This year’s tournament enjoyed another large entry, not quite in line with 2011, as twenty schools initially submitted entries in at least one of the three age groups; and it was especially good to welcome a small contingent from Merchiston Castle. Eleven of these schools had representation in one or other of the singles finals, and a new name will have been inscribed on the Under 14 doubles trophy.
In the Open tournament, David Butler (Bradfield) was seen as the player to beat, and as in the West of England, despite the best efforts of several Paulines, nobody quite managed it. His consistency, retrieving and athleticism make him a tough opponent. There were few upsets in the earlier rounds, and in the all-Pauline semi-final Francis Thomas reversed the West of England result against Theo Parker. It was no great surprise that they went on as St Paul’s I to win the doubles, in a hard-hitting final against Derby Moor – revenge for the semi-final defeat in straight games of SPS II, and the quarter-final (in three) against SPS III, fresh (?) themselves from a three-game win over the Merchant Taylors’ first pair, who understandably went on to win the plate.
The Colts’ tournament was remarkable for a very high standard of play achieved by those especially who qualified as group winners on Day 1: four of the six play-off matches went to a deciding game, the biggest upset coming when the inexperienced Obieta-Chichizola (SPS) defeated Winchester’s highly-ranked ben Chua. Sam Wyatt-Haines (Blundells) retained his position as champion, and as in 2011 his greatest challenge came from Yul Kahn-Pascual (St Paul’s), this time in a final of extraordinary quality and athleticism.
The Colts’ doubles was always likely to be an all St Paul’s affair, won by Ben Beltrami and Oliver Arnold, neither of whom had been troubled by morning singles finals (Yul was paired with plate winner Ben Ashraf). Honourable mention to both semi-finalists, Derby Moor, and particularly Sedbergh, whose squad was unfortunate to leave empty-handed after another spirited and enjoyable campaign.
The Under 14 competition had a similar (vast) entry to last year, and the standard of play was probably even higher. The final was an epic, won in three games by Abdul Ahmed (Christ’s Hospital) against Sam Mossaheb (Winchester), in his first year of playing the game. Sam fought back after losing the first game, but was in the end unable to defend against a very powerful right hand. Both plate competitions were won by players from Alleyn’s, but there were distinguished performances from a large number of promising players in all three competitions. Tiredness from the singles final may have contributed to some of the afternoon results, but after losing their first game Christ’s Hospital went on to win the plate. Winchester reached the semi-final but were edged out by Whitgift, who then took the final in a 70-minute monster of a match, 11-9 in the third game against a plucky and skilful pair of Merchistonians.
Many thanks to all involved in organisation and support, especially to a large number of parents who clearly enjoyed the experience and learnt a bit about the game as well! The whole championship was played in an excellent spirit, with the highest standards of sportsmanship and manners on court and camaraderie off it.
RESULTS
Open Singles
Pool A: 1st D.Butler (Bradfield); 2nd S.Woollard (Winchester); 3rd M.Baxter (Derby Moor); 4th A.Shah (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool B: 1st S.Browett (Alleyn’s); 2nd A.Gemade (Christ’s Hospital); 3rd A.Sinclair (Merchiston Castle)
Pool C: 1st E.Wylde (Winchester); 2nd G.Johnston (St Paul’s); 3rd A.Jones (Bedford)
Pool D: 1st S.Russell (St Paul's), 2nd E.Thornton (Oundle); 3rd A.Roden (Rugby)
Pool E: 1st M.Frost (Derby Moor); 2nd R.Lamb (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd A.Barron (St Paul’s); 4th C.Davey (Bedford)
Pool F: 1st T.Parker (St Paul’s); 2nd D.Barnes (Eastbourne); 3rd J.Rice (Bedford); 4th J.Papadopoulos (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool G: 1st R.Law (St Paul’s); 2nd R.Patel (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd G.Woodfield (Oundle)
Pool H: 1st M.Shaw (St Paul’s); 2nd A.Tunstall (Alleyn’s); 3rd N.Finney (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool I: 1st Z.Brubert (Alleyn’s); 2nd V.Patel (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd H.Sloan (Oundle)
Pool J: 1st O.Quarry (St Paul’s); 2nd C.Kent (Eastbourne); 3rd J.Pascoe (Oundle)
Pool K: 1st F.Thomas (St Paul’s); 2nd G.Terry (Rugby); 3rd A.Rees (Bradfield); 4th (rtd) Callaghan (Christ’s Hospital)
Round 1: Wylde beat Browett 11-2, 11-1; Shaw beat Law 11-12, 11-0, 11-4; Brubert beat Quarry 11-3, 11-1.
