THE ROYAL COURT Photograph by Martin Bronstein AU REVOIR ben matthews heads for See page 4

The Spring Newsletter 2010 Number ninety-one

020 8977 3015 u [email protected] u www.royaltenniscourt.com chairman’s chat y three-year term of office as your honorary am sorry to say that I have no Mchairman comes to an end at the AGM in May. I news on the findings of the I would like to thank you all for the support you have Hegarty review into the funding given me. As I said when I took it on it would be an and expenditure of the Tennis honour, and so it has been. and Association, but we continue with other clubs to urge he board will propose at the AGM that Paddy the T&RA to consider carefully TSweetnam succeeds me. We all believe he will make its expenditure in parallel with an excellent chairman. Meanwhile, for a few more its funding. months it’s business as usual. n page 6 I have explained our offer of the free use e are all very sorry that Ben Matthews left us at the Oof the club rooms on Saturday evenings for a trial Wend of February to take up a position at Bordeaux, period. We have now got a minimal waiting list for where he will get more court time for practice than he membership and I would urge members to use this was able to enjoy at RTC. He has been a delightful opportunity to introduce new members to our game and member of the professional team. In his three years at the historic facilities we have available. RTC he has improved his handicap from -12 to +5, thanks to his own dedication and Nick Wood’s he AGM will be held on Sunday 9 May at 11am. I do outstanding coaching skills. We shall follow Ben’s Thope you will be able to attend as I plan to provide a progress with interest and keep our fingers crossed that modest libation for those present. he can achieve his ambition (more of which on page 4).  Peter Ohlson

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP coming up Favourites Camden Riviere and RTC Steve Virgona suffered no alarms in 17 Mar: RTC 1 v MURTC 1, Nat Lge defeating Ruaraidh Gunn and Bryn 4 Apr: Barker-Camm A Grade Sayers respectively in February to set 9 May: AGM (11am) up an intriguing 13-set final eliminator at Tuxedo in New York state on 18, 20 ELSEWHERE and 21 March. The pair have had so 20 Mar: MCC 1 v RTC 1, Nat Lge many close encounters that few 20–28 Mar: Amateur Singles, Queen’s observers dare pick a winner. Both 23 Mar: T&RA AGM & dinner, Queen’s managed to lose their US Open semi- 18–21 Mar: World Championship final finals the following week. eliminator, Tuxedo Kaut on camera: the chairman The victor will face Rob Fahey 12–19 Apr: World Masters, Queen’s 13–18 Apr: U21/U24 Ch’shps, MURTC takes time off from setting hazard for the title on 4, 6 and 8 May in 20–25 Apr: British Ladies Open, chases to indulge his other passion: Melbourne, again over 13 sets. For Seacourt steeplechases. Fortunately for those more details, click HERE. 4–8 May: World Ch’shp final, Melbourne present, he did not lose his shirt Best in show, Rich in intrigue

ost of us have a basic knowledge of following the 2002 This is not a dusty tome, the rules of popular sports, but the publication of his highly but a really good read. M "DISTURB'D WITH CHACES" history and origin of games passes us by. acclaimed book, The It brings to our attention Thankfully, two players of real tennis Royal Tennis Court: Tennis Courts, Celebrities and Scandals of Yesteryear events from ages when have independently continued to a at the curtain of publicity research the history, the courts (many Hampton Court Palace. was gradually opening long gone), the characters and the The new book brings to and tennis was a sport not matches of a bygone era – and they are vivid life the peaks regularly reported upon. our own RTC members. David Best and and the troughs of You will miss out if you Brian Rich have brought this wealth of popularity of tennis ignore this key milestone fascinating knowledge together in their over the centuries while in the real tennis library. new book, Disturb’d with Chaces. unearthing more than So enjoy, learn a little, In Brian’s case, he is finally putting in 50 courts not previously discover just how much print his extensive work rediscovering known. It charts their David Best and Brian Rich £1 was worth in the 16th real tennis through articles written in various uses and abuses century, astound your The Field from its first publication in and brings further life to friends, and treat yourself 1853; and for David Best it is a home players and key figures and stories to this wonderfully produced book. for research he continues to this day, of those times. John Edwards 2 News from the pros By Nick Wood

