Cattermull Cup (Handicap Alumni Tournament) 2024

Many of us agreed that we could not remember witnessing such a concentration of close doubles matches in such a short period of time. The closest was probably Wimbledon High playing Marlborough in the quarter final when in a 14 game set marked by Jack, there were 10 '40 alls' in a row and 12 in total. The handicap system appeared to be working well throughout. We also had far more low handicap pairs with the average in the quarter finals at just under 44.

It was great to see some newer names who have not appeared for a while such as Sherborne as well as now regulars returning such as Merchiston Castle, Highgate and Rugby. However, we are still wondering why it is quite so difficult to generate pairs from schools with courts such as Oratory, Canford and Radley. We will keep trying as the entry at 14 this year (after sustaining 3 withdrawals through serious injury) might ideally rise to 20, with 4 groups of 5 teams and 2 qualifying from each. However, on this occasion with 2 qualifying from one group of 3 it was no less competitive as teams from Eton, Marlborough and Wimbledon High had each
won one match; there was some serious count back which ultimately depended upon a head to head score thanks to careful definition of the rules from Will Burns.

In the quarter finals on Sunday Haileybury beat Sherborne, Winchester beat Eton, St Edward's beat Harrow and Marlborough beat Clifton. They were all exceptionally close matches lasting a full hour with the first to 8 games the winner.

In the semis, the average handicap fell to just over 38 and we had some really wonderful tennis. In these semis, Haileybury beat Winchester (who have been so successful over the past few years) in a very close encounter and Marlborough beat St Edward's in an equally close one.

The final was extraordinary in that something of a lead was established by Marlborough at 5-7 which was then reeled in by Haileybury who eventually won 8-7, on yet another 40 all point. However, Marlborough were understandably pretty exhausted, having played 3 matches in relatively quick succession on the day.

The balls were fantastic and the court played beautifully. None of us in the dedans at the time will forget a match point for Wellington which curved off the racket to miss the tambour by an inch to win the match in the only 'ban the tambour' match-up. MURTC is a really true court with good light and I think I speak for all the players when I say that they had a great time.

Quarter Finals:
Simon Heilpern & Hugo Paxton (Haileybury 1) bt Henry Kendal & Will Rydon (Sherborne) 8/6 

Jonathan Potter & Felix Delaforce (Winchester) bt Dominic Delaforce & Jonathan Chattey (Eton) 8/4 

Simon Talbot-Williams & Tony Munsey (St Edwards) bt Giles Stogdon & Sebastien Maurin (Harrow) 8/5 

Stuart Kerr & Nicholas Hewitt (Marlborough) bt Harry Swindon & Nick Esses (Clifton) 8/7

Semi Finals:
Simon Heilpern & Hugo Paxton (Haileybury 1) bt Jonathan Potter & Felix Delaforce (Winchester) 8/6 

Stuart Kerr & Nicholas Hewitt (Marlborough) bt Simon Talbot-Williams & Tony Munsey (St Edwards) 8/3

Final:
Simon Heilpern & Hugo Paxton (Haileybury 1) bt Stuart Kerr & Nicholas Hewitt (Marlborough) 8/7

Kind regards,
Paul Cattermull, Will Burns and Jack Carter