Quarter-finals: Butler beat Wylde 11-0, 11-4; Russell beat Frost 12-10, 11-3; Parker beat Shaw 11-2, 11-5; Thomas beat Brubert 11-2, 11-5
Semi-finals: Butler beat Russell 11-6, 11-4; Thomas beat Parker 11-3, 11-7
Final: Butler beat Thomas 11-6, 11-5
First plate: Johnston
Second plate: Sinclair
Open Doubles
Preliminary round: Oundle I beat Merchant Taylors’ II 12-11, 11-9; St Dunstan’s beat Bedford I 11-6, 11-3; Alleyn’s II beat merchant Taylors’ III 11-2, 11-1; Oundle II beat Bedford II 12-11, 11-7.
1st round: St Paul’s I beat Oundle I 11-1, 11-0; Bradfield beat Christ’s Hospital 11-3, 11-5; Winchester beat Rugby 11-4, 11-1; Alleyn’s I beat St Dunstan’s 11-3, 11-5; Derby Moor beat Alleyn’s II 11-2, 11-4; St Paul’s III beat Merchant Taylors’ I 11-6, 7-11, 11-6; St Paul’s IV beat Eastbourne 11-8, 11-3; St Paul’s II beat Oundle II 11-0, 11-0
Quarter-finals: St Paul's I beat Bradfield 11-3, 11-4; Alleyn’s I beat Winchester II 11-9, 11-6; Derby Moor beat St Paul’s III 11-2, 8-11, 11-9; St Paul’s II beat St Paul’s IV 11-2, 11-7
Semi-finals: St Paul’s I beat Alleyn’s I 11-8, 11-0; Derby Moor beat St Paul’s II 11-8, 11-7
Final: St Paul’s I (Thomas/Parker) beat Derby Moor (Frost/Baxter) 11-4, 11-7
Plate: Merchant Taylors’ I (R Patel/ V Patel)
Colts Singles
Pool A: 1st S.Wyatt-Haines (Blundell’s); 2nd A.Hubbard (Alleyn’s); 3rd D.Hutt (Tonbridge); 4th C.Baxter (Derby Moor)
Pool B: 1st O.Arnold (St Paul’s); 2nd E.Tebboth (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd L.Brandon (Whitgift);
Pool C: 1st R.Whitehorn (Derby Moor); 2nd J.Duffield (Sedbergh); 3rd J.Smith (Winchester)
Pool D: 1st M.Hunter (Rugby); 2nd H.Searle (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd Norris (Christ’s Hospital)
Pool E: 1st O.Thompson (Sedbergh); 2nd V.Patel (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd F.Dalby-Bowler (Alleyn’s)
Pool F: 1st M.Blunden (Derby Moor); 2nd P.Prabhu (St Paul’s); 3rd T.Robinson (Sedbergh
Pool G: 1st B.Lawry (Sedbergh); 2nd L.Beddow (Alleyn’s); 3rd Sessions (Christ’s Hospital)
Pool Hi: 1st Y.Kahn-Pascual (St Paul's); 2nd Morgan (Christ’s Hospital); 3rd D.Abbas (Whitgift)
Pool Hii: 1st T.Owen (St Dunstan’s); 2nd F de Courcy Ireland (Alleyn’s); 3rd B.Taberham (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool I: 1st S.Obieta-Chichizola (St Paul's); 2nd L.Brady (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd R.Thicknesse (Alleyn’s)
Pool J: 1st B.Chua (Winchester); 2nd B.Ashraf (St Paul’s); 3rd O.Martyn (Tonbridge)
Pool K: 1st R.Christie (Derby Moor); 2nd L.Stone (Sedbergh); 3rd H.George (Tonbridge)
Pool L: 1st T.Walters (Whitgift); 2nd A.Atwal (Bedford); 3rd A.Shah (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool M: 1st B.Beltrami (St Paul's); 2nd C.Farmer (Sedbergh); 3rd O.Horner (Whitgift); 4th Higginson (Christ’s Hospital)
Round 1: Arnold beat Whitehorn 11-7, 9-11, 11-5; Thompson beat Hunter 10-12, 11-6, 11-2; Lawry beat Blunden 12-11, 11-3; Kahn-Pascual beat Owen 11-0, 11-4; Obieta-Chichizola beat Chua 4-11, 11-9, 11-5; Walters beat Christie 3-11, 11-7, 11-3.