IRTPA National League D grade against Owen Saunders 6/2 6/5, played, making RTC’s representation a – Sponsored by Shilton, and is yet to play the C grade final. healthy six of the 16 players involved. Sharpe & Quarry It is refreshing to see RTC playing Wednesday 17 March 2010 Varsity match such an active role in the development of Premier Division: Royal Tennis Court vs This year saw a historic Varsity match juniors, and it would be great to see more Middlesex University Real Tennis Club between the Oxford and junior members coming through the ranks. Come along and watch world champion teams, with the closest men’s match in Rob Fahey in action. Tickets on sale now. decades seeing Oxford emerge as the Shop eventual winners, 4–2. Would you like to purchase a Royal Tennis Professional team The Cambridge girls triumphed again Court extra-tec racket? Reinforced frame, So, young Ben is leaving us! As of the end with another strong side dominated by the painted in blue with RTC decoration. And of February, Ben has departed to sunnier presence of one Karen Hird – but she was how about an RTC cable knit (cricket) climes in Bordeaux. We will miss his not the only Hird present, with Sarah and sweater? Off white cable knit sweater with enthusiasm and dedication with which he Robert playing their respective parts for RTC coloured trim and emblem. Please let approached his role here at RTC. Oxford and Cambridge. James Watson, the pros know if you are interested as I will In two years I have seen Ben grow in Sam Halliday and Charlotte Barker also require a minimum number to proceed. stature (!), maturity and professionalism. His handicap improved from 3 to an amazing +5 and this season has some Head professional Nick Wood notable victories over yours truly and Wood’s Words on the fine art of serving Ruaraidh Gunn. Ben is well on the way to becoming a top player. With the extra he serve is more than just sort of shot your opponent hits in court time available in Bordeaux, he can T putting the ball into play. The return, then you are more than continue his training, at the same time as player at the service end has the likely to take advantage of being at taking on the running of the club. opportunity to serve in such a way the service end. In the meantime Stef, Les and I will be as to prevent the opponent from Service selection and execution coping until we find a replacement. Job attacking the first shot. are the most important aspects of adverts have been posted and we have received a large number of applicants. We The service player can also use the serve. Serve badly and you’re hope to be back to our full compliment of the service as an opportunity to in all sorts of trouble! professionals as soon as practicable. persuade the opponent to return in a certain way. For example Tips Tournaments – serve a good railroad and your l Try to make your opponent Events have been progressing well. In opponent is likely to return to your return to your strengths. the Lathom Browne we are reaching volley; serve a short sidewall and l Carefully select two to three the final matches of the grades, and the Barker-Camm Cup grades have been your opponent is likely to return serves for each game. hotly contested. Fraser Shorey has been cross court to the main wall side of l Concentrate on trajectory and playing astonishingly well, making it the court. If you can dictate what accuracy – not spin and pace. through to two grade finals. He won the

Weatherill wins Seal Salver CAROL SERVICE 2009 he Annual Carol Service took place onsidering the length of time it match, and he kept an admirable length on Tuesday 15 December in took for the Seal Salver of 2008- with his shots to win three separate T Chapel Royal. The lessons were read 09 to be completed, the smart games from 0-40 down and retain his by Peter Ohlson, Lindsay Hatchett C and the chaplain. As usual, the money would have been on title with a stylish performance. Pheidippides to nick it. The final score of 9/4 did not do service was followed by eats and drinks in the club rooms. However, the fleet-footed Greek was Paddy justice, but he will be back... Although the number attending was nowhere to be seen on final day – an greatly down compared with other Achilles heel seemed the most likely years, those who came enjoyed the explanation. A relief, surely, for evening as much as ever. defending champion Bernard DAVID SEELIG Weatherill, for even he would have struggled to give up a handicap allowance of around 2,480 points in an Notes from a Duffer interface event in which a player’s handicap is I’ve used the shaft, the frame, determined by his or her age. my knuckles Awaiting Bernard in the final was And many other things Paddy Jenkins, claiming a handicap But oh! You can’t imagine how advantage of 8, which was marginally my heart sings less than the real difference between When the ball hits the strings. the two. Despite Paddy’s best efforts, Youth over experience: Bernard Martin Bronstein Bernard was always in control of the Weatherill with Paddy Jenkins 3 A new beginning for rising star Ben

