Brodie Cup 2014
The final of the Brodie Cup took place at the neutral venue of Hyde Real Tennis Club. The match was between Middlesex University Real Tennis Club and Radley Real Tennis Club. It took place on Sunday 16th March, following an extensive pre-final dinner on the Saturday night. Yuri Kugler said he wasn’t going to drink then downed several double vodka and cokes and Johnny Bruce found the locally brewed real ale very much to his liking.
Results (Middlesex first)
45 Doubles: Dave Davies & Irina Dulbish beat Bryan Brown & Mike Armstrong 6/0 6/3
Dave and Irina complete an unbeaten campaign with a comfortable win against opponents who never really got into the game, troubled by excellent retrieving and volleying from the Middlesex pair.
50 Singles: Yuri Kugler beat Maggie Henderson-Tew 6/2 6/2
Yuri also completed an unbeaten campaign with another comprehensive win in the 50 singles – several outrageous dead nicks including 4 in 6 serves at one point.
30 Singles: Jonathan Conway beat Nick Brown 6/5 6/2
Skipper Jonathan Conway brought home the Brodie Cup giving Middlesex an unassailable 3-0 lead by beating his opponent comfortably after a tight first set.
40 Singles: Johnny Bruce lost to 2/6, 2/6 Nino Merola
Johnny Bruce has had a couple of tough gigs in the Brodie Cup this year. He was giving away 30 years, several yards of pace in the final and although he competed well, the result was never in doubt.
35 Doubles: Rupert Derham & Simon McLoughlin beat Vern Cassin & Jeremy Gibb 6/5, 6/2
With the party already well under way, the final doubles match was over mercifully quickly – the spectators in the dedans were already fortified by several glasses of champagne, and weren’t in the mood for a three setter. Rupert and Simon obliged. Middlesex University win 4/1, winning the Brodie Cup for the second time (the first time was in 2005). After a number of tense wins in earlier rounds, MURTC ended up winning relatively comfortably. Thanks to the travelling support (Will Burns, Ged Eden, Frank Goulbourn and various Derham associates) and to Hyde for being excellent hosts.