T&RA Newsletter – Easter 2011

here to now? I am pleased to say, as we approach the end of my first season, much has been business

as usual. The fixture list has certainly been hectic with Nick Jones and James Coyne encouraging greater participation in both Tennis and Rackets – and succeeding! We are already thinking about next season and taking the next steps, especially with the challenge of the Queen‟s Rackets Gallery rebuild.

In Tennis, the Club Professional Development programme is now up and running thanks to the huge efforts of Nick Wood and Graham Tomkinson, and the first few modules have been successfully completed. Only two clubs have taken up the offer of a Club Management check, but those are already making steps forward – Chris Bray and Peter Wright have more details. Also many congratulations to Andy Chinneck and Andrew Davis, the new Head Professionals at the Oratory and Oxford respectively.

In Rackets, there have been developments at Radley and Manchester with their evening clubs and getting more new players involved. Cheltenham had a successful tour of the US in February, Malvern opened their new Ron Hughes courts and, more recently, Charterhouse refurbished the areas around their courts. Some movement amongst the professionals too, with Tim Roberts going to Rugby shortly, and Noel Brett taking up the challenge at Malvern.

The priority for the T&RA is to give the membership value for its money. Each Tennis playing member has his or her handicap maintained on the global database which allows for play against opponents anywhere in the Tennis playing world. The new Rackets Ranking System brings a new dimension to tournaments where accurate seeding can be applied – and it is always useful to know where you stand.

Increasing participation requires new courts, improving professional training, and encouraging the juniors – all three items very much on the Association‟s radar. The current Tennis court projects include Guildford, Harrogate and Sutton – with a few exciting developments on the table. The Tonbridge court will be next addition to the Rackets fold and I remain hopeful we may get the Dartmouth court back into play. I have described the Professional programme above, and the junior programme continues to move ahead thanks to the efforts of Paul Weaver, Mick Dean, Christopher Griffith-Jones and a host of others at the clubs around the country. Also read about the creation of the Exeter University Real Tennis Club on page 4.

ield Trophy MCC beat Seacourt 5-0 to win this year's Field Trophy at Moreton Morrell.

In the opening doubles, Peter Jarvis and James Acheson-Gray‟s play was crisp and incisive and they

never looked like being troubled. Highlight of the day was a spectacular and memorable match between David Harms and Luke Danby, undoubtedly the best in the years the final has been held at Moreton Morrell. Danby played through the pain of an injured hand but Harms won the key points decisively, particularly at 4/4 in the third set. Ivan Snell needed to pull out the stops against William Maltby but the Chairman of the T&RA‟s preparation 2 days earlier on the court, paid dividends and he just won the second set despite Snell‟s relentless comeback from 2/4 and with great relief after last year‟s bombardment from Louis Gordon!

In the dead rubbers, Mark Howard was too clinical for Charlie Danby and Mark Matthias and Neil Roxburgh cruised past Paul Weaver and Alan Fine. Once again it was a thoroughly enjoyable day made possible by the generosity of Pol Roger. Tom Granville and Nick Jury also played their part towards the day‟s success.

2nd D: Peter Jarvis and James Acheson-Gray beat Martin Higney and Spencer Davies 6/0, 6/2 1st S: David Harms beat Luke Danby 6/5, 3/6, 6/4 2nd S: William Maltby beat Ivan Snell 6/3, 6/5 3rd S: Mark Howard beat Charlie Danby 6/3, 6/2 1st D: Mark Matthias and Neil Roxburgh beat Paul Weaver and Alan Fine 6/2, 6/1 Next year the Field Trophy will play a revised format with two divisions – playing for the Pol Roger Trophy and the Field Trophy. More details to follow.

rodie Cup Queen's Club beat Seacourt 4-1 to secure the Brodie Cup at the Hyde

Winning Queen's Team

45D Tim Meunier/Ashley Lenihan (QC) beat Jess Garside/Graham Law 3/6, 6/4, 6/3 30S Mark Windmill (QC) beat Ben Wall 6/5, 6/5 40S Nick Tilson (QC) beat Bruce Burton 6/2, 6/1 50S Oli Thompson (QC) beat Steve Pierce 6/5, 6/0 35D Chris Kurkjian and Neville Day (QC) lost to Lewis Davies and Maxwell Gunning 6/5, 4/6, 4/6

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eacourt Silver Racquet Qualifier, Louis Gordon, overcame reigning champion, Conor Medlow, to triumph in the 2011

Seacourt Silver Racquet. In the main event, he defeated Kevin Sheldon, Bryn Sayers, Tony Hollins and finally Luke Danby to reach the final. In a closely fought climax to the event Louis won in straight sets 6/5, 6/5.

chools Doubles Tournament This tournament, brilliantly organised yet again by Mick Dean, continues to gain momentum, with 40

pairs from 20 different schools playing on 5 different courts.

