Ged and Will’s Division 2 final was played last Friday night at The Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace. Neither were under any illusion as to how difficult it was going to be, having shared honours in the two regular-season matches, and perhaps critically, having lost the last one at RTC.

The RTC court is a big one, and in some parts eccentric, but fortunately takes railroads well as it is a Will specialty . It was this serve that garnered Will the first set 6/3. His opponent, David Watson did commit more errors than usual but it was due to pressure our man created.

Inevitably Watson did start to eradicate his errors and made more of a match of it, but Will had found his game and a comfort zone. He repelled attack after another with great retrieving, and was not wasteful with his offensive opportunities. It was a great sight to see Will confidently round on forehands and backhands alike to pound away at the grille and dedans.

Even when Watson managed the second set to 5 games all, Will didn’t blink. A deuce-advantage sequence ensued, in which he beat a number of short chases, and then clinically finished his man off. Watson is a quality player, particularly on his home court, but Will had his number and all the answers on the night.

Buoyed by the important lead, things were going to plan, as Ged and Will had decided prior to proceedings that they didn’t want to have to win it in the Doubles – they had been a bit hit-and-miss in the doubs this season. However would Ged’s opponent, Stef King, comply?

To start with – yes. Even in mis-firing all his railroads, Ged took an ominous 2-0, 40-15 lead before Stef found his feet. But he found them firmly. Winning the third game gave him a foothold where he launched his attack. Ged’s level of play did not dip but suddenly Stef was everywhere, hitting everything; even our man’s best shots were being returned with interest. First set RTC 6/2.

And it was unabating. Almost without pause to acknowledge his first set win Stef continued his plunder in taking the honours in the series of tight games that started the second set, and resistance appeared futile. Stef is an enigmatic player, but on this evening he was irresistible, and definitely the uncoronated MVP of Division 2.

So to the dreaded doubles. Well, not so much dreaded but uncertain. Our team knew they still had reason to be optimistic. With the season on the line in a short format match, and in a game where a few key points can decide so much it’s almost penalty shoot-out stuff.

The team started well with Ged serving short to induce the crosscourt cut shot to Will’s commanding forehand. Will picked up where he’d left off serving beautifully tight railroads, and our duo controlled play from the service end. Brilliant exchanges showcasing all players attacking and retrieving skills demonstrated the desperation of all, but it was MURTC who hung tough for a handy 5-3 lead.

Then without discernable change in momentum the enemy reeled off 3 tough games and it started to smack of the deciding doubles against CURTC in the semi-final (3-7 down). Maybe it was familiarity with this perilous position, having been one game away from season end that allowed our pair the confidence to know they could.

Levelling at 6-apiece, Ged got one opportunity to smack a mainwall, which he took,  that clinched the 13th game, before Will hit 3 untouchable returns of serve to ice the last. A brilliant night.

This capped the best National League season in the Club’s history. We entered 5 teams, all achieving not only finals contention, but also the Final of their leagues. Division 6’s Robert Dickinson, Aldona Greenwood & Johnny Beale executed themselves well but couldn’t topple the strong RTC team at the same venue, and James LaTerriere couldn’t quite clinch his match for the title in Division 9. Successes came in Premier Division, 2 & 7, and we’ll claim a half for Matty’s success in Division 1!

Many congratulations to all involved, and thanks to those who came to watch and support.