him to win 8-7 on the drive home to Bristol. 6-2 6-0 6-3; Wood bt Lyons 6-1 6-1 penultimate point of a cliff-hanger. It was altogether so much more 6-1; Riviere bt Gooding 6-3 6-2 6-2; Victoria Carew Hunt used her highly enjoyable than the gloom of Tennis Virgona bt Sayers 6-0 6-3 6-3 accurate side-wall service to get a Court Lane, Peter Flood catering with Semi-finals:F ahey bt Wood 6-1 5-6 3-6 6-3 6-3; Riviere bt Virgona 2-6 3-6 convincing win over Angela Reichardt. flair, a hint of red and white liquids 6-3 6-4 6-0 The Carew Hunt genes, bolstered by passing willing lips, and to cap it all Final: Fahey bt Riviere 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 the adrenalin of Victoria’s win, jolted RTC came home the winners by six Nick to an equally convincing win over matches to two. Hopefully we will European Open Nick Ponsford, and Peter Flood was repeat the event in future years but a (MCC, 5–9 October) not to be outdone, racing to an 8-1 winning marker has been laid down Semi-finals:Rob Fahey bt Bryn Sayers 6-3 6-4 6-4; Camden Riviere victory over Trish Morris. (and thanks to Ben Matthews, too, for bt Nick Wood 6-1 6-3 6-3 In the doubles John Yarnall fulfilled such a long stint in the marker’s box). Final: Riviere bt Fahey 6-3 6-3 6-2 his earlier promise with some fine John Clark attack, overcoming the opposition and French Open the rooted indolence of his partner 8-4. Note: Our ace match reporter is unwell (or (Bordeaux, 15–21 September) Carew Hunt Flood (no hyphen or even probably is – he’s gone West). We had Semi-finals:Rob Fahey bt Bryn Sayers 6-2 6-1 6-4; Camden Riviere comma) then faced tough opposition thought of asking him to report in absentia bt Nick Wood 5-6 4-6 6-5 6-2 6-3 from a surprisingly fleet-of-foot Peter of the action as usual but decided on this Final: Fahey bt Riviere 6-3 6-0 6-2 Probyn (new supercharged shoes) and one occasion that the report came from Angela Reichardt but prevailed 8-4. somebody actually at the match. Seal Salver Quarter-finals:Brian Rich bt Graham Prain 9-2; Sue Haswell bt Tom Kendall 9-3; Peter Ohlson bt Mike RTC Top Ten The Royal Tennis Seymour 9-8; Bernard Weatherill bt Court Newsletter Richard East 9-6 Leading handicaps Semi-finals:Rich bt Haswell 9-7; November 2008 Ohlson v Weatherill yet to play is published four times De Laszlo Bowl 1. Dave Harms 6.2 a year and welcomes all Semi-finals:Mark Elliot & John 2. Simon Barker 11.7 contributions from members. Sparkes bt David Jeffcoate & John 3. David Watson 12.7 Clarke 8-2; Tom Carew Hunt & Jo Please get in touch by Mason bt Virginia Fisher & John 4. James Sohl 14.8 7 February if you have any Halliday 8-6 5. Buster Mottram 17.2 ideas for the spring issue Final: Carew Hunt & Mason bt Elliot & 6. Michael Bray 18.8 Sparkes 8-7 7. John Ward 19.9 Barker Camm Cup –  Editor: Simon Edmond 8. James Watson 20.0 F Grade 9. Mark McMurrugh 20.9 simonrichardedmond@ Semi-finals:James Pain bt Mike yahoo.co.uk Shattock 6-1 6-5; Oliver Lewis bt 10. Guy Rawstorne 21.2 Stephen Cronk 6-4 6-1

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