Andy Chinneck with the finalists

1st Pairs (Oratory) - An impressive 6/2 win by the Radley pair (Tom Buckley & Ben Boddington), against tough opposition from Clifton (Freddie Kalfayan & Johnny Williams) who just triumphed in the semi-final over Radley B (Dan Brownlee & Gus McAlpine) 6-5. The latter had pushed their A team very close in the early stages. Rugby (Clarke &

Wilson) acquitted themselves well, beating Oratory

(Eadle & Huysinga) before losing a very decent match

to Radley B in the play-offs.

Radley winning 1st pair

2nd Pairs (Hardwick) - Clifton, a very tidy pair indeed, won this event in a canter, with a 100% record, beating 2nd placed St Edwards A, who in turn, pipped Radley C on games won. 4th was Canford (who did beat Radley), followed by Oratory, Warwick and Rugby who narrowly failed to beat Warwick in a close 5-6 set. Only one pair was undefeated and only one gained no wins (and that only just!). This was a long day at

Hardwick, and says much for general stamina of competitors and spectators alike.

Colts (Radley) - Lewis Williams and Will Shortridge blitzed this competition, beating Radley (Robinson & Buckley) 6-0 in the final, who had in turn played really well to defeat Portsmouth GS (Giles Gunning & Jess Garside), though the latter had run the winners very close (4-6) in the group match. In the 2nd group, Eton played well enough in gaining 4th spot overall to suggest that they might have coped in the top group, beating Charterhouse and Radley B into 5th & 6th respectively. Clifton (7th) finished well to beat both Canford pairs.

Senior Handicap (Oxford) - Bradfield A triumphed here over Cranleigh, with all matches played on a rolling handicap. Noble performances were seen from Warwick, Radley, Abingdon & Charterhouse.

Junior Handicap (Holyport) - Westbourne House repeated their win of last year in a final against another Westbourne pair, just pipping Ludgrove into 3rd place. Abingdon, Windlesham House & Kingston GS all contributed to a very closely contested day‟s tennis.

chools’ Initiative The T&RA sponsored schools‟ initiative continues to become more and more popular. Funding is

provided to participating schools for a period of two years to allow them to participate at a local Real Tennis club. Currently 9 schools are officially part of the scheme and it is hoped to expand numbers next year – all driven forward by Christopher (Bomber) Griffith-Jones.

Dan Jones and Adam Player with the Juniors at Seacourt

Notwithstanding the above efforts, there are many clubs also supporting the juniors. In the West Country, John Newman runs the Bristol and Bath Scholarship Trust as a recognised charity „To advance the education of children and young people by providing facilities and financial assistance for playing Real Tennis so as to improve their physical and social well being‟. This pays for lessons for enthusiastic youngsters, subsidises the court fees of junior members and contributes to the expenses of Junior and University members competing away from Bristol. Meanwhile at Prested Hall, encouragement by Gael

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Vigrass, support form Mike Carter and action by Ricardo Smith managed to get 55 youngsters on court one weekend. Equally, I am sure there are many other clubs reaching out to the juniors – to encourage them into Tennis at an early age.

mateur Singles This year‟s final was contested by the top two

seeds. Jamie Douglas, the holder and top seed, won his previous encounter with Conor Medlow at Lord‟s. However, Conor was boosted by home support as he is now playing regularly at Queen‟s.

The first set saw the expected long rallies commence, with Conor edging ahead, Jamie rallying, but Conor staying on top to win the opener 6/2.

The next set started in a similar style, with both players reluctant to open up and 20 shot rallies were common place. Jamie took a slight lead then Conor came back and at 4 all it looked like it could go either way. Jamie then showed his experience, winning the crucial points to take the set 6/4.

The third set was the best and by some way the longest at nearly an hour. Jamie took the lead and looked in control, only for Conor to claw back to 3 all. Conor then continued, winning a couple of the next 3 games, all of which were tight. At 5/4 up and 40-15 he looked good, but Jamie managed to come back to deuce and then closed the game out. He then secured the last game, to give the defending champion the advantage at 2 sets to 1.

