SPORT// TENNIS
BOYS TENNIS
1st VI / 2nd VI
1st: P6 / W3 / D0 / L3
2nd: P3 / W1 / D0 / L2
After an initial heavy defeat against an
extremely strong St. Peter’s team, the
1st VI suffered narrow defeats against
Ampleforth and Worksop (a match in
which defeat was snatched from the
jaws of victory!) before enjoying success
U15 VI / U14 VI
A hard fought season for the boys, starting
with an encouraging number attending
training on Tuesday’s and Thursday –
much improved on the previous season.
Our initial games were very much
developmental; representing the school
well against St Peters, Ampleforth and
Barnard Castle. Too many games were
lost but these early matches allowed the
boys to develop their skills and most
important have fun playing tennis. The
initial lack of games won came to halt
U13 VI / U12 VI
The team has gone from strength to
strength, with 20 players being selected
to represent the school, allowing us to
run a A, B and C team if we wanted.
It has been very encouraging to see the
development of all the players and there
is genuine competition for places in the
A team from the second pair down. The
first pair of Luke and Emilion have led
from the front, hardly dropping points,
never mind sets, very ably supported
by Charlie Wake and his either of
his playing partner Zac or George.
At the time of writing we are about to
play the next round of the Aegon Cup
which hopefully will take us through to
playing in September. We have played
80
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
against Woodhouse Grove and Hymers.
In the U18 York League, we defeated
Bootham 4-2 before a concession
from Bishopthorpe handed us the title.
The Senior House matches were won
comfortably by Gruggen (trophy to be
collected by Alejandro Herraez Cortes).
The 2nd VI enjoyed a good win
against Worksop after suffering defeats
by St. Peter’s & Ampleforth. I would
like to thank all the squad for making
against Woodhouse Grove, with U14s
taking the win and U15s losing by only
the narrowest of margins.
The glory of our British weather then
blessed us; a fixture against Scarborough
was fought hard and victorious. At
Bootham we were less than successful
in the York league. But not to have our
enthusiasm dampened, two matches
were played against Hymers, providing
opportunities for all to improve. One
heavy loss, but then in fine style the
second was a resounding victory for
Pocklington. Long standing members
of the squad and new recruits have
Woodhouse Grove, Silcoates, St Martins,
Hymers with only St Olaves winning the
fixture, both home and away. The lower
school team have been very impressive
in winning games not just against their
opposite pair but in raising their game
beating the upper pairs as well. It is
so pleasing that the school is being
successful in such width of sports and
with so many different students showing
their skills and abilities throughout a very
hard summer term, both physically and
mentally for these young boys.
Most Improved Player:
James Couttie and Will Jones
Player of the Season: Emilien Barreau
On a personal note, I was a little
nervous that I was given tennis at
themselves available throughout the
public exam period; it was a shame that
the 2ndVI had no fixtures after half
term due to other schools not being in
the same position.
Half Colours Awarded to:
Alejandro and to Jeffery Tse.
Senior Player of the Year:
Charlie Medforth
Most Improved Player:
Harry Heywood
enjoyed a good season of tennis and
we ended with a friendly draw against
Silcoates. Early defeats and later hard
fought victories sum up the term. We
have finished the season knowing we
have played to win, represented the
school well and most of all had fun.
The U14 and U15 squad have grown
both in numbers and in ability and we
look forward to an even better season
next year.
Player of the Year: Henry Lunt
Most Improved Player:
George Langworthy
school, having played at school and
University, and not since! However it
has been a great term, due to the hard
work, smiles, great play of the pupils,
the commitment and support of the
staff and the sunny weather. The find of
the season could be Matthew Brown’s
forehand, unleashed down the line.
Awesome! The most consistent shot
being Luke Moseley’s 2nd serve. I have
been very privileged to have seen some
great tennis played this term and in our
last fixture, our lower school players
playing against Silcoates Senior pair
and being the best players on the court.
Well done to everyone and in particular
to Messers. Loten, Shepard and Byas
for their support this term.
Richard Wareham