IC of GB v Bradfield College

8th October 2019

Bradfield College

Result: IC of GB win 10-3

 

On the 8th October, the IC team of 6 men and 4 women played in the annual fixture against Bradfield College for the Henry Billington Salver, kindly donated last year by his son Tony. The weather in west Berkshire was challenging but only meant we had to utilise their wonderful indoor acrylic courts until the weather cleared and we could revert to the 6 outdoor clay courts to conclude the match.

Following some very close fought matches the final score of 6-3 for the men and 4-0 for the women was more lop sided than the tennis suggested. The quality of the tennis on display from the Bradfield team was the highest I have seen in the 8 years I have been playing in the fixture, and there is more to come as the tennis programme continues to develop under the stewardship of Damian Fuller. One particular low light for the IC (and highlight for Bradfield of course) was the loss by Andy Creighton and Johnny Barr to the Bradfield first pair of Angus Creighton and his partner Bailey McAtee.  

The teams retired to a private room at the Bull Inn, a local hostelry, for a wonderful dinner hosted by the school where Tony Billington presented the Henry Billington Salver to the winning Captains.

Thanks to all the members of the IC listed below for taking time out of their busy schedules on a Tuesday afternoon in October to play and the aim for next year is to have teams of 6 for both men and women (to reflect the strength in depth of the Bradfield teams now coming through.)

Fleur Clegg
Alison Denly
Nathalie Squires
Alison Longfield (guest) 

Andy Creighton
Johnny Barr
David Collins
Lewis Barnes
Richard Ground
Simon Curtis