Conor Medlow - youngest winner

The fourth set again opened with Jamie taking an early lead, but Conor finding extra energy and managed to both catch up and close it out 6/3.

The final set was another 30 minutes, again with protracted rallies, and Jamie playing some amazing boast shots from very tight positions. With both players surely on adrenaline now, Conor managed to close the match out, 6/3 in the final set, with a very impressive grille shot to become possibly the youngest ever winner of this coveted trophy. Both players managed a smile for the presentation, even after a gruelling 3 hour 20 minute battle!

Throughout the whole match both the rally building and defensive play were astonishing. Conors trademark heavy dedans forces were regularly retrieved, via the main wall, to his backhand corner and Jamie‟s backhand forces and power boasts were double handed back repeatedly. Both players retrieved seemingly impossible shots, both from the corners and up the court, making the marker Andrew Lyons‟ job all the more tricky. However, both players self-called several not-ups on their own shots, and the whole match was played in a spirit which should make their respective clubs proud.

The previous day had seen two splendid semi-finals. Peter Wright took the first set against Conor Medlow, but the young star won the next three to book his place in today's final, 5/6, 6/3, 6/3, 6/3. In the second semi-final, top seed Jamie Douglas overcame Claire Vigrass in straight sets - 6/3, 6/2, 6/3.

mateur Doubles In the final Jamie Douglas and Peter Wright beat Alistair Lumsden and Harry Eddis 6/5 6/4 6/2 to

clinch the Amateur Doubles championship. The first set was extremely close with neither pair getting ahead by more than a game at any time, and both having set points. Jamie and Peter finally came home 6/5. Alistair and Harry took the first two games in the second set but then conceded the next 5, before storming back to 5-4. In the end, Jamie's powerful boasts and Peter's consistency secured the second set. The third set was tight but Jamie and Peter finished strongly winning 6/2.

Jamie Douglas & Peter Wright

Before the final the two pairs had only dropped one set between them - so something had to give. The crowded Dedans were treated to an astonished display of powerful drives and adroit defensive volleys. Harry returned serve with devastating efficiency and Alistair intercepted shot after shot. But ultimately Jamie's speed and anticipation, with the strength of Peter's forehand volley, wore down their talented opponents.

In the semi finals, top seeds Alistair and Harry despatched talented fourth seeds William Maltby and David Watson in straight sets, 6/4, 6/0 6/4 - a very tight match, with William and David ahead in the first and third sets. The number two seeds, Jamie and Peter, also triumphed in straight sets against Conor Medlow and Claire Vigrass, 6/2, 6/3 6/3.

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niversity Tennis (West Country) Having spent the first year at the University of Exeter unsuccessfully trying to get into the lawn

tennis teams, I sought to try to find another sport. And so, whilst reading the T&RA magazine, I discovered, from the list of tennis courts in the UK, that Hyde Tennis Club was the nearest court to Exeter. I rang up Ben Ronaldson, the professional at Hyde, and arranged a lesson.

Since I first played in October last year, I have been playing several times a week and started to introduce friends at Exeter to the game. I decided to establish a club to take Exeter students to Hyde. Having had the club officially recognised, the University of Exeter Real Tennis Club has evolved rather agreeably.

I could not have been better supported in my endeavour to create this club and to encourage others to play. Chris Davies at the T&RA has been tremendously helpful, providing financial support for the club. This help has allowed me to part subsidise all court use and lessons. Pol Roger have also been very kind: they have contributed to the cost of the shirts I had made for the first two teams, and have donated some bottles for the competition I ran in March. I have really been amazed at the enthusiasm and interest that so many people in the Real Tennis world have shown.

University of Exeter RTC

Simon Marshall‟s Inter University competition, held at Cambridge in November, was a fantastic way to meet other people my age who are interested in playing tennis as a main sport. The T&RA‟s offer to subsidise the cost of travel to and from the tournament was very generous and I hope more competitions like this will be created. I have also been trying to arrange some fixtures against teams from Oxford, Bristol and Durham over the next year.

I realised that there are many others at Exeter who, like me, are very keen lawn tennis players, but cannot get into the teams. There is definately a market for Real Tennis in Exeter. Three months since its creation, the club now has thirty members. Of these members, around a quarter play once a fortnight. I block booked courts at the beginning of the term for every

Wednesday and Saturday, playing for two and a half hours at a time. This means that either Ben Ronaldson or Adam Barrett, the assistant professional, spend the first hour coaching. I divide the rest of the time between short doubles and singles games.

