Match report by Ian Burridge.

3 October at Roehampton

Defending champions Nottingham conceded home advantage to Roehampton, but things weren't looking promising at 9am with all the lawns under water. However a fantastic effort by the ground staff ensured that everything was perfect for the scheduled 11am start. The rain stopping meant that the Roehampton team were able to show off their named team shirts and sweatshirts which they had been provided with for the match, the players from both sides received a water bottle memento from the club.

The first match to finish was the doubles which was a relatively comfortable 7-5, 7-5 win for Harry Fisher and Mark Van Loon (Roehampton) against James Death and Ian Burridge (Nottingham). Fisher started well and he gained Roehampton a lead that Nottingham were unable to claw back. In game two the Roehampton pair came back from 3-5 down, winning 4 hoops in a row, to win the match 2-0.

After a slow start, Alain Giraud (Nottingham) came back against Tim Russell (Roehampton) to win the match 2-1, having lost the first game, a more conservative approach in games two and three being rewarded.

The last match of the morning to finish was Daniel Pearson (Roehampton) against Richard Bilton (Nottingham). After consistent hooping from both, Bilton took the first game at hoop 13. In game two, Bilton missed some clearances as Pearson began hitting his and levelled the match. Bilton was fortunate in game 3 as he missed a peg-high clearance which snuck through a gap between two balls to run the hoop for a 3-1 lead. After this, Pearson’s form began to dip and he lost 4 of the next 5 hoops giving Bilton a relatively comfortable 7-2 win in the decider.

The score at 'lunch’ was 2-1 to Nottingham. For Covid reasons lunch, provided by the club for both teams, was actually taken at a fixed time which happened to be whilst both the morning singles were still in progress.

The first match of the afternoon was Van Loon against Burridge, the first game of which was a hoop-running masterclass from Mark. Ian found some consistency in game two, and although there were times during the next two games where things could have gone either way, Ian ran out a relatively comfortable winner in three.

The first game between Russell and Bilton was close all the way, only one hoop between them until Richard took a 6-4 lead, Tim managed to take the game to hoop 13 but first ball to one yard position was good enough for Richard to win the game.

At around 3pm, with the crowd at its peak of about 20 spectators, the weather turned rather gloomy and the floodlights were switched on. Roehampton were also staging a mini comeback with Fisher taking the first game against Death, and Pearson 5-2 up to Giraud in game two, having lost the first. However in the other match Richard had other ideas, in another nip and tuck game, Richard took the lead with a long hoop 11 after a prolonged clearing battle. Again Tim managed to take it to the deciding hoop but again Richard’s first ball to position prevailed to win the match 7-6, 7-6 and given Nottingham an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Alain came back from behind against Dan to win the second at hoop 13, whilst Harry completed an accomplished performance winning the second and the match against James 7-4. This made the final score 5-2 to Nottingham, who with this victory completed a hat-trick of victories in the event.

John Bowcott was on hand to present the trophy and thank the club for their efforts and the players for the entertainment they had provided for the spectators. Ian Burridge also thanked the club and the Roehampton team for making it a most enjoyable day together along with his fellow team members and Euan Burridge and Ian Vincent for their participation during the earlier rounds. He ended by thanking the CA for enabling the event to take place in this difficult year, and John Bowcott for directing the Inter-Club competitions so well for many years.

 

The final results (Nottingham names first) were:

James Death & Ian Burridge lost to Harry Fisher & Mark Van Loon 5-7, 5-7.

Richard Bilton beat Daniel Pearson 7-6, 4-7, 7-2.

Alain Giraud beat Tim Russell 3-7, 7-4, 7-5.

 

James Death lost to Harry Fisher 5-7, 5-7.

Ian Burridge beat Mark Van Loon 5-7, 7-4, 7-3.

Richard Bilton beat Tim Russell 7-6, 7-6.

Alain Giraud beat Daniel Pearson 7-2, 7-6.