Thank you to all who attended the Real Tennis match dedicated to the memories of Ron Hughes (Staff.56-86), his wife Vera, Bernard Weatherill (6.64-69), and Keyvan Farmanfarmai (6.55-90) on Saturday 30th September at Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club in Warwickshire.
The tennis, as usual, was a combination of outrageous good fortune and complete blunders, but also a case of the mind being willing, but the body weak, and good intentions but poor execution!
Three pairs played against one another in the first session with handicaps around the 47 mark:
John (Fred) Elford (7.64-69) played with Jim Foxall (5.64-68)
John Burnett (SH.60-64) played with David Jenkins (5.60-65)
Tim Harper (3.62-66) played with Andrew Hamilton (Moreton Morrell member from Charterhouse)
The matches started level but on a rolling handicap basis. This sometimes resulted in one pair (who shall remain nameless) receiving 30, whilst their better opponents (on the day) owed 30. All three pairs reached 5-5 in games and 40-40 all in the final game. There is an added pressure on both pairs when there is only one point to play for victory – to avoid any embarrassment the scores are not recorded here!
The second half of the day was a match between:
Tom Bomford (7.94-99) (h’cap 16) and Nigel Draffan (1.64-69) (h’cap 32)
Simon Shenkman (6.77-82) (h’cap 22) and Philip Shaw-Hamilton (3.65-70) (h’cap 25).
Tom, according to Andrew (ex-chairman of MMTCC), is the best player (as a member, as opposed to visiting world champion Rob Fahey!) to have graced the court in its history. Nigel (Senior Chapel Prefect), thinking that Tom (Rabbit hutch junior) was far too young and inexperienced to play at the back, took on the role himself, leaving Tom rather perplexed and out of his comfort zone somewhere near the last gallery.
Simon took advantage of the situation hitting curved balls into Nigel’s corner, whilst I (much to Simon’s bemusement) tried to hit everything at Tom! The tennis was fast and furious and enjoyed by those on and off court, and, without a doubt, good fun was had by all – except Tom!
It was wonderful to welcome Ruth Shenkman with Simon, parents of the very talented Amateur Champion Rob Shenkman. Also a big welcome to Mike Byers (5.65-71) of long jump and goal-keeping fame. He would love to play but a shoulder injury prevents him from picking up a racket.
The matches were followed by a convivial lunch, with toasts to Ron and Vera, Keyvan, and Bernard. A wonderful day of sport, reminiscing and camaraderie.
Report by Philip Shaw-Hamilton
OM Court Games Secretary
Next year’s match will take place on Saturday 5th October 2024. All OMs are welcome to attend.
Further details about the OM Court Games Club.
(Photograph from left to right – Nigel Draffan, Andrew Hamilton, Tom Bomford, Simon and Ruth Shenkman, Tim Harper, David Jenkins, Jim Foxall, John Elford, John Burnett, Mike Byers)