He has worked position as part of the team at RTC. It is ranking points to guarantee my under two of the with great regret that I leave the club seeding for tournaments in the future. greats at RTC, that has propelled me from being an What many of you may not know is and now Ben average Joe in real tennis to a top-eight that Nick has been up with me at player in the world. Giving me the 6.45am four days a week, as a ball Matthews has opportunity to move up to and machine. He gets up, strolls on court departed for have an experience at the biggest club and hits me whichever balls I want for Bordeaux and a in the world is something for which I an hour, and has never grumbled about fresh adventure. will always be indebted to the club. being up early, nor failed to answer any Here he shows his gratitude for From the moment I started working of my questions. Twenty months’ those who have helped him... here in July 2006 (is it that long!) I was worth of coaching from the classiest made to feel welcome by everybody, player in the world has had a huge and it certainly made the process of impact, and I cannot emphasise how he year has started with a bang for moving away from home much easier. much he has helped my game, not just me and I have been given a huge My time with the Ronaldsons was on the court but off the court as well. T opportunity, one which I have certainly an experience! Moving into a I remember when he said to me that I decided to grasp with both hands. The family was quite a daunting task but it had to plan my training for the three opportunity is to travel down to actually helped to settle in as, with the months leading up to the US Open in Bordeaux and take up the position of help of a surrogate mother (Les) and 2008. “Plan?” I said. “What on earth are head professional there, along with a the wit and charm of Ben, with Chris’s close friend and training partner. experience, you soon feel at home and “Twenty months’ worth of My ambition is to be the real tennis are invited in with open arms. I am world champion, with the initial target extremely grateful to them for making coaching from the classiest being 2012, although I’ll happily take the first few months bearable enough player in the world has had the title at any stage of my career! The for me to want to stay! Strangely a huge impact, and I cannot past 20 months with the new enough, having effectively “swapped” professional team have provided me jobs with Ben Ronaldson, I always see emphasise how much Nick with a great platform to achieve this, him when I go back home to Bridport has helped my game” culminating in a fantastic end to 2009, and advise him where to eat, who to beating two top-five players (yes, Nick talk to etc. Wood being one of them!) and making My tennis instantly improved after you talking about?” His reply was: “If the first major tournament final of my taking the plunge and moving to RTC. you come down tomorrow at 7am career. Surely, then, it seems silly to My handicap went from 12 to 4 in the without a plan, I won’t come on court leave this all behind and move on to first six months and then dropped with you from now until the unknown pastures? another 2 points in the next year. tournament starts.” Well, I am at a stage in my career It is in the past 20 months, however, I initially thought that was a bit where I know what I want to work on that my game has gone from strength harsh, but I went away and turned up and what I believe will help me towards to strength. This is mainly down to with some scribbles the next morning. achieving my ultimate goal and what I three factors: Nick Wood, Stef King and After practice we then went to the pro need to do now is work on these the Young Professionals Fund. I cannot shop and worked on this plan for two aspects religiously. Moving to express how grateful I am to all these hours (out of working hours, of Bordeaux, where court time is plentiful, parties for taking the time and effort to course!) until I had every hour on court I can hide myself away for a year and invest in me financially, personally and planned for the next three months. That work on the things I want to, coming with their time. In the past 18 months I day I learned so so much and it is this back a much more complete package. have gone from a 2 handicap to a +5, help that has had a huge influence on This does not, however, come without made my first ever major tournament my results in the past few months.

