Robert Wakely - Marlborough
The Rackets Gallery was packed to overflowing on Sunday 2nd December to enjoy an Exhibition Match to open the day’s celebrations at the College to mark Robert’s forty years at Marlborough.In this exciting display of top-class Rackets, Robert’s most successful School Pair, Guy Barker and Ali Robinson, won the deciding game against OMs Richard Spender and Charlie McKelvey, with Robert, as ever, officiating from the Marker’s Box with his trademark efficiency and authority.It was so fitting that Guy and Ali should be there on court to demonstrate, in the most elegant way possible, by the virtuosity of their play, how much they appreciate all that Robert has done since 1978 to foster the Game at Marlborough, and his crucial contribution in bringing on the raw talent that he has honed into classy pairs over the last four decades.‘Barker and Robinson’ are legendary as the only school pair ever, having won the School’s Doubles, to then go on, in Senior Rackets, to win together as a pair the Amateur Doubles, the Open Doubles and the World Doubles.
At the conclusion of the Exhibition Match, everyone was invited onto court for a photograph, and then the players and guests, including many of Robert’s fellow School Professionals, repaired to the Adderley Room in College for drinks, prior to a splendid luncheon at which Robert spoke eloquently, with his customary passion, about his time at Marlborough, with a special thank you to his wife, Sally.David Watson, OM and Chairman of the T&RA, and Guy Barker, and master-in-charge, Mike Bush, each spoke about their gratitude for Robert’s commitment and dedication to the School’s Rackets players over his first 40 years at Marlborough!A delightful occasion, enjoyed by everyone.
