* Field Trophy Final 2023

FIELD TROPHY FINAL
MORETON MORRELL v PRESTED HALL

With Moreton Morrell having reached the Final, Holyport was the chosen venue to stage this year’s final. Moreton Morrell had beaten Radley and Hatfield in earlier rounds and Prested had cruised effortlessly to the final thanks to two walk overs. First on court were the second doubles and in a swift affair Moreton Morrell’s 72 year old Philip Shaw-Hamilton and the somewhat younger Ollie Broome (combined handicap of 26) swiftly disposed of Richard Ramjane and Steve Steadman (40) 6/0 6/1.

Moreton’s No.1 Tom Bomford (14) wasn’t at his best against Mat Potter (18) but both players nonetheless put on a most enjoyable spectacle of athleticism, strong ground shots and fine retrieving. Potter managed to reach 4/4 in both sets but Bomford was able to go up a gear to win 6/4 6/4.

Despite suffering from a perforated ear drum, Moreton’s Doug Holden (23) was in excellent form against Colin Spratt (24) winning 6/2 6/2 to bring the Field Trophy back to the Midlands. Chairman Simon Hobson (32) nobly stepped in for Patrick Sutton who was facing insurmountable childcare problems but struggled against Prested’s somewhat younger Murray Lane (30) who won in two sets 6/4 6/4.

The first doubles clash was an entertaining affair with Moreton’s Rich Wills and Martin Rogers (22) easing to a comfortable first set win 6/1 but struggled in the second set as John Eddis and Tim Collins acquainted themselves with the court and reached 4/4. The Moreton pair, however, awoke from their post prandial siesta, played with greater determination to take the set 6/4.

Many thanks to Pol Roger for their generous sponsorship once again and Holyport for laying on an excellent day. Thanks are in order to Josh Smith for marking all day, opening bottles of Pol Roger and sorting the refreshments. Both clubs play in the Pol Roger top tier next year and without much needed parachute payments will struggle unless of course walkovers are on offer!