COLUMBUS TROPHY

Match Result: IC of GB finished 3rd
Date: Tuesday 1^st - Saturday 5^th November 2016
Venue: Delhi Gymkhana Club 

A week of grass court tennis in November in beautiful surroundings at the delightful Delhi Gymkhana Club … it doesn’t get any better! 

The only thing we could have done without was the early morning smog that hung-over Delhi but in all others respects it was a fantastic week of enjoyable tennis, great camaraderie, sumptuous food plus daily sight-seeing trips culminating in a visit to the Taj Mahal at the end of the Competition. 

The 2016 Columbus Trophy, for men 55+ and 65+, was hosted by the IC of India as part of the celebration of their 65th anniversary. Apart from the IC of GB, other participants included Argentina, Belgium, France, Japan and two teams from India. 

Our team consisted of Steve Alger, Nigel Mann, Niall Sweeney, Jeremy Woods and Mark Cox. 

Teams were divided into two Groups and the IC of GB were included in Group 2 alongside Argentina, Belgium and India ‘Slices’. 

On the first day we beat Belgium 4-2 with Steve Alger and Nigel Mann winning a crucial doubles, saving 5 match points in the process. The next day we were comfortable 5-0 winners over India ‘Slices’ and on Day 3 we clinched top spot in our group by beating Argentina 4-0. 

In the semi-finals we came up against a strong French side which included Jacques Hervet  who earlier in the year had won the Over 55 Singles at the World Championships.  Steve Alger ran him close with some fine serving but Jacques’ consistency eventually prevailed. At 3-1 down after the singles, we needed to win both doubles but that proved just too much and we eventually lost 4-2. 

In the play-off for 3rd/4th place we were 3-3 in matches with Japan but  after a countback of games we were awarded 3rd spot. 

France easily beat a depleted Belgium team in the final to retain the Trophy. 

Our thanks to the IC of India for being magnificent hosts and making this a truly memorable trip.  There is nothing quite like being offered afternoon tea and cakes alongside wonderful grass courts on a sunny afternoon in November!