rackets Fixture

Professional Singles Championship 2011

Mark Hubbard (Image by Mathew Lloyd, Malvern College)

Professional Singles Championship

The event was held at Malvern, which continues to sparkle in its new paint. The courts have become very popular with players, having been brought into tip-top condition whilst retaining their true playing surfaces. However, since climate control was installed at Malvern the temperature inside the courts and indeed the whole building almost puts Queen€s in the shade!

The first semi final on Saturday was between Ben Snell and Neil Smith, and the gallery was packed. After New York these must be the second biggest galleries in the world, and they are even more comfortable since the refurbishment. Ben certainly gave a fitter but older Neil, who was first seed, an excellent run for his money, and the match went to almost 2 hours, the final result being 3-2 and 16-15 in the final game to Neil. Ben was ruing the box of toffees he had consumed in the Pro shop last week, as he had a match point serving at 2-0 set 3 in that last game.

A surprise win over Chairman Dave Makey put Ryan Tulley into the second semi-final later on Saturday afternoon, and brought him face to face with an on-form Mark Hubbard, the second seed, who relatively promptly despatched him 3-0, ensuring that the Dinner could start on time.

In Sunday€s final, Mark got off to a shaky start, losing the first game, but thereafter the M3 turbo kicked in, and he romped away in impressive form to a 3-1 victory over his former World Doubles partner, Neil.

A superb weekend of Rackets, wonderfully hosted by Tim Roberts and the staff of Malvern College, and kindly sponsored by Neptune Investment Management; and it was widely agreed that the new-look Malvern was an impressive achievement, a considerable amount of work and investment has brought the courts into the modern day without changing their character or playability. It was noticeable that lying in the tea room were three impressive pieces of silverware, proudly displayed by the holders of the Noel Bruce [Ben Bomford and Mark Hubbard], and the Renny cup [Arthur Wakeley], the third being almost the biggest rackets trophy on the circuit, the Professionals Cup - which now resides at Radley with a worthy winner.

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Quarter-finals

N.Smith (New York) bt €H. Angus €(Queen€s) 15-8 15-5

B. Snell (Queen€s) bt R. Wakely (Marlborough) 15-2 15-0

R. Tulley (Montreal) bt D. Makey (Tonbridge) 15-8 15-9

M. Hubbard (Radley College) bt R. Williams (Clifton) 15-3 15-4

Semi-finals:

N.Smith (New York) bt€ B. Snell (Queen€s) 15-11 12-15 9-15 15-3 16-15

M. Hubbard (Radley) bt R. Tulley (Montreal) 15-4 15-9 15-11

Final: Hubbard bt Smith 3-15 15-12 15-3 15-3

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