Bradfield College

Tuesday 16th May 2017

Result: IC of GB 11.5 – 1.5 Bradfield College
Venue: Bradfield College

The International Club produced a team of 6 men and 4 ladies for the only fixture we have against a school side in the UK, following in the footsteps of famous names from the IC of GB namely Gorringe, Billington and Stotesbury. Tim and Tony Billington were there to provide loyal support to the team despite the enticement of the All England golf afternoon which clashed and robbed us of one of our stalwarts.  Thanks must go to a number of guests who helped complete the teams after some last minute injury withdrawals and business clashes.

This is the blue riband fixture in the season for Bradfield College and the IC is treated extremely well. The quality of tennis was up to its usual high standard although the experience, guile and artistry of the IC teams on the doubles court was too strong for the pupils. Despite the apparent one-sided scoreline there were some close games and the match was played in a tremendous spirit and the pupils were a credit to Bradfield College.

Special mention needs to go to IC member Andrew Smith who had answered the last minute call up flying in from Italy where only 48 hours previously he had cycled 423 kms from Florence to Rome, and then recuperated watching the first day's play from the Rome Masters. The plan was that Adrian Blackman would do the majority of running in this partnership but with him also curtailed by an injury Tufty was surprisingly agile having spent "so much time in the saddle" over the previous days.

The ladies team won reasonably easily and we were grateful to some friends of the IC for helping make up the numbers for a midweek fixture which obviously is difficult for many. Ladies can expect an early rallying call next year.

Bradfield treated the team to a wonderful dinner in the Wardens Room, with the Headmaster also making an appearance illustrating the importance of the fixture to the College. Speeches were made by Damian Fuller, The Director of Tennis at Bradfield, and Andy Creighton, who made special mention of Tony Billington's contribution to Bradfield tennis and his fund raising exploits and drive to complete the building of the new clay courts.

Next year’s fixture will be a couple of weeks earlier to avoid the start of external exams at the College to ensure they are at full strength and I already have a few names inked on the team sheet which is great and reflects the enjoyment of the fixture for all those who have participated past and present.

Although we were hoping to play the match on the pristine artificial clay courts being laid adjacent to the three indoor courts at Bradfield College, the fixture came 3 weeks too early, so this pleasure will have to wait until next year’s fixture.

Men’s Results (IC of GB players listed first):
J. Tassell & C. Jenkins
beat J. Davis & F. Briggs 6-1 6-1
beat B. McAtee & F. Baker 6-0
beat J. Hodgkinson & C. Edwards 6-0

A. Blackman & A. Smith
beat J. Davis & F. Briggs 6-4
drew against B. McAtee & F. Baker 6-4 4-6
beat J. Hodgkinson & C. Edwards 6-2

A. Creighton & B. Keenes
beat J. Davis & F. Briggs 6-3
beat B. McAtee & F. Baker 6-3
lost to J. Hodgkinson & C. Edwards 6-2 6-1

Ladies Results (IC of GB players listed first):
C. Moore & C. Deller
beat I. Lowe & E. Lenon 6-3 6-3
beat L. Lee-Smith & A. Miles 6-1 6-4

B. Wright & F. Kipling
beat I. Lowe & E. Lenon 6-2 6-1
beat L. Lee-Smith & A. Miles 6-2 6-4