A severe beating....

Well everyone gets a thrashing at some stage... and it was my turn (again) on Friday. The scoreline was something like this - 5/6 0/6 0/6 - and I did wonder what the heck happened! Maybe I fell asleep/went walkabout/lost the plot, or a combination of the 3.

The only thing that saved the day, was my growing repertoire of serves (can't think who taught me those...) and the odd volley return of serve. Very odd, yes... I must be the only person who can hit 3 volleys in succession off the racket frame.

But you know what? Losing is not the end of the world. (Oh ok it is really) Real Tennis is a great game and I just love to play.

I can't finish this post without mentioning that Rafael Nadal gave Andy Murray another bashing in Toronto this week.... As I write, Rafa has just won the Toronto Masters and is almost level with a certain Mr Federer in World ranking points. If Federer loses in Cincinati quarters AND Rafa wins the tournament, then Rafa will be No 1 by the US Open.

(Couldn't resist that... I'd love to see Rafa play Real Tennis - I'd hate to be the one to tell him you can't topspin a Real Tennis ball....)

See you all soon

Ian Vigrass and David Hunter beat the pros 10/8! 3 wins from 3 for the Vigrass/Hunter combo....... Surely a matter of time before they go top?

Summer Doubles Update

Defending champions Claire Vigrass and Peter Holmes today took on Ian Vigrass and David Hunter in the latest Summer League Doubles match. Claire's match preperations were unorthadox, instead of the usual routine of stretching and jogging she spent half an hour slumped on the ProShop sofa... Sounds like my kind of warm-up :)

However, her 'PowerNap' proved unsuccessful as Ian and David made the most of the handicap they recieved and romped to a 10/5 victory. The match was full of some fantastic tennis from both sides - a clip of which can be seen here... To set the scene, Ian and David are defending a better than 1 yard chase...

Summer Doubles League

David Hunter/Ian Vigrass started their summer league campaign with a huge 10/3 win over Tony Blake and Tim Collins!! They leap into the playoffs!

Summer Doubles Result

After a tight close match last night (cough cough) JLR and Will Stephens climbed out of the wooden spoon position with a 10/3 win over Hills/Vigrass.





Praise the Lord that JLR didn't play like a complete donkey again last night!

Summer Doubles League - Frustration prevails!

"Its not my fault if my partner couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo :-)"

Thanks JLR!

Will

PS the feeling was mutual!

Summer Doubles League - Its a close one!

Last night's classic! Hills/Vigrass beat Mead/Lodge 10/9! 9 All 40-40 match ball!

Ten Years of Real Tennis at Prested Celebrations

Real Tennis will have been at Prested Hall for ten years in Spring 2009 (exact date is in some dispute!). Plans are now afoot to celebrate this fact sometime next year.

There is a working group, now known as the Tenth Anniversary Celebration 2009 working group, TACTWG, and the members are Brian Eaton, Will Stephens, Tim Collins, Kate Evers, Alix Barfett, AJ and Gael Vigrass. Mike Carter and Ricardo will aslo inevitably be very involved in the process.

If you have any views or suggestions in connection with the celebrations, please feel free to speak to any of the TACTWG!

Watch this space for developments.

Summer Doubles League Update

We have new leaders at the top of the table! Wilko and Mitchell played (and beat!) JLR and Stephens 10/5 last night. After romping to an 8/0 lead - and with the bagel looming - JLR and Stephens won 5 of the next 6, but could not stop Wilko and Mitchell from clinching the victory...