Parent and Offspring

Nicksons steal the show

The Oratory Real Tennis club sponsored by Sotheby’s International Realty held their annual Parent & Offspring tournament on Saturday. There was a brilliant turn out of ages ranging from 16 up to 75 yr olds. The round robin stages were played during the day and the top pair in each group qualified for the semi finals. In the first semi final Ian and Ed Glyn were defeated By Lucy and Audrey Davies 5/1. The second semi final saw Simon & Ben Nickson beat Michelle & Charlie Bucknell 5/4 in a thrilling down to the last point match. In the final there were some brilliant moments, but Simon and Ben had the upper hand over Lucy and Audrey and defeated them 5/1. Simon and Ben last won this tournament back in 2006. Congratulations!

December Events @ The Oratory Real Tennis Club

Dear Members,

This is a reminder of what we have happening at The Oratory in December.

Friday 14^th December

Christmas Party & National League Div 1

We are inviting all members and your partners to The Oratory Christmas Party at the club to enjoy some sociable drinks and some good food at the same time as I’m playing my National League match vs Radley. It will be a really fun sociable evening and we hope you will all be able to attend.

Monday 24^th December

Christmas Eve Sociable Doubles

This is your last chance to burn off some calories before you tuck into the Christmas Day turkey. If you would like to come along please let me know in advance and I will match you up for some good fun doubles.

Friday 28^th December

Christmas Doubles & Dinner

This was a really well attended event last year with a doubles tournament during the day followed by a dinner in the evening which your partner is welcome to come along.

There is a sign up sheet on the notice board for all of the above events, so please sign up if you’re interested and I will be in touch in due course.

Candida Nicholls Beats Peter Crerar in Epic 'D Grade' SIngles Final

After a good start from Candida winning the 1st set 6/2 and taking an early lead in the 2nd set to 4/2. Peter kept working hard and eventally took the 2nd set 6/4. The 3rd set was very even with both players having chances to take the lead, but didn't. Candida managed to keep her nerve and take the 3rd set 6/5 after 4 match points.

Congratulations Candida!

Watson regains The Bridgeman Cup for the 2nd year running

Oratory hosted the Bridgeman Cup this year. The Bridgeman Cup is a national tournament which attracts the best over 50’s in the Country. We had 14 players enter this year, some traveling from as far as Newcastle. There were 2 group stages from which the top 2 players from each group qualified to the Quarter Finals. The Quarter Finals saw the top 4 seeded players won in straight sets. In the 1^st semi final John Prenn played the perfect game and defeated William Maltby 6/2 6/1. The 2^nd semi final David Watson took on Mark Drysdale. David played superbly and defeated Mark 6/2 6/3. John had to be on top form to beat David as he was on top form, unfortunately John didn’t have it in him and David won the final 6/3 6/2 and regained the Bridgeman Cup for a 2^nd year.

(From Left to Right) John Prenn & David Watson

Club Doubles Championship 2012-13

Domination from Peates and Davies

Last weekend The Oratory Real Tennis Club held their yearly Club Handicap Doubles Championship sponsored by Sotheby’s International Reality. There was a great turn out with 22 pairs battling it out over 3 days. On the Friday and Saturday the pairs played in the round robin stages with the top 2 pairs from each group progressing through to the knock out stage on the Sunday.

With handicap matches there was always going to be lots of close matches. The first semi final saw Chris Davies & Sam Peates beat Stephen Anidjah & Duncan Crerar 6/4 in a closely fort battle. In the second semi final Andrew Bucknell & Phil Booth played the perfect handicap game and beat Eric Walker and Michael Seymour 6/1.

The final was a little one sided after Andy Bucknell picked up an injury in the semi final. This meant Phil Booth was in theory playing singles against 2 players who were on top form. Chris Davis and Sam Peates played the right sort of game and ended up winning the final 6/2. Congratulations to Chris and Sam! 

Thank you to our Sponsors Sotheby’s International Reality for the Winners Trophies and Sotheby’s Champagne.

Photo (L to R): Sam Peates, Phil Booth (from Sotheby’s International Reality) and Chris Davies