August 31, 2010
The third Quarterly Medal for 2010 was held at the Club last Saturday. A full field of 20 participants competed in the morning and afternoon sessions, with some great tennis being played and close matches being fought. Diane Rennard and a left-handed Brendan O’Brien were victorious in the morning, whilst Will Fowles and Alistair Hill triumphed in the afternoon.
Diane, Brendan, Will and Alistair are now eligible to compete in the Medal of Medallists competition on Finals Day in December.
The final Quarterly Medal for 2010 will be held on 16 October – make sure it’s in your diary!
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Posted by rmtcmelb
August 15, 2010
This year’s Richmond Silver Racket (which is open to the top 16 players by handicap) was played over the weekend with players handicaps ranging from 12 to 34. There were a number of good performances including Nick Shelton’s back-to-back 3 set wins against first Jon Hamer and then Alistair Hill. However, in the top half of the draw it was Graeme Blundstone of the HRTC who starred defeating along the way Owen Guest and Andrew Gould before defeating Nick in the semi-final 6/3 6/2. In the bottom half of the draw Dan Williams did well to make the semi-final before he fell victim to James Gould 6/3 6/5.
The final was played with Graeme (22.3) giving James (24.9) Rec ½ 15. James played his ever improving left handed combination of rangy stroke play and youthful abandon and Graeme, who looks like an accomplished lawn tennis player, ran and retrieved like Georgie Lewis’s most recently adopted canine. It took James about an hour to defend the honour of the RMTC as he completed his victory 6/5 6/4 and once again it was his left handed railroad that gave him his edge.
The only disappointing aspect of the event was that the club’s leading players did not take part.
James Gould def. Graeme Blundstone
6/5 6/4
Owen Guest
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July 18, 2010
The cold wet winter has brought out the best in RMTC social activity. On Wednesday, July 14 Bastille Day, Richard Travers delivered a wonderfully enlightening talk on two of the world’s older courts, Suze la Rousse and Pau. Out of the many tit-bits of information it was especially entertaining to hear that at the turn of the 19th century the junior pro at Pau was required to report to the committee any shenanigans the members daughters were getting up to in the Dedans – a requirement that has been passed down and still remains to this day. Afterwards everyone stayed for a feast of Beef Bourguignon and Chocolate Mousse.
On Friday night the club’s convivial atmosphere continued despite the occasion marking the departure of our professional Chris Chapman as he leaves us to take up a position at Hampton Court in England. Chris started work at the RMTC in September 2007 and in that time he has shown himself to be a gentleman and a first class professional. Chris’s game is improving rapidly because of both the support he has received and the work he has put in and so it comes as no surprise that he has been snapped up by an overseas club. We wish him all the best as he takes this next step in his real tennis journey. Over 70 people came to celebrate Chris’s time spent with us at the RMTC and a big thankyou goes out to Lizzie Brown, Helen Wheeler and Julie Baker for making the night the success it was.
Owen
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June 26, 2010
Last night, June 25th, the final of the Club Doubles Championship was played between reigning title holders Mike Happell/Bret Richardson and Kieren Booth/Daniel Williams. Despite it being nasty night outside, a good crowd gathered to watch what unfolded as an excellent exhibition for all concerned. Whilst it was no surprise that Mike and Bret were able to defend their title, Kieren showed that his comeback to the game is going at full steam and Dan, whose handicap is some 10+ handicap points higher than the others, looked like he belonged in the said company as he made almost every volley that came his way and defended the Grill and Tambour with courage and skill. Despite Kieren and Dan’s best efforts it was Mike and Bret who carried the day, or evening, and they remain the premier doubles combination in both the Club and country.
Final:
Happell/Richardson def. Booth/Williams 6/3 6/2 6/2
P.S. Barbara’s sausage rolls were a real treat and thankyou to Lizzie Brown and Fiona Hewson for your efforts on the night.
Owen
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June 26, 2010
On Monday 14th June we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II 84th birthday (actual birthday April 21) by playing round-robin handicap doubles. Good tennis interspersed by an Andrew Schnaider inspired lunch led to a jovial crowd staying on after their own tournaments were over to watch the finalists. It was fitting that the English pair of Nick Brodie and Steve Wood took out the event and it also marked the last time we shall see Nick Brodie for the time being as he has to go back to England. On behalf of the RMTC, Nick, bon voyage and we hope to see you back here as soon as possible.
Semi Finals:
Wayne Spring/Tim Hurburgh def. Sam Sandon/Julian Metzner
Nick Brodie/Steve Wood def. Kim Dudson/Mark Miller
Final:
Brodie/Wood def. Spring/Hurburgh 6/2
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June 12, 2010
Over 50s:
Wayne Spring/David Parker defeated Jon Hamer/Richard Hince
6/5 6/2
Over 60s:
Ted Cockram/Philip Barker defeated James Guest/Paul Wheeler
6/0 6/5
Over 70s:
John Hewson/Wheeler defeated Bob Malseed/Guest
6/2 6/0.
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June 12, 2010
Congratulations to D Special pennant winners:
Lancashire (Lesley O’Byrne, Stephanie Williams, Barry Johnson) defeated Hampshire (Lee Pessall, Fiona Hewson, Michelle O’Rorke).
And B Special pennant winners:
Hotham (Sarah Vigrass, Jonathan Buckley) defeated Mt Buller (Walter Cockram, Nick Brodie).
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June 3, 2010
Saturday 29 May Quarterly Medal winners were:
James Gould, Owen Guest, John Moran and Carla Story.
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June 3, 2010
Last Friday night the RMTC was seen at its finest when 70 odd enjoyed a Pasta Night and then kicked on into the night singing with Tony Bafunno. The mood was relaxed and enticing enough that Jon Hamer could be seen holding up the bar and singing tunes from about 10PM until 1AM. Others occasionally got a look in, Andrew Schnaider made Edith Piaf proud, Owen Guest found out he is no John-Paul Young and Paul Andrews belted out any tune that came into his head. New talent was unearthed in the hefty form of Will Fowles whose version of Mustang Sally early in the night, along with a few Joe Cocker dance moves, got everyone going. Later in the evening James and Georgie Gould sang a duet to much applause. And throughout all of this interference Tony Bafunno managed to keep playing all night long – as long as Tony sings the Beatles shall never die.
Well done and thankyou to Andrew Schnaider, Lizzie Brown, Michael Petruccelli, Frank Filippelli and Tony Bafunno for making such a special night.
Owen Guest
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June 3, 2010
On Friday morning last (21 May) 11 of the Empire’s finest met to play a little tennis, dine upon Salmon, eggs and toast and to reminisce about great battles past. Jonathan Sear made it a great morning by cooking a breakfast that would have had Napoleon consider changing sides. On the tennis front Ross Weber came fifth narrowly edging out Julia Page (who came either 4th or 6th) for a bottle of the Old Empires finest Gin (Bombay Sapphire). The tennis played was enjoyed by all and yet strangely difficult to describe.
Thankyou to Jonathan Sear for organising the morning.
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