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ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Tennis
By Andrew Dalgleish, Master i/c Tennis
As a major sport for girls, a competitive
sport for boys and the British summer
social sport for many, tennis at St Edward’s
has many faces. In addition, the academic
complexities of the Summer Term mean
that tennis faces a number of challenges.
Fortunately, wonderful facilities, committed
staff and talented pupils all ensure that
tennis maintains a strong position.
For the elite players the winter
programme grew this year with indoor
training opportunities three mornings a
week at 6.50am from October and the
extra hours certainly paid dividends for the
top teams. Those players who regularly
obeyed their alarm clocks and faced the
bitter, dark mornings to reach the indoor
courts certainly started the outdoor
season on the sporting front foot. The
girls’ 1st VI were a young but committed
group led inspirationally by Romey Oulton
(Thomas’s Battersea)
. The highlight of the
season was the demolition of Cheltenham
and also Romey paired with Serena Lloyd
(Dragon)
qualifying for the second day at the
prestigious ISTA competition. The U15 A
and B girls’ teams had outstanding seasons
and were, based on results alone, the joint
most successful sports teams of the Summer
Term. Both groups lost just once in a busy
season and quite often they won their
matches in very convincing style.
Far fewer boys played tennis last term
but under the leadership of Mr Hahn, the
1st VI competed with schools who operate
much larger boys’ tennis programmes. Whilst
the depth of our boys’ tennis is shallow by
comparison, our lead players are able to
compete with the very best. The Elvidge
brothers, all three of them
(Sussex House),
have the notable record of appearing at
some point across all teams. Greg Kratt
(Swanbourne House)
had the very noteworthy
accolade of captaining the senior 1st VI as
a Fifth Former and with his regular partner
Jack Power
(St Hugh’s)
, he played with great
maturity and class.
Well done to all who represented the
School and to those who made meaningful
progress throughout the term.
Clara Wilson (
Cheam
)
Alice Isola (
Sotogrande International
)