The Professional Rackets Championships took place at Malvern College on 3rd – 4th February.
We had three OM representatives in the Professionals competition – Mark Hubbard (SH.87-92), Ryan Tulley (2.95-00) and Ben Bomford (7.92-97). Mark went onto win the doubles competition with Noel Brett (Malvern’s Rackets Coach), displaying the exceptional shot making flair he’s known for and that enabled him to become World Doubles Rackets champion in 2007. Ben and Ryan were in the bottom half of the singles draw and both progressed to the semi final, with Ben taking the win this time to set up a final against current world champion, Ben Cawston. The world champion proved too big a challenge in the final, but Ben B displayed tenacity and phenomenal retrieval skills against an incredibly strong opponent.
Malvern College Rackets, under the guidance of all the professionals over the last 70 years – Ron Hughes, Roger Tolchard, Tim Roberts, Noel Brett and Mark Hubbard – has become a great proving ground for future professionals and coaches of the game. There is a legacy of passionate contributors to the game that Malvern should be incredibly proud of: Former pupils Roger Tolchard (4.60-64) and Phillip Rosser (6.72-77) went on to have successful careers as rackets professionals at Malvern and Rugby School respectively; Mark Hubbard has worked at Radley and is now incumbent at Malvern; Ryan Tulley, formerly of the Montreal Racquet Club and is now the Wellington College professional; and Ben Bomford has been the Rackets Professional at Queens Club since 2016. This is testament to the inspiring history, courts and community of Malvern College rackets.
With the courts refurbishment in 2010, we are truly blessed with one of the best rackets facilities in the country. We hope to conclude the strong season with a good turnout at the British Open Doubles at the end of March.
Words by Tom Bomford (7.94-99)
[Photo: Ben Bomford (7.92-97) (left) with Ben Cawston]