Category E Open Championship 2020
Category E - March 2020
What a weekend of first class Real Tennis with the 40-49 handicappers across the country competing for the title. In the 40-44 category Alex Brodie of Hatfield beat Charlie Foreman of Queen's 6/3 6/1 to set up a final against Chris Manson of Radley who had come through as victor against Clive Turner of Prested 6/1 6/5 in a great semi final. The final was played late into Sunday evening as almost all the previous matches had gone to three sets or taken nearly an hour and half to complete which is a complement on the accuracy of the RTO handicap system. Alex Brodie came out strong in the final attacking the serve and loose balls but Chris Manson just got better and better and soaked up all the pressure shots and played an attacking and consistent game himself to win the match and title 6/2 6/0.
45-49 category. WRTC’s Bill Sproul was on duty for the club and didn’t disappoint, Bill won an especially tough two hour semi final against Ben Geyteenbeek of Cambridge 6/1 5/6 6/4 to set up a final with Tim Harper of Hatfield who had beaten Mark Piper of Holyport 6/4 6/3 in a great match. Both players were feeling the aches and pains of playing two consecutive days of competitive Tennis but neither backed down - Tim won the first set 6/4 only for Bill to rampage through the second set 6/0 to level the match. The third set was nip and tuck but at 4 all Bill dominated the service end and served out the match 6/4 to win the title!
The T&RA thanked Danny Jones and Wellington College for holding the event with typical enthusiasm and style, especially in view of the national uncertainly over the COVID-19 pandemic.