sacrifice, and for me that is leaving my final and gathered enough world  Continued on page 5 > Photographs by Martin Bronstein

efore this season Ben Matthews was week by a stunning win over Ruaraidh Upwardly Bjust one of a number of players Gunn in the IRTPA Championships in jostling for position behind an established Manchester and a first major final. mobile group of five or six players at the top of In recent weeks Ben has captured his the world order. He was taking care of first Open doubles title, pairing up with He has improved steadily business against ‘lesser’ players but Steve Virgona to deny Camden Riviere since coming to RTC, but this could not defeat any of the elite. and Tim Chisholm in the US Open. He past winter has seen the most That all changed in November – and lost out to Bryn Sayers in the singles his first high-profile victim was his own quarter-finals but still gained enough significant advancements in boss. A defeat of Nick Wood in the British ranking points to get an official ranking the fortunes of Ben Matthews Open at Queen’s was followed the next of eighth in the world. 4 A new beginning for rising star Ben

< Continued from page 4 before work in the gym together. If gather up the world ranking points Nick has also given me the chance to there is something Stef doesn’t lack, it’s that have got me to No 8 in the world. travel and practice on a weekly basis motivation, and I have certainly felt Nick helped to restructure the Pro by giving me three days off per week! that rub off on me – the benefits have Fund about a year ago and that also This has enabled me to pit my wits been felt for a while now. On that cold, helped me become more organised in against others on a regular basis and dark morning, instead of staying in the way of setting up plans for the year experience different training partners bed, you’ll find me on court practising, ahead and then approaching the fund and courts, which is so valuable. or out for a run or in the gym. with facts and figures that made it So Nick, I thank you, obviously for So Stef, I thank you for all the much easier for them to invest in me. the court time and coaching, but patience and time you’ve given me in All the investment could not have been mainly for getting up early every week the park, wasting your time running at done without you, the members and and for the experience you have given my slow pace and helping me along. your contributions to the Pro Fund. me off the court, in terms of planning For coming to the gym with me and For those of you who have known and being game-savvy. This has helping me with some obscure me for the last 3½ years, the benefits changed my mindset and completely are obvious. A handicap leap from turned me around as a player. -12 to +5 doesn’t happen without Many of you may know that Stef is financial support and the members quite into his fitness. Well when he have given me this by contributing to walked into the pro shop, I thought the the fund. Without the fund, trips to club had appointed a drill sergeant. would not have happened; Not long after we’d all started together, going to America twice a year would we went for a team run and I not have happened; access to gyms remember thinking that if that was a with the required equipment would sign of things to come, I wouldn’t last not have been possible. I am so so long in the job! grateful to you all for supporting this Stef has taught me a lot of self- fund, and the help it has given me is discipline with regards to healthy there for all to see. living and it has helped my mindset in I hope the Pro Fund can continue to terms of my diet, keeping in shape and support the pros at RTC and I’m sure it becoming much more driven towards will be easier without me gobbling up achieving my goals. I remember Stef all the funds! Anybody interested in walking into the pro shop one morning supporting this fantastic setup should and saying abruptly: “Whose speak to Nick when they are next in, or doughnut is that in the kitchen?” (It email the club. wasn’t mine, it really wasn’t.) He then I want to conclude by reiterating how proceeded to say: “We’re not having workouts, and for all the motivation much I have enjoyed working at this that rubbish in here,” and threw it in and discipline you have given me club and the people that I have had the the bin. Since then, no doughnuts have over the past 18 months – not to pleasure of working with. I am looking appeared anywhere near the pro shop mention teaming up on Nick on a forward to using the help I have had and I’ve never looked back. Wednesday afternoon. and the knowledge I have gained to Stef has been out running round Also, some of you may not have have a real stab at achieving my goals, Bushy Park with me on countless heard of the Young Professionals and I thank you all for being so occasions, and he’s always done it at Development Fund. It is a fund set up supportive during my time here. my pace and tried to up that pace bit to support the professionals at RTC Also, if anybody wants a nice by bit over the weeks. We managed to and aids their development. For me, relaxing, wine-fuelled tennis weekend, take five minutes off it by the end. We this has come mainly in the shape of Bordeaux is the perfect club, with its also spent most Wednesday mornings airfares to tournaments, to help me fantastic pros (pardon the plug!).