Action at the Hyde

The main challenge for this club is to try and get more first year students interested in playing. However, convincing first year students to play is not very easy given the fifty five minute journey to Hyde Tennis Club at Bridport.

But it really has been a lot of fun starting something from scratch and seeing it become gradually more popular amongst my friends and amongst those whom I have only met through their interest in tennis. I set up a committee so that other students could become more involved in Real Tennis (and something to put on their internship applications). Recently, the social secretaries decided to hold a barbeque for the members. This was very enjoyable, despite the dress code being “dress as William Powell-Brett”. This was taken rather literally by the members who borrowed many of my clothes whilst I was at Hyde playing Tennis during the day. Even now, I am still recouping some of those „borrowed‟ clothes from that evening. As well as my social secretaries, I am very lucky to have a treasurer, Jamie Macfarlane, who is equally as keen. His ambitious suggestions for the club constantly cheer me up. I am sure that during my year abroad in Spain the club will be left in very good hands as he will be in charge before I come back for my final year.

William Powell-Brett

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orld Doubles Challenge Tim Cockroft and Alex Titchener-Barrett took the second leg of their World Rackets

Doubles Championship Challenge, beating holders Harry Foster and Mark Hue Williams by four games to two 17/15, 18/13, 15/5, 8/15, 13/18, 15/5. Having won the first leg at the Montreal Racket Club by four games to three, 5/7, 15/17, 11/15, 15/8, 14/17, 15/10, 15/10, Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett won the World Doubles Championship by an overall count of eight games to five.

Close quarters action

In a match played in an extremely competitive spirit with some lively interaction between the players the winning pair always looked to have the edge, although after winning the first three games they seemed to lose their way. They conceded the fourth game rather tamely, and despite twice gaining the upper hand in the fifth at 7/1 and 13/11, they lost it again 5/0 in the set to five. Throughout the entire match no single player dominated in the service box, Foster serving the most aces with 21, Cockroft with 20, Titchener-Barrett with 18 and Hue Williams, 16.

The match started with an ace by Harry Foster, but the first game was pretty level with all the players a touch tentative, perhaps unsurprising given the occasion. Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett seemed to spend rather a lot of the game on their wrong, or back-hand sides, but despite this kept ahead to reach game point at 14/12 when Cockroft served a second serve onto the back wall giving Foster an easy kill. Foster and Hue Williams reached 14-all and then took a 1/0 lead in the set to three. However, Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett reasserted their dominance, and having got back in the

box took the game with their next three serves including an ace from both players.

The second game saw the Challengers take a 13/4 lead before again letting the Champions draw level at 13-all, which they did in one hand, Foster winning six points with three aces and Hue Williams serving three aces to again go to set, this time to five. This time Titchener-Barrett and Cockroft allowed Foster and Hue Williams no respite, taking the set 5/0 and the game 18/13. The third game went to Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett 15/5 and most of the gallery thought this was the beginning of the end. So far, although there had been plenty of rallies with some very good kills, particularly from Titchener-Barrett and Foster, most of the play had been rather loose, with many unforced errors.

Victory for Alex and Tim

The fourth and fifth games witnessed a complete reversal of form. Cockroft having served an ace was put out and then Hue Williams and Foster then took a 10/1 lead including five aces from Foster and one from Hue Williams. The challengers then won four points, the champions in their turn won four points to reach game point, and although Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett managed to reach eight they could not prevent Foster and Hue Williams taking the game with their next turn at serve. The fifth game might have gone either way, Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett leading all the way before once more allowing Foster and Hue Williams to catch up at 13-all, and then take the set to five without losing a point.

The climactic sixth and final game went to Cockroft and Titchener-Barrett 15/5, and it looked as if Foster and Hue Williams had used up their energies winning the previous games.

Results: 1st leg (Montreal): ATB/TC beat MHW/HF 4 games to 3, 15/7, 15/17, 11/15, 15/8, 14/17, 15/10, 15/10. 2nd leg (Queen‟s Club) ATB/TC beat MHW/HF 4 games to 2: 17/15 18/13 15/5 8/15 13/18 15/5. Dudley MacDonald

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pen Singles Alex Titchener-Barrett wins the 2011 Neptune Singles Rackets Championship. Top seed and

defending Champion Alex Titchener-Barrett defeated number 3 seed Will Hopton in straight games to take the match 15-1, 15-5, 15-5, 15-4.

Alex serves to Will

Both finalists had progressed smoothly in their semi-finals without losing a game. Will beat former World Champion Harry Foster in a tightly contested match (17/14, 15/13, 18/17, 18/15). Alex avenged his US Open semi-final defeat by overcoming James Coyne.

