tennis Fixture

* Cattermull Cup (Handicap Alumni Tournament) 2022

The Cattermull Cup was once again fiercely contested at MURTC to discover the Schools' Alumni Handicap Doubles champions for 2022. With a very congested fixtures schedule this October weekend, entries were slightly lower than usual. However, that did not stop the players who participated playing some fantastic doubles with many matches supplying highlights that will live long in the memory.

One such instance occured in the Shrewsbury v Malvern group match when all 3 targets were hit in successive points towards the end of the match. Just before the final point - at match ball, Johnny Saunders said within earshot of the dedans "all we need now is a winning gallery".

With that, he duly followed up his comment by fading an in and out backhand 'into the bells' to send the dedans in to rapturous cheering and seal a place in the semi finals for his team. Well played sir!

The semi finals were well contested with Harrow taking on Shrewsbury and Clifton contending with Marlborough. In the first semi, Harrow's Ed Buxton (Queens) and Andrew James (Hatfield) played a cunning game of handicap doubles. Although giving Rec half 30 Owe half 30 they were superbly consistent and slowly wore down the Shrewsbury pair of Johnny Saunders (Queens) and Guy Egerton-Smith (MCC); after a very tight first set they ran away winners 6/4 6/2. In the second semi final, the Marlborough team of Steven Bishop (MCC) and Peter Kidd (Radley) were set a similar assignment giving away Rec half 30 Owe half 30 against the hard hitting team of Nick Esses (MCC) and Harry Swindon (Queens) representing Clifton College. The latter were just too much for the Old Marlburians in a very hard fought match - Clifton taking the victory 6/4 6/3.

The final pitted together the 2 form teams of the tournament! They had in fact met earlier in the group stage when Clifton had narrowly come out on top against Harrow. However, the final was a best of 3 sets encounter as Clifton continued to up their game resulting in Harrow's resistance ebbing away. Facing a large handicap difference is never easy to deal with, especially in a big final. Harrow continued to fight on bravely to the last point but Clifton were just too strong, lifting this year's Cattermull Cup 6/2 6/1 and registering the third occasion on which Clifton have won the trophy in the past fourteen years.

Congratulations to champions Nick Esses and Harry Swindon on a fine performance throughout and we look forward to them defending their title next year at the same venue. We thank all participants for another fantastic tournament and a very enjoyable weekend of doubles.

Will Burns (Head Professional)