18/05/18: Following swiftly on from the U13 final, the postponed U12 final took place at Eton earlier in the week and completed the full set of matches at this year's N/national Schools' Championships.
Mark Williams reports: An initially one-sided final, played in a very good spirit and at a high standard for this level, became much more interesting when Highgate threw caution to the wind in the 3rd game and played a much more attacking game.
Berkhamsted initially forged ahead, but Highgate caught up at 7-7 and it was nip and tuck to 10-10. Highgate were first to step at 12, but Berkhamsted showed plenty of character to level and win the decisive point.
The Berkhamsted pair had been very well coached and are both talented games players who love the game. Their ability to volley well with their left hands, determination not to let the ball bounce on top step whenever possible and vary their approach play with round the wall shots, gave them a significant advantage against a Highgate pair who were also talented but ultimately more predictable and slightly less consistent. However, if Highgate had sneaked the 3rd game…who knows!