The 2011 Tournament was a case of the old order being re-established. The final similarly followed the form book with Alex dominating large period of play and preventing Will from gaining a foothold the game.

Alex was fast out of the blocks, swiftly winning the first game and setting the tone for the rest of the match. This was a performance of power, pace, precision with controlled hitting of the highest quality and although Will battled extremely hard and put up strong resistance, Alex was relentless on the attack combined with a virtually error free performance. Will fought hard throughout, and rallied furiously in the third and fourth games - but inevitably Alex prevailed as his devastating finishing came into play.

There was much for the packed gallery to admire with the sheer consistency and pace of Alex‟s ground strokes allowing Will to demonstrate his remarkable retrieval skills. It was a fantastic display of Singles play with some fine hitting down the lines and some brilliant cross court shots. Will tirelessly chased down many virtually impossible shots but Alex was always ready for the next counter.

Both players should be applauded for the good natured spirit in which they played the match which made the jobs of marker Andrew Lyons and referee Alastair Gourlay straight forward. In particular; Will, a true sportsman, often called his own returns down.

Will as rightly earned his place as number 3 in World Rackets and much credit should be given to his determination and commitment to the sport. He continues to develop his coaching skills at Haileybury College and has organised a number of highly successful tournaments with record number of entrants.

This concludes a remarkable year for Alex Titchener-Barrett - since losing in the World Singles Championship Play-off in November to James Stout, he has come back very strongly and has now won back to back British Open Singles Titles, the British Amateur Singles Championship three years running and holds the British Open Doubles Title with Tim Cockcroft.

In the semi finals, Will Hopton (3) had beaten Harry Foster (2) and Alex Titchener-Barrett (1) beat James Coyne (5), both in straight games.

mateur Doubles The Neptune Amateur Doubles Rackets Championship was held at the Queen‟s Club

between the 19th and 27th February. Just ahead of the World Championship, it provided a sneak preview of players‟ form.

In the earlier rounds a notable pair was that of two World Champions - one Real Tennis and one Rackets, Rob Fahey and James Male were dealt with comfortably by Tim Cockroft and Alex Titchener -Barrett. Last year‟s Champions Ali Robinson and Guy Barker were let off the hook by Charlie Danby and Christian Portz coming back from 0-2, 6/14 to cruise through to the semi-finals, showing their pedigree. Harry Foster and Mark Hue Williams got through but not always on their terms as Richard Spender and James Beaumont played with some determination.

Will Hopton James Coyne In the semi-finals Alex Titchener-Barrett and Tim Cockroft defeated Ali Robinson and Guy Barker - 15/8 15/9 15/1 15/4. The other semi final was far closer - it really was nip and tuck throughout. Each of the players had their moments and there were many occasions where the sublime one moment was then turned into a lucky wood! Ultimately, Hopton and Coyne progressed through to the final defeating Mark Hue Williams and Harry Foster after a titanic battle - 15/11 5/15 18/14 9/15 15/12 5/15 15/9.

As it turned out however the expected final, (though a number would have questioned this wisdom) was not

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to be - Will Hopton and James Coyne won the Neptune Amateur Doubles Championship by beating Alex Titchener-Barrett and Tim Cockroft 4 games to 1 (15/4 12/15 15/5 15/9 15/2). A remarkable match with breathtaking shots, superb winning volleys, and overall, a deft touch and agility around the court.

James and Will discuss tactics

Thanks as always to Neptune Investment Management and The Jesters Club who kindly put on a drinks party.

Jester's champagne reception

adies Open Championship Women‟s world Real Tennis number 1 Claire Vigrass, 20, added the first-ever Neptune British

Open Women‟s Rackets Championship to her formidable tally of titles, powering her way through the inaugural event without dropping a game. The tournament at Queen‟s Club followed a successful women‟s challenge match at Malvern College in November and attracted entries from a group of enthusiastic newcomers mostly accomplished players from other racquet sports, among them the Queen‟s Club tennis doubles champion Alex Kurkjian, the winner of the Malvern women‟s rackets challenge plus South African squash star Barbara Vintcent, triathlete Jo Perriam, and former world Real Tennis champion Sally Jones. Most had been introduced to the game by Queen‟s Club professional and former world champion Howard Angus and Alex Kurkjian who organised the

first women‟s open Rackets evenings last summer, which produced growing numbers of converts to the sport.

