The Chronicle, Autumn 2018

44 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Tennis By Nick Permain, Master i/c Tennis

St Edward’s Tennis Club enjoyed a successful summer season that culminated in our first trophy at the Independent Schools Championships in recent history and saw the emergence of big hopes for the future. The girls’ 1st VI had a tough start to the season against Cheltenham, suffering a very narrow loss. The squad, led by Captain Emily Potter, never looked back, winning the next two games comfortably against Oxford High and Bloxham. Hattie Batstone and Tara Wilson played extremely well together against Bloxham and this was a partnership that would build as the season progressed. Helena Beccle and Jess MacLeod, playing together for the first time, also produced

an excellent display of tennis to win 2 of 3 matches. Helena and Jess’s positivity both in training and in matches was an example to all. The winning streak continued, after they recorded a comprehensive 8-1 win against MCS. Notably, the 1st pair, Kyla Haslett-Hawkins and Emily Potter, had won all of their fixtures to date and were playing exceptionally well together. Kyla’s calm under pressure was hugely impressive as was her consistency. They then played a Dean Close team who were through to the nationals and undefeated all season. The 1st VI pushed them close in each match but suffered defeat in this fixture. However, this was an important challenge for the team.

Going into the next fixture against Bradfield, our team responded emphatically to win 11-5. Rosie Turner, Alice Isola and Bea Mountain played tremendously well, whilst Kyla and Emily returned to their previous good form, winning all of their matches. With the majority of the team returning to the team next season as well as promising Fifth Formers and new Lower Sixth, we are already looking forward to the summer. The girls’ 2nd VI had a challenging season, but they played well as a team and showed a marked improvement as the season progressed. Bea Mountain and Alice Isola led the team well throughout, whilst Maddie Wright and Lara Engel formed an impressive partnership.

Despite a very tricky opening fixture against Cheltenham, the girls’ U18C team went on to win 2 of their next 3 fixtures and made huge progress on the tennis courts. There were notable contributions throughout the team from Ella Leeson, Alanna McCrum, Lily Thorne and Gwendoline Davenport. The D team also earned a hard fought victory against Bloxham with a standout performance from Josie Piech and Phoebe Cain. The boys’ team also began the season with a difficult start against Cheltenham. Despite the team captains, Harvey and Edmund Elvidge, winning 2 of 3 matches, they suffered a narrow loss. They then played brilliantly against Bloxham to win the fixture 9-0. Building on this, they played extremely well against Dean Close to win 6-3. The 1st VI then played well but came up short against strong Eton and Magdalen teams. Edmund and Harvey again played superbly against Eton, winning 2 of 3 matches. The season ended with an extremely close defeat by Malvern College 4-5.

Hamish Roots OSE

Mike Denvir and Alice Isola, part of the victorious mixed 2nd VI v Stowe