Quarter-finals: Wyatt-haines beat Arnold 11-1, 11-0; Lawry beat Thompson 11-7, 7-11, 11-4; Kahn-Pascual beat Obieta-Chichizola 11-0, 11-1; Beltrami beat Walters 11-3, 11-4
Semi-finals: Wyatt-Haines beat Lawry 11-2, 11-3; Kahn-Pascual beat Beltrami 11-7, 11-8
Final: Wyatt-Haines beat Kahn-Pascual 11-2, 9-11, 11-1
First plate: Ashraf
Second plate: Horner (Whitgift)
Colts Doubles
1st round: Merchant Taylors’ II beat Tonbridge II 11-2, 11-6; St Paul’s III beat Christ’s Hospital II 11-1, 11-3; Sedbergh III beat Whitgift II 6-11, 11-2, 11-3.
2nd Round: St Paul’s I beat Alleyns II 11-0, 11-1; Sedbergh II beat Whitgift I 11-2, 11-6; Winchester beat Derby Moor II 11-6, 9-11, 11-8; Sedbergh I beat Merchant Taylors’ II 11-1, 11-0; Derby Moor I beat St Paul’s III 11-2, 11-4; Tonbridge I beat Alleyn’s I 2-11, 11-2, 11-5; Merchant Taylors’ I beat Christ’s Hospital I 11-5, 12-10; St Paul’s II beat Sedbergh III 11-0, 11-0.
Quarter-finals: St Paul’s I beat Sedbergh II 11-1, 11-3; Sedbergh I beat Winchester I 11-1, 11-3; Derby Moor I beat Tonbridge I 11-1, 11-4; St Paul's II beat Merchant Taylors’ I 11-2, 11-0
Semi-finals: St Paul’s I beat Sedbergh I 11-3, 11-8; St Paul’s II beat Derby Moor I 11-1, 11-4.