Barbara Vintcent had a far closer struggle against the dogged but inexperienced Sally Jones en route to the final, trailing 1-2 before her intelligently varied serve and excellent retrieving off the back wall turned the tide and she closed out the deciding game 15-10.

In the final, as expected, Claire was again untouchable, playing near-faultless Rackets and growing in confidence as her serve did the damage while anything returned short of a length was dispatched with clinical efficiency. Despite some resourceful rallying from Barbara and brave attempts to vary the pace and angles, there was only going to be one winner and while the tournament proved a friendly and exciting introduction to rackets for most of the field, Claire already looks a class act.

Barbara and Champion Claire receive their prizes

As ever, the last word to our generous sponsor, Robin Geffen of Neptune Investment Management, who has put ladies Rackets on the map – not just with the critical funding but also with his level of encouragement to make this happen. The girls‟ tournament below is further testament to his desire to push the boundaries of the traditional male-dominated sport.

ublic Schools Doubles Champ’ship 1

st Pairs Wellington N Hopcroft & A Boobyer (2)

beat Cheltenham R Owen & C Stout (1) 15-10 4-15 2-15 15-4 2-15 15-4 15-11 2

nd Pairs Cheltenham A Gilbert & T Barton (1) beat

Radley H Miller & C Beardall 15-9 16-15 4-15 6-15 15-1 15-7 Colts Cheltenham A Duncliffe & A Montagu beat Marlborough C McKelvey & M Koe 10/15 15/11 15/2 15/5 15/6

Junior Colts Harrow H Prenn & R White beat

Winchester H Duxfield & W Rasmussen 3-1

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choolgirls Rackets Championship Millie Pughe of Wellington College and Lucinda Pigott (Clifton) have won the first British Girls‟

Rackets championships ever staged, during the National Schools Rackets Championships at Queen‟s Club. The event follows the inaugural British Women‟s Open Rackets Championship last month and attracted around a dozen sporting all-rounders from some of the 14 schools where Rackets is played. Pughe won the girls‟ Under 16 title beating Jess Billings from a distinguished Haileybury sporting dynasty in a hard-fought final. Pigott took the Under 18 crown, surviving a tough all-Clifton battle against Emma Powell 15-12 15-13.

Under 16 competitors – winner Millie Pughe second left

Until recently Rackets, one of the world‟s fastest ball-games was considered too gruelling and explosive for female participation but with most public schools now co-educational and growing numbers of talented sportswomen attracted to this addictive sport, more women‟s and girls‟ events are planned. The new British Women's Rackets champion, Claire Vigrass, is hotly tipped to take her first women's world Real Tennis title in Melbourne (Australia) next month.

Inaugural Girls Rackets at Queen's

Under 16 Girls Singles final: Millie Pughe (Wellington) beat Jess Billings (Haileybury) 15/12 15/10

Under 18 Girls Singles final: Lucinda Pigott (Clifton) beat Emma Powell (Clifton) 15/12 15/13

Photographs: Tim Edwards, Freddie Adam, Paulo Elias, Tory Wall, William Powell-Brett

M Bateman Cartoons The Rackets World Championship Doubles held in March 2011 used a modified Bateman

cartoon to promote the event here and in North America, and a number of people have enquired about the drawing.

©H M Bateman Designs

The original cartoon, seen above, and a Real Tennis cartoon which is equally finely-observed were commissioned by T&RA President Richard Greenwood. Richard took H M Bateman to Canford to watch him play the Pro at Tennis, and then they went on to Dartmouth to watch Rackets, not in front of the depicted huge crowd but in front of a few midshipmen! With Richard‟s consent and the blessing of HM Bateman‟s family we were allowed to use the Rackets cartoon in the 2011 World Doubles.

As a result of the interest shown it has been decided to make copies of both cartoons more widely available.

They can be ordered in A4 size by visiting the website

www.hmbateman.com. Richard will continue to offer

his A3 (original) versions of the prints for sale, please contact through Aggie in the T&RA Office office@tennisandrackets.com Proceeds from the larger prints go to the OER&TC. The OER&TC donates funds equally to support young Rackets and Tennis players, and to support the T&RA Young Professional Fund, so whilst you enjoy the cartoons you are contributing to 2 very worthy causes.

he T&RA MCC has its first weekend of

Tennis and motorcycling on the weekend of 22 July. 10 have committed so far – more T&RA

members are very welcome to join the fun in and around the Hyde Tennis Club. Contact Jamie Turner for more information. jt@jtbiz.com

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