Oratory Ladies Championship

Oratory Real Tennis club held its first ladies championship over the weekend of 21^st and 22^nd April. The event was run over the two days, with singles games played on the Saturday and Sunday morning following on with doubles later on Sunday.

With a great turn out of ladies the entire Saturday was filled with group games to determine who went through to the Sunday morning eliminator rounds. 4 players progressed and Sunday morning started with the first of the semi finals. Candida Nicholls played Katy Weston and having played brilliantly on the Saturday couldn’t quite get her game together allowing Katy to take a 6/4 win. Next saw the biggest handicap difference with Pam Tomalin playing our new comer Nic McChlery. Nic improved considerably over the weekend however Pam’s pure determination helped her pull through to a 6/3 win. This meant Pam to face Katy in the final. It was a great game and Katy started very well however once again Pam really knuckled down and took the victory 6/4.

Following straight on was the doubles. With everyone paired up it meant the group stages were over quickly and everyone advance through to the playoffs. The two 3^rd placed pairs played each other before the semi finals started. Sarah Whittaker and Sarah Brownlee played Katy Weston and Michelle Bucknell. With the Sarah’s both ‘on fire’ and hitting hard they took the win 5/2. Next up was Carrie Hart and Fiona Fountain to play Geri Brooksbank and Nic McChlery. Again a big handicap that required Carrie and Fiona to play very disciplined tennis. They managed to hold their nerve and won 5/4. They advanced to the final to pay Sarah Whittaker and Sarah Brownlee. Earlier in the day these two had played each other and the Sarah’s took the win 5/0 however Carrie and Fiona had found there form and although a strong fight was put up by the Sarah’s Carrie and Fiona won 5/3. A very enjoyable day was had by all and our first Ladies Singles and Doubles Champions were crowned.

Congratulations to Pam Tomalin who is The Oratory Real Tennis Ladies Singles Champion and Carrie Hart and Fiona Fountain who are The Oratory Real Tennis Ladies Doubles Champions.

For more information on Real Tennis at The Oratory please contact Andy Chinneck on a.chinneck@oratory.co.uk or call 01491 681303

Photos: (L to R) – Winners: Pam Tomalin, Fiona Fountain, Carrie Hart. Runners-up: Sarah Whittaker, Sarah Brownlee, Katy Weston

National Junior Schools Handicap Tournament

Sunday 4^th March saw the Oratory Real Tennis Club co host the National Junior Schools Handicap Tournament. With 17 teams playing between the two courts of Oratory and Hardwick House a busy day of tennis lay ahead. Players at both courts enjoyed 4 sets with the highest scoring pair from each court joining together late afternoon for the final at Oratory. The two schools making it through to the final were Westbourne 1^st pair and Windlesham 3^rd pair. The two were very closely matched with Westbourne winning the set 5/3. A big thank you to Mick Dean (tournament organiser) and all the schools and parents for their time spent organising and travelling which made it such a great event.

Winners: Westbourne 1^st pair; Hugo Alun-Jones and Ned Renwick,   Andy Chinneck (Oratory Professional) and Runners Up Windlesham 3^rd pair; Teddy Maloney and Ludo Milne

Oratory Club Singles 2012

The Oratory hosted their yearly Club Handicap Singles Championship with group stages on Friday and Saturday. There were a lot of very close matches due to the handicap system working so well. The handicap is in place to give the tournament a level playing field no matter what your playing ability is.

Sunday morning was the start of the knock out stages. There was some top tennis played, some players having to give away massive handicaps. The 1^st semi final saw Christian Whittaker (h/c 29) take on a new member Melvyn Keen (h/c 69) The massive handicap meant Christian was playing more a mental game than a physical game but he won 6/3. In the 2^nd semi final Stuart Baxter played Michael Seymour off level. This was always going to be close. Stuart went 5/3 up. Michael saved 4 match points but Stuart kept his composer and won the game on the 5/5 - 40/40 point.

The Final was between Christian and Stuart. Christian had to give away a small handicap but managed to take an early 2/0 lead. Stuart played the better tennis in the final forcing Christian into a few errors. Stuart went on to take the set and the Championship 6/3. Congratulations to Stuart who is now Club Handicap Singles Champion.



Albie Arthur Charles Lambert Tomlinson

I’m pleased to announce that Jules and Steve have had a beautiful baby boy. Albie Arthur Charles Lambert Tomlinson (9lbs) arrived eventually by C-section Monday evening. Both mum and Albie are doing well and enjoying some rest still in hospital.

Dreaming of being a Real Tennis World Champion......

Parent & Offspring Tournament - Jan 2012

Parent & Offspring Tournament

Last weekend saw The Oratory Real Tennis Club held their annual Parent and Offspring Tournament. There was a brilliant turn out this year with 16 pairs entering. There were four round robin groups played over two days with the semi finals and final on the Saturday. The group stages saw some extremely close matches with a lot of them going down to the wire. The final was between Luke & Fiona Redman versus Gordon & Gus Robertson. Both pairs had played some superb tennis throughout the tournament but Gordon & Gus had the upper hand in the final and took the title 6/2. Well done to Gordon and Gus.

Photo – Left to Right: Luke and Fiona Readman (Runners up) and Gus and Gordon Robertson (Winners)