PRO tournaments the final, the talented James Virgona. Doubles – Seacourt Silver In the first major of 2010, an Stout defeated Bryn Sayers . Winners: Nick Wood & Steve Racquet (handicap) injured Rob Fahey limped to IRTPA Championships Virgona. Finalists: Rob Winner: Conor Medlow. the Australian Open final in Winner: Rob Fahey. Fahey & Ruaraidh Gunn. Finalist: Matt Ronaldson. Hobart but was unable to Finalist: Ben Matthews. Australian Open US Open compete with a healthy IRTPA Satellite T’ment Singles – Winner: Ruaraidh Singles – Winner: James Ruaraidh Gunn in the final. Winner: Rod McNaughtan. Gunn. Finalist: Rob Fahey. Stout. Finalist: Bryn Sayers. Then came the US Open in Finalist: Craig Greenhalgh. Doubles – Winners:Rob Doubles – Winners: Steve New York. Oddly, Camden British Open Fahey & Ruaraidh Gunn. Virgona & Ben Matthews. Riviere and Steve Virgona Singles – Winner: Rob Finalists: Chris Chapman & Finalists: Tim Chisholm & both lost their semi-finals. In Fahey. Finalist: Steve Kieron Booth. Camden Riviere. 5 Marauders on tour: USA Richard East, the Bill Bryson of RTC, describes his Marauders team’s exhausting three-leg tour of the eastern seaboard

n 10 November, I and my team that Robin engaged in conversation again, plus Phil Shannon, who I winged our way across the with his partner Warren Dempsey and imagine does most of the work. O Atlantic, fearlessly into the teeth his wife Karen (who used to be married By this time, the ever emollient James of an approaching hurricane, to compete to Peter O’Toole, as she kept telling us), Wilson had joined us fresh from his in the Calhoun Witham trophy in and offered her the chance to travel on holiday in St Lucia, and put himself Aiken, and then to carry the Marauders with him to Honolulu for a few days, about a bit in his oleaginous way, flag to Washington and Philadelphia. which offer she graciously accepted. which is not a bad description for his In Aiken, the first words spoken to We await the full unexpurgated story tennis earlier in the day. But our me in the club were, without any prior of what happened next from Robin stalwarts now faded away, leaving form of greeting, “Oh my God, he’s when he returns from the rest home. James and myself to take the train to back. Homeland Security has failed John, meanwhile, was thwarted in Philadelphia for the Jimmy Dunn again.” So I knew I was among family. the semi-final when his partner tournament and four nights in the After the obligatory induction of an crippled himself to ensure he didn’t Etruscan palace that is the Racket Club all-night training session at the Hotel have to play any more when he could of Philadelphia. Aiken with my good friend Kishan be off fixing people’s computers And what a good time we had of it. Shah (the owner), first up on Wednesday (apparently much more fun). Tennis every day, a huge building with was the fragrant Victoria Carew Hunt, Friday brought a respite, when your infinite resources at our disposal, a partnered with the singing cowboy goodself, Robin Mulcahy, and John swimming pool on the third floor, my Jesse Young. But the yodelling did not East all progressed. Another night’s account for James to plunder, great old prevail, and she went down to a training, and all went down blazing friends to practise with in the rooftop corporate bandit from Washington with all hands on deck on Saturday, court, and the best mid-sized east-coast (whom I have since invited on to our before yet another magnificent party in city the Americans have for us to Boomerang team for 2011); but little bro the balmy evening on the lawn at the disport ourselves in. Johnny East took on the challenge of club – and then a polo match specially You may have noticed not much playing with that madman Duncan put on for us visitors. being said about our tennis while we Rutherford and nobly mastered his And so yours truly girded himself for were there. Least said, soonest mended; errant tendencies to end the day one up. the effort of getting his unruly crew to James blew us out of our first match to Sadly the next day was a disaster for Washington for the next leg. ensure that we lost by a point, and then your court representatives, after After a few mishaps, we finally all the next match we were set up against another evening’s heavy training, as assembled in the capital. Ian soon the same pair of overachievers we had first Ian Mathers, who trains very became Temple Grassi’s (our host) best had such an unpleasant time with in seriously, then Victoria, then yours friend, and between them for the next Washington. Next time, I will be more truly (and playing with the holder, 36 hours they drowned out all other careful whom I play against. John Murphy of Newport, at that) and conversation anybody else might have On Sunday we pulled our shattered then Robin Mulcahy (“the handicaps attempted. Temple ruthlessly stitched selves together and gradually went were rigged!”) all went down in swift us up 4-3 by using a combination of home. I await my bar bill from the succession, effectively ensuring that serious upwardly mobile strivers and racket club with some foreboding, but only John East could progress to the rapid improvers at our game to ensure otherwise I can assure all my readers knockout stages from the round robin. that we never had a chance. It was nice that, God willing, somehow or other, I think it was some time on this day to see Ivan Ronaldson (now married) we will be going again.

CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS l CLUB NEWS Saturday nights l Secondly, to see the court fully used on they were all seriously intrigued by the a Saturday night, when there are usually subtleties and challenges of our game. Chairman Peter Ohlson writes: very few bookings. I hope this helps to clarify the spirit and I would like to set out the board’s thinking l Thirdly, to encourage members to bring the intentions of the offer. We don’t wish behind the offer to members to use the potential players along for a convivial to be prescriptive about the number of club rooms without charge on Saturday evening in rather special surroundings. courts booked, but three would seem to evenings. In essence we are trying to My wife and I hosted just such an be a fair outlay. If we stick to the spirit of achieve a combination of three objectives: evening recently and, ably assisted by the concept there would no more than a l Firstly, and most importantly, to Stefan, got five people on court for more dozen attending, so as to give most a promote real tennis and particularly the than two hours, and I very much hope chance for some live experience on court. RTC to prospective players who have this will result either in some new There will be no visitors’ fees or spare either never played or have lapsed. members or at least some evangelists for racquet charge on these evenings. Currently the waiting list for new the game. It was a completely new We’ll try it for a period and assess members to join is a matter of weeks. experience for all the newcomers and the results. 6 national The Lord’s flayers league tables The ubiquitous Richard East modestly takes us through PREMIER DIVISION a remarkable winning run on his recent travels P W Pts MURTC 1 5 4 25 ver this three-day weekend Sharp (5/1) and Simon Martin (4/4, Queens Club 1 6 3 24 handicap doubles tournament at 40/30 on the bell), on their way to a RTC 1 6 3 21 Lord’s, Tony Crook and Richard final win over David Pearmain and MCC 1 5 2 11 O Seacourt 1 4 1 10 East, both sometime stalwarts of RTC Paul Cattermull (previous winners) by (Tony now plays mostly at Holyport), 9 games to 3. DIVISION 1 as well as incidental members of the Splendid event; excellent lunches, Radley 1 6 4 30 MCC (and, not coincidentally, methinks, and a very good dinner on the Friday Oxford 1 4 2 12 both alumni of St Paul’s School and of night in the committee room, addressed RTC 2 3 1 7 Oxford University), swept past the by Keith Bradshaw, the Tasmanian chief Petworth 1 3 1 7 great and good of cricket’s (and, as executive, who assured us he is not DIVISION 2 Lord’s would have it, real tennis’s) about to spend £400m of the members’ Cambridge 1 6 5 31 premier ground to lift the Atkinson/ funds raising the capacity of the ground RTC 3 5 4 25 Sharp trophy on Sunday 7 February. from 23,000 to 25,000, or whatever the Petworth 2 7 3 23 The combination of Crook’s numbers are. All MCC members at RTC Seacourt 2 7 3 22 magnificent crosscourt returns of should try to play in this one in future Hatfield/MURTC 4 2 14 service over, into or round the net, and years (Nick, this means you). Canford 1 4 1 9 a mean drag service, supported by And, serendipitously for said East, Holyport 1 3 0 0 East’s random blocking and returning the very next evening, Monday 8 DIVISION 5 of anything hit towards him into the February at Holyport, he won another Prested Hall 2 5 4 28 rafters, on to the penthouse or title, securing the Brasenose Strollers Oratory 2 3 3 17 occasionally into the dedans, proved Real Tennis Challenge Championship Canford 2 3 2 14 too much of a confusion for the Lord’s for 2009, when Robert Peel conceded RTC 4 5 2 14 regulars, who all spent too much time 2009 was over with Richard two sets up Oxford 3 5 1 13 conspiring as to how to defeat each in their best-of-13-set match. 