Boys' Tennis: Jack Ransley - Champion!

Date: Friday 26 June 2009

In the glorious 'Wimbledon weather' of late June, 26 boys from every age group in the School competed for the 2009 individual singles' trophy won in 2008 by Will Hollis, then a member of the M5. This was the best tournament yet in terms of quality of tennis, as 26 singles' matches played over the best of 7 games (in the early rounds) or as short sets (in the latter stages), were played between 4.30pm and 8.00pm, when the final was decided.

Last year's winner Hollis was given a bye in the first round, whereupon he came up against an inspired Tim Saemann. Tim won a very tight affair and carried on into the semi-final, where he lost 3 - 6 to an in-form Henry Withrington, who thus booked his place in the final.

In the bottom half of the draw, the withdrawal through injury of 3rd seed Julius Nausch, opened up opportunities for several players. Rafi Stone, playing a well-tuned defensive game benefited the most to win through to the semi-final where he met Jack Ransley, who had beaten Thomas Wolters 6 - 4. This Stone-Ransley semi was a very tense affair, with Ransley struggling to come to terms with the Stone defence, but eventually shading it 6 - 5.

The stand out final set of the afternoon saw the Captain of Tennis take the title in his final challenge. Ransley broke serve to go 2 - 0 up, but was pegged back to 4 - 4 by Withrington's excellent ground strokes. At this point Ransley found the time to place winners, and his aggressive match play took him to the title with a 6 - 4 win.

Mr Millard offers his congratulations to the winner, and to all the other competitors who made the afternoon thoroughly worthwhile for all.