This year’s annual Noel Bruce rackets tournament had a record entry, with over 70 alumni pairs representing 16 different schools. Although Malvern only had two pairs this year, both were fortunate to bypass qualifying and were into the main draw as 4th and 6th seeds.
The Malvern second pair of Wellington professional Ryan Tulley (2.95-00) and Tom Bomford (7.94-99) had a tough first round against a strong Haileybury second pair containing last year’s Foster Cup winner. They went a game down and it may have been a different result if they’d lost the next as well, but they were able to steal the second game by the tightest of margins, 17-16. They managed to seal the match over two more close games, with the experience of the Malvern pair just giving them the composure to get over the line.
They were then scheduled to potentially play the 1st seeds in the quarter finals, but Haileybury 1 had to withdraw due to an injury, which meant Malvern 2 would face the Rugby pair instead. Once again, the Malvern experience came to the fore, allowing Tom and Ryan to progress to an unexpected semi-final spot!
Experience was an important factor in the Malvern first pairs progress through the draw too. Playing a strong Tonbridge qualifying pair in the first round, the service length control of Ben Bomford and the firepower of Will Annetts (9.12-17) proved decisive. Their quarter final draw against the Winchester pair containing former doubles world champion Christian Portz would prove a tougher test. Winchester took a strong lead in the first game, but Malvern were able to absorb the pressure and showed great resilience defending multiple game points, mounting a great come back to take the first game 17-14. It was a similar tale in the second and third game, with the consistency and control showed by Malvern proving enough to take the match.
Which set up an all-Malvern semi-final, guaranteeing a Malvern finalist for the first time since the Mark Hubbard (SH.87-92)/Ben Bomford win in 2010! There was perhaps some trepidation from the over 40s players on court at the prospect of a marathon best of 7! In the end the match was played in predictably good spirit, with some enjoyable rally exchanges between the Bomford brothers and excellent hitting and shot making from Ryan and Will. In the end Malvern 1 proved too strong, winning the semi-final 4-2.
The opponents for Malvern in the final would be the Cheltenham pair, made up of current doubles world champion, Richard Owen and top five player Alex Duncliffe-Vines, three times winners of the tournament. A formidable task indeed. Over the last few years, the quality of Will Annetts play has brought him to the fringes of the top 10 in the World and a Canadian Amateur singles title. Ben Bomford (7.92-97) has proven himself one of the most consistent performers on the circuit with world class retrieval and defensive skills. The Malvern pair asked some serious questions of their opponents and seemed to have them rattled, taking a 2-1 lead in the match. However, the Cheltenham pair were able to reset and display the formidable ball striking that has earned them multiple titles. Malvern showed true grit going toe to toe with the Cheltenham pair, who had not dropped a game in the tournament on their route to the final. It wasn’t to be Malvern’s day though, eventually losing 4-2, but they can be extremely proud of their performance in the final.
With some exciting new OM prospects coming through, we’re hopeful that the Noel Bruce entry and Malvern presence on the rackets circuit goes from strength to strength.
By Tom Bomford (7.94-99)