2010 may Moreton Morrell 2 4 2 10 Petworth 3 3 0 2 other while paying insufficient bring a stronger challenge. Never before attention to the new kids, aged 70-plus has, and never again will, your scribe DIVISION 6 and 66, on the block. won/win two titles in two days. RTC 5 7 6 38 Thus Tony and Richard, while But then, flying Icarus-like too close Cambridge 6 6 5 31 pleased to see them go down in a welter to the sun, he was sent crashing to earth MCC 3 7 4 28 of discordant recrimination, were on Wednesday 10 February, when he MURTC 2 6 4 24 spared playing against Sam Leigh, top-edged an innocuous return of serve Oxford 4 6 2 18 Canford 3 5 3 17 Rodger Davis, Roger Pilgrim and from Dr Feel Good Mulcahy into his Cambridge 5 6 0 8 Bomber. They still had to creep past eye and had to retire hurt. Oratory 3 5 0 4 Josh Farrall (7/2), cup donor Brian Sic transit Gloria Mundi. DIVISION 7 Oxford 5 6 6 34 Prested Hall 3 7 4 30 National League roundup MURTC 3 7 4 28 RTC 6 6 4 24 he National League is entering the Rob Fahey, who is playing for the Newmarket 1 8 3 21 crucial closing fixtures, and all of Middlesex University (Burroughs) club Oratory 3 6 2 20 T RTC’s seven teams are still in the this season. As well as being a key MCC 4 7 2 20 hunt for honours. match, it’s also a chance to assess the Radley 2 5 3 19 In the Premier Division, sponsored by fitness of the world champion less than Holyport 2 7 2 18 Shilton Sharpe Quarry, Nick Wood and two months away from his title defence. Hatfield 2 7 3 17 Ben Matthews have had some In the lower divisions, our Division 2 DIVISION 8 memorable moments in a topsy-turvy team of Stef King, David Watson and Canford 4 4 3 21 season. Nick bounced back from a Simon Barker are enjoying a fine Petworth 4 6 3 21 heavy defeat on home turf by Bryn season, with only our own Robert Hird RTC 7 6 3 21 Sayers of Queen’s to avenge that loss in (playing for Cambridge) having a better Moreton Morrell 3 6 2 20 the away fixture, while Ben has beaten record than Stef. The Division 6 team Oxford 6 5 3 19 the wily Andrew Lyons both home and are flying atop the table, with Charles Queens 4 6 3 19 away and signed off his RTC career Ashbourne and Fred Satow battling it Prested Hall 4 4 2 14 Oratory 4 5 2 12 with a thumping 6/3 6/0 win over a out for the accolade of the division’s fine player in MCC’s David Woodman. most valuable player. And keep an eye (The final league positions will determine Next up for Nick (and presumably out in Division 8, where a team that the line-ups for semi-finals and finals to be Peter Wright in Ben’s place) on 17 started slowly is finding its stride, played in May/June. Results on page 8) March is the small matter of a visit from especially the impressive Chris Gotla. 7 Autumn Night Pennant results National League he crack outfit of John Dagnall, Premier Division Owen Saunders and Martin Daly MURTC 1 beat RTC 1, 2/1 Robert Fahey beat Nick Wood 6/2, 6/0; finished strongly to land the Rod McNaughtan lost to Ben Matthews TAutumn Night Pennant title (handicaps 2/6, 2/6; Fahey/McNaughtan beat Wood/ 30–45), downing table-toppers Chris Matthews 8/3. Gotla, Julian Sheraton-Davis and Paul Queen’s 1 lost to RTC 1, 1/2 Bryn Sayers lost to Nick Wood 4/6, 6/3 Newton in the final. 