Oratory 2 Win at Royal Tennis Court 3 Nil ..

1. David Blizzard lost to Christopher Herbert (25) 6/2 5/6 1/6
2. Robert Frost lost to James Bloore (21) 1/6 2/6
3. Paul Kettle lost to Adrian Fawcus (25) 4/6 2/6

A great win well done guys ! To follow Oratory 2 Results bookmark this page. National League Div 5

Who says Real Tennis is quirky ?!

Only in the gentlemans WC of a Real Tennis club ( Petworth to be
exact ) would a tennis racket be used as a toilet flush.

What a month for the Brownlee's !

All four of the tennis playing Brownlee’s picked up silverware in the opening two tournaments of 2009.

The Fathers and Sons, playing for the Gordon Bennett Trophy, was a fantastic two days of tennis, which saw a total of 13 pairs taking part. Fergus and Daniel Brownlee disposed of the Marmoy’s in the semi-final by 6 games to 2, while the other finalists were the deminuent pair of Simon and Ben Nickson, who defeated the Fox’s by the same score line. The final was a tight match which went down to the final game, although the Nickson’s had been winning all the way through, they couldn’t win the vital last game which gave the honours to the Brownlee’s.

Pictured : Daniel and Fergus Brownlee Gordon Bennett Trophy Winners 2009-01-14

The following weekend saw the Club Handicap Doubles take place from Friday to Sunday. Some great matches and close groups saw a semi-final line up of Glyn and Thornton versus Jamie and Sarah Brownlee. It was as close as close can be with the Brownlee’s edging the final point at 5/5, 40 all, a great first semi, could the second live up to it? Club Captain Colin Butler and partner “Penthouse” Peter Harding found themselves 5/2 down in no time against the pairing of Fergus Brownlee and Ian Whittaker, who have an amazing record together. The fighting spirit of Butler/Harding saw them peg it back to 5/5, but their efforts were in vain as the missed out 6/5. After two epic semis, the final was always going to be an anti-climax, but some great play by Jamie and Sarah, helped by the handicap, seen them edge through 6/4. It was a great way to end the tournament, which is defiantly the best tennis and excitement I have seen in a club tournament in my time at the club.

Pictured : Jamie Brownlee and mum Sarah, Club Handicap Doubles Winners 2009, along with Club Captain Colin Butler.

Oratory featured on BBC Breakfast News

The BBC visited Oratory to talk to World #1 Charlotte Cornwallis. Christian Whittaker is also interviewed as part of the 4 minute segment on Real Tennis.

ORATORY AWAY MATCH V LEAMINGTON - SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2009

The Oratory team of Pam and Tim Tomalin, Mike Box, David Fox and Alan Wagner were treated to excellent hospitality at Leamington on the last Saturday before Xmas.

 

Lunch was served in the splendid Club dining room with silver and fine bone china: shepherd's pie and seasonal vegetables followed by jam roly poly and custard and washed down with fine wine. Mr "three puddings" Wagner expressed himself very satisfied with proceedings.  Some tennis was also played..........

 

The day began with Tim and Pam in good form and makng an excellent start however they were pipped at the post in a three game set.  David and Mike were on next and managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a closely fought three game set which went to the final point.  It was now after 1 p.m. and we were late for lunch. Alan stormed into an impressive lead but caused mild consterrnation when his opponent turned up the pressure with a 4:1 lead;  were we ever going to eat?  The thought of those puddings obviously spurred him on and Alan brought the first half's play to a successful close.  We will not dwell on the post-lunch play as the Oratory teaml might have been better taking a well earned nap in the comfortable lounge.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Mike Box, Match Manager