Final: St Paul’s I (Beltrami/Arnold) beat St Paul’s II (Kahn-Pascual/Ashraf) 11-4, 11-9
Plate: Whitgift I (Walters/Brandon)
U14 Singles
Pool A: 1st S.Mossaheb (Winchester); 2nd K.Thomas (Tonbridge); 3rd A.Hamilton (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool B: 1st H.Tyler (Tonbridge); 2nd T.Watson (St Paul’s); 3rd A.Howard (Winchester) 4th F.Carr (Oundle)
Pool C: 1st A.Taylor (St Paul’s); 2nd R.Thomson (Sedbergh); 3rd S.Johnson (Derby Moor); 4th T.Dawber (Alleyn’s)
Pool D: 1st B.Morris (Merchiston Castle); 2nd Kennedy (Christ’s Hospital); 3rd M.Guy (Malvern)
Pool E: 1st L.Heidrich (St Paul’s); 2nd Martin (Marlborough); 3rd H.Orlebar (Oundle)
Pool F: 1st B.Ford (Whitgift); 2nd C.McKinney (Sedbergh); 3rd I.Jagger (Alleyn’s); 4th N.Stephenson (Merchant Taylors’)
Pool G: 1st Ganejran (Whitgift); 2nd J.Wall (Merchant Taylors’); 3rd Shingleton (Marlborough); 4th Roberts (Christ’s Hospital)
Pool H: H.Thompson-Green (Sedbergh); 2nd H.Daniels (Oundle); 3rd L.Keates (Derby Moor)
Pool I: 1st K.Leadbetter (Winchester); 2nd B.Singh (Derby Moor); 3rd D.Raza (Whitgift);
Pool J: 1st J.Hanton (Alleyn’s); 2nd Connolly (Sedbergh); 3rd C.Salvest (St Paul’s); 4th M.Arkell (Oundle)
Pool K: 1st J.Grut (Whitgift); 2nd C.Boswall (Winchester); 3rd J.Murphy (Merchant Taylors’); 4th J.Halligan (Derby Moor)
Pool L: 1st C.Mabbutt (Whitgift); 2nd K.Jessel (Alleyn’s); 3rd J.Ellis (Oundle)
Pool M: 1st L.Baird (Merchiston Castle); 2nd T.Dawber (Alleyn’s); 3rd J.Byford (Tonbridge)
Pool N: 1st Ahmed (Christ’s Hospital); 2nd C.Zehner (Winchester); 3rd Wheeler (Marlborough);
Pool O: 1st R.Quinault (Winchester); 2nd Burdett (Marlborough); 3rd J.Smith (Oundle)
Pool P: 1st M.Allsopp (Malvern); 2nd R.Patel (St Paul’s); 3rd K.Francis (Whitgift)
1st round: Mossaheb beat Tyler 11-0; Morris beat Taylor 11-6; Heidrich beat Ford 11-5; Thompson-Green beat Ganejran 11-0; Hanton beat Leadbetter 11-5; Mabbutt beat Grut 11-6; Ahmed beat Baird 11-9; Allsopp beat Quinault 11-5
Quarter-finals: Mossaheb beat Morris 11-7; Thompson-Green beat Heidrich 12-11; Mabbutt beat Hanton 11-6; Ahmed beat Allsopp 11-6
Semi-finals: Mossaheb beat Thompson-Green 15-9; Ahmed beat Mabbutt 15-9
Final: Ahmed beat Mossaheb 11-8, 3-11, 11-6
First plate: Dawber
Second plate: Jagger
U14 Doubles
1st round: Whitgift III beat Derby Moor II 15-4; Tonbridge beat Marlborough II 15-12; St Paul’s II beat Christ’s Hospital 15-12; Alleyn’s II beat Merchant Taylors’ I 15-8; St Paul’s III beat Oundle III 15-1; Winchester II beat Marlborough I 15-4; Merchiston Castle beat Sedbergh II 15-3; Alleyn’s I beat Winchester III 15-3; Merchant Taylors’ II beat Oundle I 15-1; Whitgift II beat Oundle III 15-1
2nd round: Winchester I beat Whitgift III 15-0; St Paul's II beat Tonbridge 15-1; Sedbergh I I beat Alleyn’s II 15-5; Whitgift I beat St Paul’s III 15-2; Winchester II beat Derby Moor I 15-8; Merchiston Castle beat Malvern I 15-4; Alleyn’s I beat Merchant Taylors’ II 15-1; St Paul’s I beat Whitgift II 15-12
Quarter-finals: Winchester I beat St Paul's II 15-9; Whitgift I beat Sedbergh I 15-8; Merchiston Castle beat Winchester II 15-9; St Paul’s I beat Alleyn’s I 15-11
Semi-finals: Whitgift I beat Winchester I 15-13; Merchiston Castle beat St Paul's I 15-10
Final: Whitgift I (Mabbutt/Ford) beat Merchiston Castle (Baird/Morris) 10-12, 11-6, 11-9
Plate: Christ’s Hospital (Ahmed/Kennedy)