4/6; Andrew Lyons lost to Ben Matthews After Julian had nudged the 4/6, 4/6; Sayers/Lyons beat Wood/ favourites ahead with a tight 6/5 win Matthews 8/5. RTC 1 beat Seacourt 1, 2/1 over Owen, Chris easily took care of Ben Matthews beat Matthew Ronaldson John before Martin controlled his game 6/3 6/2; Nick Wood lost to Chris Bray 1/6 3/6; Wood/Matthews beat Ronaldson/ with Paul to leave the match finely Night hawks: John Dagnall, balanced at 2/1. Bray 8/3. Owen Saunders and Martin Daly RTC 1 lost to MCC 1, 1/2 In the first doubles match, John and Ben Matthews beat David Woodman 6/3 Owen raced into a 5/1 lead, only for the grand manner with an unstoppable 6/0; Peter Wright lost to Jamie Douglas Chris and Julian to doggedly claw back force into the dedans by Owen. 5/6 4/6; Wright/Matthews lost to Woodman/ Douglas 4/8. the advantage and stun their With the number of sets won thus Division 1 opponents 6/5 to give their team a 3/1 tied at 3/3, the teams could only be Oxford 1 beat RTC 2, 2/1 lead. The underdogs stepped up a gear, separated on games won, John, Owen Radley 1 beat RTC 2, 3/0 however, completing 6/1 and 6/2 and Martin having a clear 30/23 Division 2 victories in the final two doubles margin and therefore overall victory. Holyport 1 lost to RTC 3, 0/3 RTC 3 beat Canford 1, 2/1 matches. The second match finished in Martin Daly Seacourt 2 lost to RTC 3, 1/2 Division 5 Moreton Morrell 2 beat RTC 4, 2/1 Canford 2 beat RTC 4, 3/0 Raiders from Rhode Island RTC 4 beat Prested Hall 2, 3/0 Prested Hall 2 beat RTC 4, 3/0 Richard East on a hastily arranged match vs Newport, Petworth 3 lost to RTC 4, 1/2 who stood in gamely for a snowbound Manchester team Division 6 RTC 5 beat Canford 3, 3/0 RTC 5 beat Oxford 4, 2/1 1. Paddy Jenkins and Simon Edmond 4. Peter Flood induced an unbelievable MCC 3 lost to RTC 5, 1/2 had a wonderful ding-dong, but Paddy series of errors from Keith Smith. Oratory 3 lost to RTC 5, 0/3 is much too much of an English Perhaps Smudge’s nerves had been shot Canford 3 lost to RTC 5, 0/3 RTC 5 beat MCC 3, 2/1 gentleman to relish the transfer to the on learning of the profession of his two Division 7 Newport team. Last-gasp stuff. Italian/American opponents. Oratory 4 beat RTC 6, 3/0 2. Peter Ohlson tore into his opposition 5. Oliver Buckley and Dr Feel Good Newmarket 1 beat RTC 6, 2/1 chairman John Murphy. However, at Mulcahy were their usual efficient RTC 6 beat Newmarket 1, 3/0 RTC 6 beat Holyport 2, 2/1 5/0 he became confused by the changing selves; No Knees (as was) is lethal now Division 8 odds and handicaps. I could sympathise he can both turn round and move. RTC 7 beat Prested Hall 4, 2/1 about the way the marker treated him, 6. Ian Mathers and Peter Ohlson Petworth 4 lost to RTC 7, 1/2 if I could remember who it was. overcame the mafiosi at huge risk to RTC 7 beat Queen’s 4, 2/1 3. Ian Mathers had the better of Skip themselves to ensure the match win. Barker-Camm Cup Elliott from the off. The tennis was 7. Smith and East slid from a dominant Grade F final:D orian Drew beat David Glover 6/1 6/2. Grade E final: David pretty random, with not nearly enough 7/4 to a 7/8 loss, which had Feel Good Lawrence beat Helen-Frances Pilkington interference from the marker this time. dancing around in glee. 6/2 6/2. Grade D final: Fraser Shorey beat Owen Saunders 6/2 6/5. Grade C finalists: Fraser Shorey & Tom RTC Top Ten The Royal Tennis Cameron. Grade B finalists: Fred Satow & Geoffrey Russell. Leading handicaps Court Newsletter Autumn Night Pennant Final February 2010 John Dagnall/Owen Saunders/Martin Daly beat Chris Gotla/Julian Sheraton- 1 Hugh Latham 2.4 is published four times a year Davis/Paul Newton 8/6. 2 Peter Wright 4.7 and the editor would love any Singles: Saunders lost to Sheraton- Davis 5/6; Dagnall lost to Gotla 2/6; Daly 3 Dave Harms 6.2 contributions from members. beat Newton 6/2. Doubles: Dagnall/ 4 Robert Hird 7.0 Please get in touch if you have Saunders lost to Gotla/Sheraton-Davis 5/6; Dagnall/Daly beat Gotla/Newton 6/1; 5 David Watson 11.3 any ideas for the summer issue Saunders/Daly beat Sheraton-Davis/ 6 Marcus Ward 12.2 Newton 6/2. 7 Simon Barker 13.2 Editor: Simon Edmond Seal Salver 8 Nick Hatchett 16.3 Semi-finals:B ernard Weatherill beat simonrichardedmond@ Brian Rich 9/5; Paddy Jenkins beat 9 James Watson 17.2 Graham Prain 9/6. 10 Mike Bray 18.1 yahoo.co.uk Final: Weatherill beat Jenkins 9/4. 8